GGM Drives Local Economy with Mass Production of Export Vehicles

Achieving Production Targets Despite Six Union Strikes
First Round of Recruitment This Year Sees 26.1 to 1 Competition
Contributing to Economic Growth and Job Creation in Gwangju and Jeonnam

Commemorative photo of the first export shipment of Casper electric vehicles. Provided by GGM

Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), despite a series of labor union strikes this year, is contributing to revitalizing the local economy by beginning mass production of Casper vehicles for export to Japan. In response to the surge in domestic and international orders for the Casper and workforce shortages, the company is conducting open recruitment, creating high-quality jobs that are like "rain in a drought."

According to GGM on the 9th, the Gwangju Global Motors branch of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Metal Workers' Union has held six strikes since declaring a strike in front of Gwangju City Hall on January 10.

During each strike, office staff were deployed to the production site, ensuring operations continued without disruption. In fact, GGM achieved its production target of 8,700 units in January and February, and production is proceeding as planned this month as well.

Additionally, following last year's start of mass production for European exports, GGM began mass production of vehicles for export to Japan this month. To enhance quality competitiveness, 26 employees visited automobile factories in Japan, a leading country in the industry, from the 5th to the 7th for three days and two nights to benchmark quality improvement and management techniques.

Amid a severe job shortage, GGM announced its first round of 2025 open recruitment on its website on the 19th of last month, opening doors for local youth employment. As of the application deadline on the 5th, 867 people applied for 33 positions, resulting in an average competition rate of 26.1 to 1. The large number of local applicants is attributed to the employment cliff caused by the economic downturn and the lack of high-quality jobs in Gwangju and Jeonnam.

The local business community analyzes GGM's management performance, saying, "This is because the second-term management, appointed in December 2023 and early 2024, have demonstrated their abundant capabilities and experience accumulated as global automotive management experts, having worked for over 30 years at world-class car companies and operated automobile factories in the US, Europe, and China over the past year at GGM."

A GGM official stated, "Despite several union strikes, the production line continues to operate normally because most employees adhere to the labor-management coexistence development agreement they signed upon joining, with only a few participating in the strikes. We believe that continued communication with production site employees will ensure that the remaining staff also faithfully uphold the coexistence development agreement."