FTA's Corner: GM Korea Trip

Last November 9, 2012, my Relationship Marketing Class, through the kindness of our Professor and former GM Korea Director, Sung Sang Lee. We visited the General Motors Korea Company Bupyeong Plant to have an insight on the Korean Automotive Industry. Around the world, South Korea ranks fifth in automobile unit production, following China, US, Japan and Germany. 

General Motors Korea Company (GM Korea Co.) is the country’s third largest automotive corporation. It is one of GM's largest manufacturing, design and technology hubs. It manufactures vehicles for both international and domestic markets. GM Korea currently has three manufacturing plants in SK which are located in Bupyeong, Gunsan and Changwon. 

Our class arrived at the GM Korea Co. office at around 10 o’clock in the morning and we were greered by Mr. Chang-Jin Lee, the Product Planning Manager. He brought us in to meet the Director, Mr. Hyung-gook Chung. Director Chung gave us a brief background of not only the Korean Automotive Industry but also the status of the global auto industry. It was very nice to learn how big the car industry is all over the world and how stiff the competition has always been and will always be between brands, companies and countries. I also got the chance to ask about the Philippine market, and he mentioned about the current hindrances in penetrating the Philippine market but is hopeful that things will be easier in the years to come. 

After Director Chung’s presentation, we went to visit the manufacturing plant (Yay!). Plant Manager Manwoo Lee took us around the plant and explained the different processes going on. Ninety-percent of cars manufactured in the plant are for the global market while ten percent is for the local market. Because of this, several brands are being manufactured inside the facility because some cars have different names per country. For security purposes, taking photos inside the plant is not allowed. It was amazing to see different cars, including Chevys, in the process of production. Some were already in the final stages of production while others were just getting in the process of tire installation. It was fun to imagine that most of those cars will be running around other countries soon.

I left the GM Korea Co. with a renewed inspiration about the future. Being a business administration graduate student, I am hopeful that I will be part of an industry where I can contribute and apply what I have learned from my undergraduate education in the Philippines and moreover, my knowledge and experiences from the Catholic University’s Graduate School of Business. I am looking forward to more trips like this in my remaining year here in Korea. As for now, this GM Korea visit is definitely one of the most meaningful and unforgettable trips I’ve had.



TA Ruth Cruz