Have you seen the latest Kia TV ad? How? Why? What? When? Where? I should think these questions are familiar to the chairman of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, who’s just been sentenced to three years in the slammer for embezzlement and fraud.
He will also have been asked “How much?”, and in case you are wondering, Chairman Chung (or should than be Bhung?) was convicted for embezzlement totalling around 100 million US dollars. So where is he now? Languishing in some damp, rat-infested hell-hole reserved for cheats and fraudsters? Nope, he is on bail, foot loose and fancy free, and still chairman of the company where he continues to pull all the strings.
Apparently, company executives were expecting Chairman Bhung to receive only a fine and to be ordered to spend six months driving a Kia Picanto. “Three years is a bit harsh,” said a spokesman, adding: “I should think six months in a Picanto is enough for anyone.”
In the old days, we used to think that in naming the Hyundai Pony, the company was invoking cockney rhyming slang. Now I’m wondering if it might have been a reference to a £25 back-hander. In view of inflation, perhaps we should look out for a Hyundai Monkey. Meanwhile, we are told that overseas Kia and Hyundai customers will not be affected by the verdict. So if you want to continue funding Chairman Bhung, you are free to do so. But it might be worth asking your Kia or Hyundai dealer if they give a discount for cash.
I think the judge may have confused the sentence with ’standard’ new car warranties. Aren’t KIA now offering 7 years?
massimo | 06 Feb 07 - 14:37Massimo - I think Kia dealers view it as seven years hard labour.
Graham Whyte | 15 Feb 07 - 12:28