GM to Drop Daewoo Name and Replace it with Chevrolet in South Korea

What started a few years back with the re-branding of Daewoo's portfolio to Chevrolets in select markets including Europe, is now being rolled out globally with the replacement of the nameplate in South Korea. From now on, all of the company’s new product introductions will be under the Chevrolet badge, while GM Daewoo Auto & Technology will change its company name to GM Korea Co. The Detroit automaker said the name change is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter this year.

"This important new brand strategy is designed to strengthen our commitment to the Korean market, recognizing it as one of the strongest-performing countries within GM’s global operations," said Mike Arcamone, President and CEO of GM Daewoo. “We cannot afford to sit still, and instead, choose to make a bold move with the launch of Chevrolet in Korea."

GM noted that three Daewoo models including the Alpheon (a re-badged Buick LaCrosse) sedan and the Labo and Damas mini cars, will not carry the Chevrolet nameplate and will be marketed under independent brands.

Outside the U.S., Chevrolet is planning an aggressive vehicle launch plan this year with the introduction of eight new models including the Camaro, Orlando MPV, Aveo sub-compact, plus an unnamed new SUV model and a new premium midsize sedan.

The Detroit automaker said that GM Daewoo has "played a lead role" in the design, engineering and manufacturing of the Chevrolet Cruze global compact sedan, the new Chevrolet Spark global mini-car, and the new Chevrolet Aveo global small car, adding that currently one out of every four Chevrolet vehicles is manufactured in Korea.

“Chevrolet has enjoyed success in mature markets in North America and Europe, as well as in emerging markets in Asia Pacific, CIS countries, and Latin America,” said Arcamone. “We are confident our customers in Korea will embrace Chevrolet as well.”

Daewoo G2X – GM’s Korean version of the Saturn Sky Roadster

GM’s Korean subsidiary unveiled the G2X roadster at the Busan International Motor Show (April 28 until May 7). Besides the name, the G2X is identical to the Saturn Sky Roadster & the Opel GT Roadster.

Like its American brother, the two-seater G2X features a 177 horsepower, 2.4-liter engine. Equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, the G2X hopes to attract urban drivers in the 21-35 age bracket, a marketing official at the auto show said.

Pricing details were still being set and the model is expected to hit showrooms within months, according to Korean officials.

In South Korea, some analysts say GM Daewoo is on track to unseat Kia Motors Corp. as the nation's second-largest automaker. Last year, GM Daewoo sold 1.15 million vehicles at home and abroad, compared with 1.26 million units sold by Kia Motors.

On the back of such promising results, GM Daewoo announced in March it would rehire all of the 1,725 workers laid off by their former employer, the bankrupt Daewoo Motor Co., by the end of next month.

"The greatest achievement during GM Daewoo's short history is welcoming back all of the workers that our predecessor had to let go," said Rick Labelle, vice president of GM Daewoo's commercial operations.

Daewoo Winstorm

GM Daewoo name their new medium SUV, Winstorm and announce an agreement to rehire by the end of May all 1,725 workers laid off in the 2001 restructuring plan

GM Daewoo announced that it named their edition of the Korean developed medium SUV, Winstorm. The Winstorm- a combination of the words 'Win' and 'Storm', is scheduled to debut in Korea in June. The vehicle will have a 2.0 litre diesel VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) engine and it will be available in five-seater and seven-seater editions. The car will fit somewhere in-between Hyundai's Santa Fe and Tucson models, with prices yet to be announced.

GM Chairman Rick Wagoner, now in Korea, visited the company's plant in Bupyeong, Gyeonggi Province and tested the vehicle himself. "The Winstrom will carry on the tradition of my company, which developed the world's first SUV Chevy Suburban in 1935," he said. "I believe it will play a big role in increasing our market share worldwide not only in Korea."

* The Daewoo Winstorm is practically the same car as the Chevrolet Captiva (Click on the link to see the full press release, specifications & pictures: Read more HERE & HERE). This medium SUV will also base an Opel version for Europe and a Saturn version aimed for the USA

GM DAEWOO REHIRES LAID OFF WORKERS

Union and management representatives of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology on Friday announced an agreement to rehire by the end of May all 1,725 workers laid off in restructuring in 2001, when GM acquired Daewoo Motors. GM Daewoo is the first company in the country that has ever hired back every last worker it rationalized out.

In the past five years, GM Daewoo has been reborn as an entirely different firm. Its sales last year increased 30 percent from the previous year and its exports 50 percent. As a result, GM Daewoo netted profits of W64.7 billion (US$64.7 million), a record even counting the years when it was plain Daewoo Motors. That success is due to vibrant exports taking advantage of GM's worldwide marketing networks, and particularly to hugely improved exports to China.

Now GM Daewoo is able to rehire all the 1,700-plus workers it laid off. The firm plans to move from the current single shift at the Bupyeong Plant into two shifts in June, when all five GM Daewoo plants will go into full operation.

Chevrolet Epica 2007

After the Korean preview of GM’s global mid sized sedan (Daewoo Tosca), Chevrolet Europe unveiled its version of the car which in terms of design, differs from the Tosca only in the front mask. Other minor changes include a revised setup of the suspension. As I noted in January, the US will probably get this car in the form of the 2007 Suzuki Verona

New Chevrolet Epica, World Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show:The new Chevrolet Epica is the company’s first mid-size model to be launched in Europe with two refined, transversally mounted in-line six cylinder engines. It will celebrate its world premiere at the Geneva motor show (March 2-12, 2006) and will be launched on the European market from June 2006. Epica will offer a comprehensive range of comfort and safety equipment as standard and exceptional value for money.

Dimensionally (length/width/height: 4,805/1,810/1,450 mm), this front-wheel drive mid-size saloon has grown significantly compared to its predecessor, the Evanda. It has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. The most striking design features of the four-door Epica are its rising, wedge-shaped side contours with a character line that runs on the upper half of the door, the grab-type door handles, the chrome grille with a substantial cross strut carrying the bold Chevrolet bow-tie emblem, large wrap-around headlamps and equally striking rear lamps. Standard safety features of the new Epica are ABS, driver and passenger airbags, and side and head airbags.

Buyers will initially have a choice of two engine types: Extremely smooth straight-six gasoline units with a capacity of either 2.0 or 2.5 litres (142 and 155 hp) will be available at launch with a version of Chevrolet’s all-new family of common rail turbo diesel engines coming later. The six cylinder gasoline engine is probably the shortest six cylinder available in the world. This enables the whole power unit to be neatly packaged in a lightweight transverse configuration. Both engine types are available with a five-speed manual or a sophisticated new five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Epica / Daewoo Tosca

The all new Chevrolet (for Europe) /Daewoo (for Korea & Asia) / Suzuki (for the US) medium sedan will be equipped with 2 6cylinder engines, 2.0 & 2.5 litres. In Europe it will also be offered with a diesel engine.

Chevrolet Epica Press Release

Chevrolet Epica Press Release

Monday, February 27, 2006 | Categories | Daewoo |

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Press Release: New mid-size category Chevrolet Epica with a straight six engine

Geneva. The world premiere of the Chevrolet Epica at the Geneva Motor Show (March 2 – 12, 2006) will be accompanied by three other important "firsts". To begin with, it is the first car that Chevrolet Europe will put on the market with a six-cylinder engine. Secondly, it will be the first transversally installed in-line six in the mid-size category in Europe, and finally, in early 2007, it will become available with a diesel engine. Boasting a comprehensive range of comfort and safety equipment, the new four-door Epica is scheduled for distribution in early summer 2006.

With its sporty yet stylish contours, the Evanda successor will suit the taste of European drivers. In the clearly organized front section, attention focuses in particular on design details like the large wrap-around, clear-glass headlamps, the powerful-looking cross strut with its large Chevrolet emblem in the chrome-plated grille, and the fog lamps integrated harmoniously like spotlights into the bumper.

The Epica also radiates a clean, modern look from the side. Its wedge-shaped profile is dominated by a striking character line that runs along the upper half of the door, extending to the front and rear wings. The effect is emphasized by the fact that the grab-type body-coloured door handles are positioned exactly on this character line. Another eyecatching feature are the large outer mirrors with integrated indicator lamps. The rear view is dominated by the large bumper and the tail lamps with circular lamp lenses, joined by a wide chrome strut.

Compared with its predecessor, the Evanda, the front-wheel Epica has grown in stature. The length of 4,804 mm (plus 34 mm), width of 1,807 mm and height of 1,449 mm, in combination with the wheelbase of 2,700 mm, guarantee a generous amount of space inside for the passengers and luggage. For the latter, the trunk has a capacity of 435 l (according to the VDA standard). With its asymmetrically split, folding rear seat backrest and an armrest opening for such items as skis, the new Epica is also well equipped for carrying difficult items.

Safety: Stable passenger compartment, six airbags and ABS brake system

The Epica has a modern chassis with McPherson suspension struts at the front and a multi-link rear suspension. They are accompanied by a highly efficient brake unit with four disk brakes as standard (ventilated at the front), four-channel ABS and electronic brake-power distribution. The standard safety package for the Epica also includes many passive safety features like the rigid passenger cell (made 40 percent of high-strength steel) plus front airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger and side and curtain airbags.

The equipment in the new Chevrolet sedan corresponds to that of an upper mid-size car. The Epica is available in two equipment versions, the LS and LT. In the pleasantly styled interior, an ergonomically designed cockpit with a large display for the board computer (LT) makes driving both more comfortable and easier. The basic LS version has a height-adjustable driver's seat, electrical window raisers at the front and back, remote-controlled central locking, thermal insulation glass, air-conditioning and a leather steering wheel. Optional accessories include light alloy wheels (up to 17") and audio units with an MP3 player.

The top model, the Epica LT, has additional features that include automatic air-conditioning and cruise control. The already comprehensive selection of equipment can be extended even further with other comfort and safety options that include the 8x adjustable driver's seat, full leather upholstery, traction control and a parking aid at the rear.

Engine: Transversally installed smooth-running power plants plus new automatic transmission

Initially, the front-wheel drive Epica will be powered by one of two six-cylinder gasoline engines with displacements of 2.0 and 2.5 litres. The transversally mounted in-line engines run outstandingly smoothly. It is all down to the construction: The crankshaft drive has perfect mass balance, which means that - unlike in a V-arrangement - neither free forces of inertia nor moments of inertia send annoying vibrations to the drive train.

Just as impressive as the smoothness of the 142 hp and 157 hp six-cylinder engines is their acceleration. They take the Epica from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.8 and 10.1 sec respectively*. The 2.0-litre engine is delivered as standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while the top model comes complete with a new five-speed automatic transmission that is also available as an option for the smaller engine. The MVEG combined fuel consumption for the 2.0-litre six-cylinder version is 9.0 l per 100 km, with automatic transmission 9.5 l.

In early 2007, Chevrolet will add the option of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel to its list of engines. This power plant has been developed jointly by GM Daewoo and GM Powertrain. It generates 150 hp and develops its maximum torque of 310 Nm at 2,000 rpm. A particle filter will also be available.

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Chevrolet Captiva SUV -official

Alter a long period of wait, Chevrolet previews its all new compact SUV, Captiva. Co-developed with Daewoo, the Captiva retains the prototype’s (S3X) design theme. The Captiva is one of GM’s worldwide car projects as it will be sold in Europe (as Chevrolet), Asia (as Daewoo) and the US (as Saturn).

Oficial press release:

The Captiva will also be the first model in Chevrolet’s European range available with an electronic stability program (ESP). It debuts at the Geneva motor show (March 2 - 12, 2006) and will be available in showrooms across Europe starting in June.

Dimenisons

The Captiva offers expressive design and a spacious, convenient interior featuring high quality fabrics and materials. The new compact SUV measures 4,639/1,849/1,726 mm (length/width/height) and with a wheelbase of 2,707 mm. It will be available with seven or five seats respectively.

4wd system

Customers will also have the choice between front-wheel and four-wheel-drive variants. The latter variant features an-active-on demand, four-wheel-drive-system. As driving conditions demand, the rear axle is instantly employed via an electronically controlled electro-magnetic coupling to give maximum traction. The system also seamlessly interacts with the ESP and ABS systems, enhancing driver control of the vehicle and safety margins. The ESP itself has additional functions like HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist), HDC (Hill Descent Control) and ARP (Anti-Rollover Protection).

Engine specifications

Initially, three transversally mounted engines will be available for the Captiva. They include the brand new, state-of-the-art common rail diesel engine jointly developed by GM Daewoo Auto&Technology Company, GM Powertrain and VM Motori. In its first application, the 16 valve unit offers 150 hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 310 Nm at 2000 rpm.. In the ECE mix, fuel consumption is 8.1 L per 100 km. It is the first application of a family of diesel powertrains that will become available in other Chevrolet products in Europe, beginning in 2006.

The base engine is a 2.4 litre in-line DOHC four cylinder, delivering 142 hp at 5,200 rpm and a torque maximum of 220 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The Captiva 2.4 average fuel consumption is 10.8 L per 100 km. The top-of-the line 3.2 litre V6 engine produces 225 hp at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque is 302 Nm at 3500 rpm.

Chevrolet Epica - Suzuki Verona - Daewoo Tosca 2007

The Daewoo Tosca was officially presented in Korea and I updated the photo album with new pictures. The Koreanj mid size sedan will be sold in Europe as Chevrolet Epica while it is also rumored that it will come to the US a 2007 Suzuki Verona. Although Korean is definitely not one of my strong points, with the help of web-translators I managed to come up with the engine specifications. There are two inline 6cylinder engines available:

2.0 liter with 144 hp / 6.300 rpm & 19,2 kgm torque / 4.600 rpm

2.5 liter with 157 hp / 5.800 rpm & 24,0 kgm torque / 4.000 rpm

The European edition will be previewed in the Geneva Motor Show