KOREA: Korea to Build Car for Senior Citizens

SOEUL (Chosun Daily), June 25, 2007: Senior citizen-friendly automobiles will hit the market starting in 2012, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Construction and Transportation and the auto industry. The government will invest W25 billion (US$1=W937) from August to July 2012 in developing cars tailored to meet the demands of older drivers. Of the investment, the government will shoulder W14.1 billion and private carmakers W10.8 billion. The Ministries of Transportation, Health and Welfare, and Gender Equality and Family will be in charge of distributing the cars. Some U.S., Japanese and European cars come with a few options to help seniors drive, but the development of a car designed specifically for older people is unprecedented. The seniors car will feature convenient changes and functions including an oval-shaped steering wheel, electric parking brake and easy-to-use instrument panel. As the addition of such options can drive the price of the car up, the government plans to give tax breaks and insurance benefits to drivers older than 65. The government decided to develop the senior-friendly cars because it feels an urgent need to create a safer driving environment for older Koreans, as the country is turning into an aging society at a faster pace than Western countries. Copyright (c) 2007 The Chosun Ilbo. All rights reserved.