GM Daewoo Previews Major Product Offensive

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) will begin its first major product offensive this year, introducing nine new vehicles over the next 15 months. Eight of the new vehicles were previewed for the Korean media at GM Daewoo's Bupyeong facility in Incheon, including the all-new M200 Matiz, which began production earlier this month; the imported Statesman large car, which goes on sale in the first quarter of 2005; and the C100 SUV, which begins production early in 2006.

"The models on display represent in part the result of a major product offensive that has been under way since GM Daewoo's formation two years ago," said GM Daewoo President and CEO Nick Reilly. "They show the direction of our company over the next couple of years as well as the excellent progress that has been made in creating a broad range of new products in Korea that will meet the varying needs of local consumers."

The cute Daewoo Matiz is Korea's most popular mini-car, and is sold around the world under both the Chevrolet and Pontiac brands. Previewed by the Chevrolet M3X Concept at the 2004 Paris Mondial de l'Auto, the M200 Matiz has been completely redesigned, including a range of Euro IV-compliant engines.

Also previewed at the Paris show in September was the 3-door version of the T200 Kalos, due to go on sale early this year. Major changes are due for the revised T250 Kalos launched later this year, with larger wheels and a bolder front fascia.

The new WL Statesman large sedan will be aimed at the Hyundai Equus and SsangYong Chairman in the Korean domestic market. Manufactured by General Motors' Australian subsidiary Holden Ltd. — GM Daewoo's largest shareholder — the Statesman will be equipped with 2.8 L and 3.6 L versions of GM's Global V6 and the 5L40-E 5-sped automatic.

New versions of the J200 Lacetti will also be introduced. In addition to sedan, 5-door hatch and the new Lacetti Wagon launched late in 2004 will be a new 3-door hatch.

Also previewed was the replacement for the Daewoo Magnus mid-size sedan (V250), and Daewoo's first SUV since the separation from SsangYong, the as yet unnamed C100. First previewed by the Chevrolet S3X concept in Paris, the Daewoo version features its own distinct design which may be shared with GM Europe's Opel and Vauxhall brands. Due to begin production in early 2006, the C100 will feature Daewoo's first diesel engines, 1.5 and 2.0 L diesels to be produced at a new facility in Kunsan.

In addition to showing its new products, GM Daewoo also opened up its new advanced design facilities to the nation's media for the first time ever.

"GM Daewoo has a full complement of world-class engineering and design capabilities," said David Lyon, GM Daewoo and GM Asia Pacific Executive Director of Design. "This capability has not only benefited GM Daewoo, but has resulted in us becoming a key component of the General Motors global design organization. This combination is mutually beneficial giving us unmatched speed and resources for creating tomorrow's cars and trucks."