À̹ÌÁö È®´ë South Korean auto dealers of German luxury carmaker Porsche will become the first union from a foreign automaker to go under the militant umbrella Korean Metal Workers¡¯ Union, raising concerns of the country¡¯s hard-line unionized movement spilling over to foreign manufacturers.
According to industry sources on Sunday, about 50 union members of Stuttgart Sports Cars Ltd. (SSCL), an authorized dealer of Porsche to Korea, have decided to join the Korean Metal Workers¡¯ Union, which accepted their membership earlier this month.
Industry observers noted the rise of unionized action from foreign automakers in Korea following their growing market presence in recent years.
Porsche Korea sold 2,163 cars in the first half of this year, up 36 percent from the same period a year ago. Its dealers have reportedly been at odds with management in their demand for a bigger slice of profits in line with the rise in sales.
Last month, 47 Porsche Korea dealers filed a lawsuit against the automaker and SSCL for loss in sales from the company¡¯s emissions test rigging, demanding compensation of 5 million won ($4,427) per person. Sales of seven Porsche models, including the popular Cayenne SUV, were halted in late 2016 after they were found to have been fitted with emissions defect devices to improve test results.
Local auto industry officials are worried that Porsche Korea¡¯s actions will encourage other foreign automakers to follow suit, with Korean Metal Workers¡¯ Union, emboldened by the new membership, revving up recruitment efforts.
Imported car sales topped 140,000 units in Korea in the first six-month period and are expected to reach a record annual high of 280,000 this year.
By Kang Young-woon and Kim Hyo-jin
[¨Ï Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]