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| A Hyundai Motor luxury Equus sedan waits for Korean President Park Geun-hye to arrive at Brazil's Brasilia International Airport, Thursday. The President used the bullet-proof Equus during her three-day visit that ended on April 25. The vehicle was provided at Cheong Wa Dae's request — the first time Park has used a Korean vehicle on official overseas visits. / Yonhap |
By Park Jin-hai
Hyundai Motor's luxury sedan Equus has been chosen as President Park Geun-hye's car on her Brazil visit.
Park used the bullet proof Equus sedan all throughout her three-day visit to Brazil between April 23 and 25, company officials said Sunday.
This is the first time the President has driven in a local manufacturer's car on her official overseas mission since she took office in 2013.
Customarily, presidents on official visit use vehicles provided by the host nation. This time, however, a Hyundai was provided at the request of Cheong Wa Dae.
The presidential office's pick of Equus reflects its intent to promote Hyundai Motor that has set up a production base and is working to expand its presence there.
"As the head of state has chosen the Equus sedan, it will lift Hyundai Motor's image greatly in both nations," said a company official.
"One of purposes of the presidential visit is the revitalization of the economy. Park's use of local companies' products will help encourage those manufacturers," one presidential aide said.
Hyundai Motor has been operating a Brazil plant from September 2012. Its production capacity has increased to 180,000 units last year from 160,000 2012.
Hyundai is the sixth largest carmaker in Brazil. It sold 237,134 units last year, with a 7.12 percent market share.
