Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Britain has almost 1 million young people not in work or education – here’s what evidence shows can change that 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says AI Investment Boom Is Just Beginning as NVDA Shares Surge 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Why a ‘rip-off’ degree might be worth the money after all – research study 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Steps Down After Layoffs 
Surpassing well-established foreign brands, Volvo clinches the top spot in South Korea's imported automobile market, according to the Korea Economic Daily Imported Car Service Index (KICSI). With a score of 75.74 out of 100, Volvo's exceptional after-sales service - particularly its swift repairs, precise diagnostics, and state-of-the-art facilities - emerges as a key driver of customer satisfaction.
The victory is Volvo's first-ever since the index's inception in 2015. This accomplishment can be attributed to Volvo's outstanding consumer satisfaction with its precise diagnostic capabilities, swift repair services, and state-of-the-art facilities.
In the previous survey, Lexus held the top position, but this time, it slipped to second place, primarily due to the fastest repair service, averaging only 7.7 days. Toyota followed closely behind, earning praise for their timely service and commitment to fulfilling promises.
The KICSI, a biannual survey of 1,100 imported car drivers, assesses their level of satisfaction with after-sales services provided by carmakers. The index evaluates various factors, including insurance premiums, repair duration, complaint volume, and service infrastructure.
Breaking down the results, Tesla ranked 13th on the index's qualitative indicator, falling below the average of imported car brands in South Korea due to longer repair times than other automakers.
Mercedes-Benz, last year's third-best-selling car brand in the country, slipped to seventh place in the latest KICSI overall ranking. The decline was attributed to higher insurance premiums and repair costs. Porsche, which had held the top spot in the previous four surveys, dropped to fifth place in the latest ranking, while Audi also experienced a slight slip to 13th place.
On the brighter side, BMW saw a significant jump from 13th to 9th place, and Jaguar and Volkswagen witnessed remarkable improvements, skyrocketing to sixth and tenth place, respectively.
In addition to its after-sales achievements in South Korea, Volvo garnered global attention by releasing its groundbreaking Volvo EX30, which simultaneously holds the titles of the most affordable, smallest, and fastest Volvo model. This remarkable addition expands Volvo's product lineup and appeals to a broader customer base in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Remarkably, the Volvo EX30 seamlessly integrates with the current subcompact electric vehicle market, joining the ranks of competitive options like the Chevy Bolt, Bolt EUV, and Kona Electric.
