Autoblog Daewoo

Indian tuner turns Chevy Optra into Mustang 'Eleanor' replica

George Kennedy — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Chevrolet, Ford, India, Humor, Daewoo

If you are a big fan of automotive oddities, this may come as a little treat. If you are a Shelby or Mustang diehard, prepare to have your sensibilities violated.

The master fabricators at BigDaddyCustoms are the minds behind what you see above. At first, it appears to be a slightly misshapen custom Mustang, modeled after "Eleanor" from Gone In 60 Seconds, but upon further examination, something appears to be amiss. In fact, the custom shop, based in India, has created an Eleanor replica grafted upon a lowly Chevrolet Optra. While it may take a second for the Optra to ring a bell, you should recognize its badge-engineered sibling, the Daewoo Lacetti, used on Top Gear.

We don't know what star would opt for the Reasonably Priced Car in Shelby's clothing, but it's clearly someone more concerned with the aesthetic than the performance credentials of this automotive mash-up.

This is not BigDaddyCustoms' first foray into aping a well-known automobile. The shop recently gained notoriety for constructing a Range Rover Evoque based on a Tata Safari. It's called the Moon Rover, and we're sure has the same all-looks/no-go formula as the "Eleanor" project.

Indian tuner turns Chevy Optra into Mustang 'Eleanor' replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Chevrolet replaces Daewoo name in Korea

Noah Joseph — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, South Korea, Daewoo

Chevrolet Camaro in Korea - Click above for high-resolution image

There once was a time when Daewoo was one of the biggest companies in South Korea. It was larger than both LG and Samsung, and second only to Hyundai. But these days the name is all but gone.

The Korean government disbanded the Daewoo Group in 1999. At that point GM already owned about half of Daewoo Motors, a stake that has varied over time. Ever since, the General has used Daewoo's resources to develop and produce a range of vehicles sold under other GM divisions, principally Chevrolet, which has already replaced Daewoo in many markets to become GM's principal global brand. (The globalization of Chevrolet has escalated to such an extent that, over the course of last year, somewhere in the world, a Chevy was being sold every 7.4 seconds.)

One of the few exceptions has been in Korea itself, where the Daewoo name still means something. But that something isn't necessarily good, and so GM is phasing out the name even in the brand's own domestic market. The development has been a long time coming, and will encompass both the cars themselves and the company that builds them. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. is officially changing its name to GM Korea Co by the end of the quarter.

In an odd bit of history repeating, the company was called GM-Korea once before, after Detroit stepped in to take over half the company from Toyota, which had collaborated with what was then known as Shinjin Motor until 1972. Full details of the announcement in the press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Officially Official: Chevrolet replaces Daewoo name in Korea

Officially Official: Chevrolet replaces Daewoo name in Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy gets cracking on Cruze EV fleet testing

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, Electric, South Korea, Daewoo

Chevrolet Cruze EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chevrolet Volt hasn't yet gone on sale, but General Motors is looking at ways of expanding its electric vehicle lineup. Chevy, along with partner LG, is employing a group of all-electric cars in the form of the Cruze. The sedans are part of a demonstration fleet which is located in Seoul, South Korea and is being used to provide data in an electric vehicle research project. The goal is to gather information on driving patterns and charging behavior in addition to consumer acceptance.

The Cruze EVs, along with some Daewoo Lacetti Premieres EVs, are the first fleet of full-size electric vehicles and should provide invaluable information for The General. Staying full-size means not sacrificing cargo space, so the battery pack is mounted to the underbody, leaving the trunk area open for plenty recyclable, canvas grocery bags.

The current range of the Cruze EV is around 100 miles and the car is capable of a 0-60 run in 8.2 seconds. The Cruze EV can hit a top speed of 102.5 miles per hour. Currently, the Cruze EV can be recharged via a standard 220-volt outlet in 8 to 10 hours, however the researchers are testing "quick charge" methods to reduce that figure.

The program, which begins at the end of October, is currently a demonstration and research project for South Korea only. There have been no announcements made discussing the Cruze EV coming stateside.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze EV

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy gets cracking on Cruze EV fleet testing

Chevy gets cracking on Cruze EV fleet testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Chevy owns 94% of Uzbekistan car market for make benefit glorious nation

Chris Shunk — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, GM, Daewoo

General Motors has been the largest automaker in the United States since before many of your parents were born. And The General managed to keep its sales lead in spite of a very public government-assisted bankruptcy and the loss of four brands. But while GM's 20 percent market share remains impressive, it doesn't come close to the success the automaker has achieved in... Uzbekistan?

Inside Line reports that GM currently owns 94 percent of the Uzbekistan market, with 59,000 of the 63,000 vehicles sold so far this year. Impressive, right? Well, if you remove commercial trucking from the equation, GM's share of the market is 98.6 percent; a healthy temperature by any measure. You're probably (not) wondering how The General managed to secure the entire Uzbek market. The answer is simple: GM is part owner of a join venture plant that is capable of producing 250,000 vehicles per year. The facility was a joint venture between UzAvtoSanoat and Daewoo, and since GM controls the Korean automaker, the plant basically makes Daewoos with Bowtie badging. The facility currently produces the Chevrolet Matiz, Lacetti and Captiva (shown above).

So it appears the Uzbekistians (Uzbekistanis?) are a very loyal bunch that go to great lengths to support local jobs. Now the competition knows what to do to break Chevy's dominance; provided anyone can find Uzbekistan on a map.

[Source: Inside Line]

PSA: Chevy owns 94% of Uzbekistan car market for make benefit glorious nation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick LaCrosse rebranded as Daewoo Alpheon in South Korea

Zach Bowman — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Luxury, South Korea, Daewoo

2011 Daewoo Alpheon - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors may be shying away from badge engineering here in the United States, but that doesn't mean the company is giving up its old ways in other parts of the world. Daewoo recently unveiled its new Alpheon sedan at the Busan International Motor Show in Korea, and the car is as identical as identical gets to the 2010 Buick LaCrosse we all know and love. The Korean automaker says that its newest luxury cruiser is "based on the same architecture" as the mid-size Buick, though we would be more inclined to say Xerox couldn't come up with a better copy.

Under the hood, Korean buyers will find the same mid-range 3.0-liter gasoline V6 that American buyers enjoy. As near as we can tell, the only significant difference is that the Tri-Crest badge has been ditched in favor of a Daewoo piece. At least they went that far.

The Alpheon/LaCrosse joined the debut of the Orlando MPV on stage at Busan. According to Daewoo, the sedan will hit dealers mid-way through this year. Hit the jump for the full press-release.

Gallery: 2011 Daewoo Alpheon

[Source: Daewoo]

Continue reading Buick LaCrosse rebranded as Daewoo Alpheon in South Korea

Buick LaCrosse rebranded as Daewoo Alpheon in South Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pushing Back: GM expanding Chevrolet into Korea, Daewoo out

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM, South Korea, Daewoo

Chevrolet Camaro goes to South Korea - Click above for high-res image

General Motors decided several years ago to begin heavily promoting Chevrolet as its global mainstream brand even in markets where its existing brands like Opel and Daewoo were a dominant force. Today, at the Busan Motor Show in South Korea, GM Daewoo president Mike Arcamone announced that the Camaro would lead the way in GM's efforts to market Chevrolet in South Korea.

For now at least Chevrolet and Daewoo-branded vehicles will coexist in the Korean market. However, while we were in China last week GM officials told us that the Daewoo brand, which has been somewhat tainted by past quality issues, would eventually be phased out in favor of Chevrolet. When the new Aveo launches next year it will likely be badged as a Chevrolet even though GM Daewoo is in charge of engineering the car.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Pushing Back: GM expanding Chevrolet into Korea, Daewoo out

Pushing Back: GM expanding Chevrolet into Korea, Daewoo out originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM ups its ante in GM Daewoo

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, GM, Daewoo

GM Daewoo has four shareholders: GM, Korea Development Bank, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. When GM Daewoo put out a rights issue, only one of the four took the bite: GM, which made it rain to the tune of $412 million and raised its stake from 50.9% to 70.1%.

Neither GM's move nor the non-interest of at least two other parties is surprising. SAIC is still gun shy about certain investments after the Ssangyong debacle, while Suzuki is more concerned with being courted by VW and the Kizashi's fate in the U.S. right now. It is GM that has every reason to strengthen its ties in Asia; after all, The General sold more cars in China last month than it did at home -- and with GM Daewoo.

Daewoo engineers small cars for GM, like Chevrolet's crucial acid test known as the Cruze, and last year, all told, GM Daewoo sold 1.9 million units. The financial infusion will be used for debts and to help the company's liquidity position.

[Source: Detroit News via GM Inside News]

REPORT: GM ups its ante in GM Daewoo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu e:S plays small ball

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Daewoo

Daihatsu e:S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Daihatsu didn't just bring out its ~~big~~ little guns, it had a couple of tiny guns there as well, such as this, the Volvo C30-esque e:S. Called "a new eco-car that reveals the future role of mini vehicles," it focuses earnestly on environmental impact and "embodies the roles that mini vehicles should play." We aren't sure what that means, but it has a 660-cc engine, a total length of just over seven feet, is claimed to be able to "accommodate four adult passengers," and the whole shebang weighs 1,540 pounds. That combination will yield 70.5 mpg. Whether you wish to pay the price for that economy, well, that's for you and your bones and joints to decide. You can have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below -- it shouldn't take long...

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu e:S

Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu e:S plays small ball originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aim Higher: GM Daewoo reportedly suing TagAZ over fears they are planning to copy the Lacetti

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Government/Legal, GM, Russia, South Korea, Daewoo

In what looks like a serious-but-probably-the-norm case of industrial espionage, General Motors' South Korean Daewoo division is reportedly alleging that the Russian automaker TagAZ has tried to copy its Lacetti sedan. Backing up those allegations are the arrests of two TagAZ engineers - former Daewoo employees who are said to have taken computer files from one company to the other. A third former Daewoo employee, an executive, left notes proclaiming his innocence and then committed suicide.

The two engineers reportedly copied at least 6,000 documents outlining designs and key technologies used in the Lacetti. That information, according to Daewoo, was used by TagAZ in the creation of a car it launched this past summer in Russia. South Korean prosecutors are still investigating the case, after which Daewoo will decide if it wants to pursue the matter for criminal damages. TagAZ hasn't said anything in response to the allegations. If nothing else, this could be good practice for GM - it will now know what to do if it happens at Opel...

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Aim Higher: GM Daewoo reportedly suing TagAZ over fears they are planning to copy the Lacetti originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Chevy Spark spotted as Daewoo Matiz

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, GM, South Korea, Daewoo

Daewoo Matiz spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The folks at Noticias Automotivas have scored shots of what looks to be the next-generation Daewoo Matiz, the subcompact hatch that we know better as the Chevrolet Spark.

The budget runabout is clearly very similar to General Motors' 2007 Beat concept and is in fact bang-on the Bowtie-badged production-intent model we saw displayed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, albeit with a Daewoo-specific upper and lower grilles, less stylized fog lamps and discount looking wheels.

Inside, the motorcycle-like gauge binnacle appears to have to have made the transition to production as expected, although as we were not permitted to touch the Geneva car, we can't tell if it's a tilt/telescope assembly.

Check out the gallery of images below.

Gallery: Daewoo Matiz spy shots

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Chevy Spark

[Source: Noticias Automotivas]

Spy Shots: Chevy Spark spotted as Daewoo Matiz originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden

Noah Joseph — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:09:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, South Korea, Daewoo

Chevrolet Aveo, a.k.a Chevrolet Kalos/Daewoo Gentra/Holden Barina/Pontiac Wave - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Eyebrows raised at reports that General Motors could hold on to its British subsidiary Vauxhall even if - or, more likely, when - its German counterpart Opel would leave the family. With the model ranges of the two European GM divisions intertwined, a Vauxhall without Opel would seem like an empty shell. New reports suggest, however, that instead of re-plastering Opels with the griffin badge, the British marque could instead continue operations under GM ownership by importing products made by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.

The restructuring of Vauxhall would also likely call for greater cooperation with GM Daewoo's neighbor to the south, Holden, which otherwise stands to lose significant revenues from the disintegration of GM's global operations, with Vauxhall and Pontiac having accounted for nearly half the production of its VE Commodore, sold in the UK as the Vauxhall VXR8 and in the United States as the Pontiac G8. Holden, for its part, also recently replaced many of its Opel-based products with rebadged GM Daewoo models. In the likely absence of Opel, the General's assets in England, Australia and Korea would likely end up cooperating more closely. However with Daewoos already on the European market as Chevrolets, the realignment could effectively be the end of the bowtie in Europe.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo 5-door (EU)

[Source: Autocar]

Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 May 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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