Imported Cars Are Also Accelerating Their AI Transformation... Samjong KPMG: "Regulatory and Data Protection Risks Are Rising Together"

[Financial News] As competition in the global auto industry rapidly shifts and artificial intelligence (AI) spreads across the imported-car business, the management strategies of South Korea's imported-automobile industry are reaching a turning point. Analysts say that, alongside the expanded use of AI, managing new risks involving labeling and advertising, personal data protection, accounting, tax, and customs has emerged as a key challenge.
Samjong KPMG announced on the 6th that it will hold the 2026 Imported Automobile Seminar at POSCO Tower Yeoksam in Seoul on the 20th to examine changes in the global auto industry and the domestic imported-car market, as well as major management risks.
The seminar will go beyond a simple market outlook by addressing the AI transformation and regulatory and financial risks facing the imported-car industry in one place. It will consist of three sessions covering market trends, risk management, and accounting and tax.
In the first session, Kim Na-rae, a senior researcher at Samjong KPMG, will analyze major changes in the global auto industry and trends in South Korea's imported-car market before offering an outlook for the market. Managing Director Cho Yong-ho will introduce AI technologies applicable to the imported-car business and practical use cases.
Regulatory risks will also be a major topic. Managing Director Jang Sung-won will review the legal and regulatory risks imported-car companies may face, including violations of the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising, and discuss possible responses. Managing Director Changmin Lee will present key data protection issues that are becoming increasingly important during the auto industry's digital transformation, along with management measures.
In the accounting, tax, and customs sessions, Managing Director Choi Jun-sung will address major accounting issues in the imported-car industry, while Managing Director Cho Young-seo will explain key tax risks and response strategies based on recent tax audit cases.
The seminar will also cover customs issues arising from the transition to electric vehicles. Executive Vice President Kim Tae-joo will discuss recent changes to the customs system and matters companies should review during import and export transactions, focusing on cases involving electric vehicles and after-sales service (AS) parts.
Byun Young-hoon, head of Samjong KPMG's Audit Division, said, "As competition in the global auto industry changes rapidly and the use of AI technology expands, imported-automobile companies need to comprehensively review not only market changes but also various management risks, including regulatory and data protection risks, as well as accounting, tax, and customs risks."
He added, "We hope this seminar will help the imported-car industry understand the direction of market changes and develop practical responses to major management issues."
Meanwhile, Samjong KPMG established its Automotive Division in 2011, becoming the first firm in the industry to do so. More than 130 automotive-industry professionals currently provide accounting, tax, finance, and consulting services to automakers and parts manufacturers.
[email protected] Kim Hyun-jung Reporter