Hyundai's Staria minivans accompany North's Kim Jong-un in Russia

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【Summary】North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was escorted by four Hyundai Staria minivans during his visit to Russia. The vehicles, which had Russian license plates, were seen in footage aired on Korean Central Television. This is significant as North Korean broadcasters rarely show logos of South Korean companies. The Staria is Hyundai's first minivan in 22 years and was introduced in 2021. Hyundai was the top automaker in Russia before the war in Ukraine but has suffered losses since then.

FutureCar Staff Sep 21, 2023 9:22 AM PT

Hyundai's Staria minivans accompany North's Kim Jong-un in Russia

During North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia, four Hyundai Motor's Staria minivans were spotted serving as security cars. The footage of these vehicles was broadcasted on Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central Television in a documentary about Kim's trip. The scene showed the Starias with Hyundai Motor emblems escorting Kim's Mercedes-Benz as he traveled to Vladivostok after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport on September 13.

It is believed that the Russian government provided these security vehicles, as they had Russian license plates. This detail was reported by South Korean news outlets. It is worth noting that North Korean broadcasters typically edit or blur out symbols of South Korean companies in their footage. However, in this case, the Hyundai Motor logos were visible.

The Staria, introduced in 2021, features a futuristic design and spacious interior. It is Hyundai's first minivan in 22 years since the Trajet XG. Prior to the war in Ukraine, Hyundai was the top automaker in Russia. Its Saint-Petersburg plant produced Solaris sedans and Creta SUVs with an annual production capacity of 200,000. However, due to the war, the plant halted operations in March, resulting in significant losses for Hyundai's Russia subsidiary.

Overall, the presence of Hyundai's Staria minivans serving as security cars for Kim Jong-un during his visit to Russia highlights the ongoing relationship between the two countries in various sectors, including the automotive industry.