Filed under: Convertibles, GM, Saturn, Misc. Auto Shows
G2X Roadster means Sky is falling on Daewoo
Never thought we'd see the Saturn Sky rebadged as a Daewoo, but that day has come. Enter the G2X roadster, intro'd at the Busan Motor Show. Like the Sky and the Solstice, Daewoo is using the vehicle as a halo and a way to lure in some younger buyers as it narrows the gap between it and Kia Motors. This, in addition to Opel's version of the Sky sold in Europe as the GT and perhaps a Holden model to be sold sometime in Australia (or so we assume) officially makes the Sky a world car.
[Source: Edmunds InsideLine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AR 1:30PM (5/06/2006)
Has GM ever heard of too much of a good thing? The Solstice and Sky are great, but rebadging the Sky as a Daewoo is streching things. On the other hand, I'm sure Saab could use a version of the Solstice/Sky to shake up it's image. Right? Wait a minute, isn't this called BADGE ENGINEERING?
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Adam 1:33PM (5/06/2006)
At least its marketplace exclusive badge engineering. Most consumers will never know their Opel is available as a Saturn or Daewoo.
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Jason 1:55PM (5/06/2006)
This badge-engineering thing...did anyone actually believe GM when they said they'd stop it? Anyone? Show of hands?
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Talis 2:00PM (5/06/2006)
I agree with Adam. If GM rebadges a car for a marketplace that's fine. It would be nice if there were slight changes to the design though... Oh well at least it is the Sky, and not the Solstice that is getting copied hundreds of times.
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WolfgangNC 2:27PM (5/06/2006)
Okay, question is this coming to the USA or is this just in the asian market? If it is coming to the USA, then I agree with AR. I know the cars are hot and all; but having 3 cars within the same class is alittle over kill to me; but hey, wait until the Camaro comes out. We'll be see it as a GTO/Firebird, Regal Grand National, Eldorado, and of course Holden will have it's version, which isn't that big a deal since it stay down under.
At least GM is badge engineering cool/good cars now.
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Howard Kerr 2:56PM (5/06/2006)
Since GM has already pretty much admitted that future Saturn products will be "lightly tweaked" versions of Opel/Vauxhall products, and given that this car will most likely be sold ONLY in Asia...what's the problem?
It only becommes a problem when it turns up on an American Daewoo dealer's lot. Oh, wait, there aren't any American Daewoo dealers anymore. (Please note sarcasm.)
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Graham 3:16PM (5/06/2006)
Like others have said... this is regional badge engineering. Daewoos are not sold in Europe any longer (where the Opel version lives) and they sure aren't sold in the US.
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Mike 4:04PM (5/06/2006)
It's not badge "engineering". It simply doesn't make sense to try and establish a brand in a market when one already exists. Especially just to sell a low volume nich vehicle. It should be refered to as "Branding". Every single company (non-automotive included) that's global does this.
So a pontiac becomes a chevy when sold in the middle east. A buick becomes a chevy when sold in europe. And a saturn becomes a Daewoo when sold in asia. Makes no difference to the consumer other than they are buying a new product from a name plate they already recognize (and hopefully trust).
GM has pretty much abandoned the "badge" engineering of years past; where a Chevy and GMC where only different in badges. Now pretty much every vehicle has a unique interior and differentiated exterior. There are exceptions here or there but when you make 56 vehicles there's bound to be something to pick on.
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Whydrive 6:49PM (5/06/2006)
Why don't you idiots criticize Honda for badge engineering when they tried to sneak a Honda Accord as an Acura TSX? Geez...dumbasses don't think before they bash GM.
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FireSermon 7:16PM (5/06/2006)
What the hell's the matter with GM? It's obvious that the Hummer line needs a roadster.
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Tyre 11:52PM (5/06/2006)
#9 It's one thing to throw a different badge on the same product. It is however, a completly different matter when you throw a "Luxury" badge on an upgraded version. Cadillacs are just improved chevy's but they don't get crap for that. As they shouldn't! Get off your anti-import soap box and face the facts. All your doing by making these arguments is pereptuating the sterotype that domestic drivers are ignorant, uneducated hicks. Do some homework, or at least think things through before you post them.
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beyaz glm 6:23AM (5/07/2006)
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.
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whofan 8:12AM (5/07/2006)
"Cadillacs are just improved chevy's"
Oh really?
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Mike 8:17AM (5/07/2006)
Tyre,
Your on to something. Following your chain of thought the Chevy cobalt is just and improved corvette. A lexus is just an improved toyota. An inifiniti is just an improved nissan. Wow. How profound.
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Anonymous 3:20PM (5/07/2006)
I wonder how they are going to market this car in Korea...
"Daewoo presents its first sports car...Featuring Yankee Engineering, Italian Design, and Crappy Korea Construction...The G2X"
:-)
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Bob 11:56AM (5/08/2006)
"Cadillacs are just improved chevy's"
Uh, actually no, with the exception of the shared platform between the 'Vette and the XLR and the trucks, the cars do not share their platforms or engines for that matter, with Chevy.
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Alain 1:36AM (5/20/2006)
The badge engineering thing needs to stop. Once again, GM drops the ball.
Pontiac gets its own unique looking model, the Solstice...
But the SAME DAMN CAR for Opel, Saturn, Daewoo.... DAMNIT, LUTZ... would it be THAT COSTLY to at least give each brand a SLIGHTLY different look?!
I WAS looking forward to the Sky Redline coming out, but now I'm thinking of taking my once diehard GM loyalty to Japan...
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