Korea puts a tax on all foreign goods coming into the country. I think, again think - I don't know for sure, for cars, it is 100% the price of the car. Also, Korea limits the amount of Japanese goods available. That is why you will see a few more Volvo, BMW, MB than Honda, Nissian, Mitsu. A matter of fact, I don't remember seeing any japanese dealerships where as in my wife's hometown of Changwon I seen a Ford, Volvo, and a Chrysler.

 

Also there is a certain level of distaste to the japaneese(cause of the war) and the car companies in Korea are very close to the government and regulation making. One of my partners in Korea use to be an executive for Hyundai and he has told me some pretty cool stories on anti-japaneese practices.

 

Partially correct. Currently, import duty taxes runs at 32% (customs duty 8%+ value added tax 10%+ special excise tax 14%). It used to run much higher at 100%. The Korean chaebol's influence have placed such import duty taxes to control the automobile market share, hence you don't see too many imports on the street. MBs and BMWs are mainly for the well-to-do. Forget about sport compact cars unless you are filthy rich. I have seen a couple like the Mazda FD, Skyline R34. No evo's.

There are plenty of Japanese dealers like the Lexus. You can find plenty in Itaewon and Apgujong in Seoul. Hondas are around but I don't know who their distributers are. The Samsung SM3 and SM5 are in reality the Nissan sentra and maxima respectively but remember that Nissan really is Renault. But they are technically Japanese.

 

well, got orders today. my evo will be @ Osan next Feb.

 

Wow. Great. I may be working my way to Osan as well and also bring my Evo. Its also silver! Maybe create local Evo meet for only 2?

 

I know some people that have a tuner shop there. They hooked up my eagle talon for free when I was there 3 yrs ago. They were just happy to work on something other than a hyundia or kia.

 

I think it said something like "I can't really write in korean, can you/do you know how to write in English. Where are you in Korea."

Blah.. my Korean sucks... if you wanna speak an asian language, pick Japanese =). Then I won't have to think so hard

 

Where in North Jersey are you from?

 

That says, " i can't type english can anyone type in korean?" Then says "where are you in korean now?"

 

South Hackensack, NJ.

 

jkim, mump can you guys add another silver evo to your club when they get here? my silver evo arrived 2 weeks ago. im down at yongsan

 

dude, i and the evo don't get there til feb - i will give you a holler when i get there.

 

ill be here until at least september next year.

 

irGuys,

Don't have my orders yet but I will get there maybe in july next year. Sorry, but it would be quite awesome to have evos rule the streets of seoul. Maybe kick some hyundai ***....and I'm korean! Thread subscribed....

 

hyundais..ha some of the tiburon/tuscanis are nice looking but dont know if they are fast. ive seen 2 evos. both japanese. a couple nice supras, ferrari's, a lot of porches (even drove behind a carrera gt. that thing sounded sweet.) skylines, sylvias, more tiburon/tuscanis, theres a lambo out here somewhere but i havent seen it. srt-4s (only on base) talked to one of the srt4 guys and he said there is a big meet at namsan (seoul tower) every weekend. all types of cars and a good showing. he said up to 300 cars. and the police block off the road for them. ill have to check and see if its true.