Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: GM ups its ante in GM Daewoo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/report-gm-ups-its-ante-in-gm-daewoo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/report-gm-ups-its-ante-in-gm-daewoo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/25/report-gm-ups-its-ante-in-gm-daewoo/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzecruzedaewoodaewoo lacettiDaewooLacettigeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgm daewooGmDaewoolacettisouth koreaSouthKoreaSun, 25 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Aim Higher: GM Daewoo reportedly suing TagAZ over fears they are planning to copy the Lacetti]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/aim-higher-gm-daewoo-reportedly-suing-tagaz-over-fears-they-are/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/aim-higher-gm-daewoo-reportedly-suing-tagaz-over-fears-they-are/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/aim-higher-gm-daewoo-reportedly-suing-tagaz-over-fears-they-are/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiadaewoodaewoo lacettiDaewooLacettigm daewooGmDaewooindustrial espionageIndustrialEspionagekorealacettilegalrussiasedansouth koreaSouthKoreatagazWed, 23 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Chevy Spark spotted as Daewoo Matiz]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/spy-shots-chevy-spark-spotted-as-daewoo-matiz/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/spy-shots-chevy-spark-spotted-as-daewoo-matiz/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/spy-shots-chevy-spark-spotted-as-daewoo-matiz/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletChevrolet BeatChevrolet SparkChevroletBeatChevroletSparkChevyChevy BeatChevy SparkChevyBeatChevySparkDaewooDaewoo MatizDaewooMatizMatizspy shotsSpyShotsMon, 29 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Chevrolet Aveo replacement postponed until 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/23/report-chevrolet-aveo-replacement-postponed-until-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/23/report-chevrolet-aveo-replacement-postponed-until-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/23/report-chevrolet-aveo-replacement-postponed-until-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



According to Reuters, Chevrolet's Aveo replacement has been postponed until January 2011 due to the well-publicized financial troubles at General Motors and its Korean subsidiary, Daewoo. Previously, the Aveo's replacement, codenamed T300, had been expected to bow in April of 2010.

Over the first four months of 2009, Daewoo has reported a whopping 44.5-percent decline in total vehicle sales, which comes as particularly bad news for The General since the Korean automaker accounts for a quarter of GM's total production. Much of that slumping production is being lost to rivals like Hyundai and Kia in oh-so-important emerging market of China, where Daewoo's sales dropped by 3.2-percent even in the face of an expanding market.

In effort to keep the doors open in the face of such heavy losses, GM Daewoo is reportedly seeking additional loans from the Korea Development Bank after running through all $2 billion of its available credit lines. We hope they work it out... suffice it to say that the Aveo's replacement can't come soon enough.

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Chevrolet Aveo replacement postponed until 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 May 2009 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 chevy aveo2010ChevyAveo2011 chevy aveo2011ChevyAveochevy aveochevy aveo 5chevy aveo5ChevyAveoChevyAveo5daewoodaewoo t300DaewooT300gm daewooGmDaewooSat, 23 May 2009 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/03/vauxhall-sans-opel-could-reallign-with-gm-daewoo-holden/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/03/vauxhall-sans-opel-could-reallign-with-gm-daewoo-holden/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/03/vauxhall-sans-opel-could-reallign-with-gm-daewoo-holden/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet aveoChevroletAveodaewoogm daewoogm datGmDaewooGmDatholdenopelvauxhallvauxhall daewoovauxhall holdenVauxhallDaewooVauxhallHoldenSun, 03 May 2009 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Beat some ugly Italian designs with an ugly stick]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/beat-some-ugly-italian-designs-with-an-ugly-stick/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/beat-some-ugly-italian-designs-with-an-ugly-stick/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/beat-some-ugly-italian-designs-with-an-ugly-stick/#commentsFiled under: ,



Got some time to burn? Of course you do! iMotor Mag has created a game to punish the wayward children of esteemed Italian design houses. Where designers such as Pininfarina and Bertone have penned gems like the Ferrari F599 and the Lamborghini Miura, they have also thrust the Peugeot 1007 and Skoda Favorit on unwary car shoppers (hey, even designers have to eat...).

iMotor (the same blokes who gave us the Bail Out Chrysler game) gives you the chance to beat them, and a couple of Bertone designs to boot. You may not agree with all of them (Subaru SVX?) but the better you wield the ugly stick, the more unfortunate designs you get to eradicate from the (virtual) world. However, as with many ugly-yet-enduring designs, the cars put up a good fight, so good luck getting to Level Two.

[Source: iMotor Mag]

Beat some ugly Italian designs with an ugly stick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bertoneCitroenDaewoodesignersgameguigiaroHyundaiimotorPeugeotpininfarinasubaru SVXSubaruSvxuglyFri, 27 Mar 2009 14:26:00 EST<![CDATA[GM launches Cruze in South Korea as Lacetti Premiere]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/gm-launches-cruze-in-south-korea-as-lacetti-premiere/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/gm-launches-cruze-in-south-korea-as-lacetti-premiere/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/gm-launches-cruze-in-south-korea-as-lacetti-premiere/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Chevy Cruze era has begun in South Korea, except the sedan will be badged as the Lacetti Premiere. General Motors partner Daewoo is producing the fuel efficient sedan for Korea, the first market to get one of GM's most important future vehicles. The Cruze is the first truly global vehicle that the General will produce, with a keen eye on fuel economy and scalability. The Lacetti Premiere will come equipped with the same 1.6L powerplant with 140 hp as the rest of the world, meaning fuel economy is reported to approach 40 mpg on the highway. Europe won't receive the Cruze until early 2009, with the U.S. getting the Bow Tie-branded sedan in 2010... at the earliest.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze


[Source: Trading Markets]

GM launches Cruze in South Korea as Lacetti Premiere originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevy CruzeChevyCruzedaewoogmLacetti PremiereLacettiPremiereSouth koreaSouthKoreaThu, 30 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Chevy Cruze shows off its interior]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/02/spy-shots-chevy-cruze-shows-off-its-interior/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/02/spy-shots-chevy-cruze-shows-off-its-interior/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/02/spy-shots-chevy-cruze-shows-off-its-interior/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to enlarge

We've got a bit of a wait ahead of us in the United States, but if this interior photo does indeed show the Chevy Cruze's passenger compartment, then maybe it'll be worth it. TheCaranatic.com doesn't tell the source of the image, the Daewoo logo on the wheel indicates that it was probably snapped in South Korea, where the car will be produced for the European and Asian markets. As for the interior itself? Well, based on the photo it looks top-notch, blending a lot of Opel Insignia with dashes of Chevy Malibu to create a very pleasant driver's environment. This is promising.

[Source: theCarfanatic via Autoblog Spanish]

Spy Shots: Chevy Cruze shows off its interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchevycruzedaewooinsigniainteriormalibuopelspySat, 02 Aug 2008 09:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: GM's 7-passenger global people mover]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/18/spy-shots-gms-7-passenger-people-mover/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/18/spy-shots-gms-7-passenger-people-mover/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/18/spy-shots-gms-7-passenger-people-mover/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Brenda Priddy & Co have brought us the first glimpse of GM's upcoming 7-seat MPV. Based on the Delta global platform, it is said to be about the same size as the Mazda5. The person hauler is apparently the work of GM Daewoo (GMDAT), with R&D work carried out in Bupyeong, South Korea.

The vehicle will be offered for numerous GM brands around the world, though no one knows yet exactly which ones will get it. Chevy is certain, with Daewoo and Opel posed as logical outlets. Priddy guesses that this could even be the replacement for the Opel Zafira. It will most likely be built in the Hamtramck, Michigan plant. True, it's only a taped-up mule and there are parts missing - like the front end - but we hope GM doesn't go to far down the bland route in order to appeal to the widest number of global villagers.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: GM's 7-passenger global people mover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cuvdaewoogmgm daewooGmDaewoogmdathamtramckmpvsuvFri, 18 Apr 2008 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Chevy Beat caught testing in China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/spy-shots-chevy-beat-caught-testing-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/spy-shots-chevy-beat-caught-testing-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/spy-shots-chevy-beat-caught-testing-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We saw the Chevy Beat concept unveiled a year ago, and now a camouflaged mule has been caught testing in China, fueling speculation that the Beat will succeed the Spark in that market. The Beat is certainly far less dowdy than the Spark, which is also sold, sometimes gratuitously, as the Matiz in other markets. When the Beat debuted as one in a trio of concepts, it was the sportiest of the three and described as a "tuner car" offering substantial levels of customization at the retail level, much like a Scion. That rhetoric may not be for world-wide consumption, however, and the Beat could wind up looking sharp on the outside and offering you roll-your-own windows and milk jug-quality plastics in the cabin. Of course, GM could pull a Ford and deliver a deliciously stylish small car everywhere but the United States, just as our fuel costs skyrocket ever further. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

[Source: China Car Times]



Spy Shots: Chevy Beat caught testing in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beat spy shotsBeatSpyShotschevrolet beatchevrolet sparkchevrolet spy shotsChevroletBeatChevroletSparkChevroletSpyShotschevy matizchevy spy shotsChevyMatizChevySpyShotsdaewoodaewoo matizDaewooMatizgm chinaGmChinaspy photospy photographyspy photosspy picspy picsSpyPhotoSpyPhotographySpyPhotosSpyPicSpyPicsTue, 01 Apr 2008 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Suzuki Forenza, Reno get the boot after '08, Swift convertible in the works]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/20/suzuki-forenza-reno-get-the-boot-after-08-swift-convertible-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/20/suzuki-forenza-reno-get-the-boot-after-08-swift-convertible-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/20/suzuki-forenza-reno-get-the-boot-after-08-swift-convertible-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In memoriam: the Suzuki Forenza and its brother, the Reno, will shuffle off this mortal coil after 2008. Oh, how we barely knew thee - but we're not surprised.

Both vehicles have seen a dip in sales this year, and with the SX4's numbers up over 35-percent for 2007, and a sedan version due out in October, Suzuki obviously had too many vehicles vying for the same buyers.

According to an un-named source quoted by Automotive News, the SX4's market share will continue to expand, with the aforementioned sedan as well as a hatchback model supposedly due in 2009. As for Suzuki's sub-compact offering, we can still expect the Swift to arrive on U.S. shores in 2010, packing a more performance-oriented punch than the SX4, with a convertible version due out sometime afterwards.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Suzuki Forenza, Reno get the boot after '08, Swift convertible in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daewooforenzageneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmrenosuzukiswiftsx4Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Have money, need growth: GM to invest $6b in Daewoo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/28/have-money-need-growth-gm-to-invest-6b-in-daewoo/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/28/have-money-need-growth-gm-to-invest-6b-in-daewoo/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/28/have-money-need-growth-gm-to-invest-6b-in-daewoo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



GM has been rapidly expanding in countries outside the US, and South Korea-based Daewoo has been a major contributor to the company's growth in developing markets. GM is redoubling their commitment to Daewoo by investing $6 billion in the once bankrupt automaker over the next few years. President and chief executive of GM DAT Michael Grimaldi says the money will be used to expand design, engineering, and for new plants and products. Among the projects on the table are a mini car and a small car, which could mean that some form of the Beat, Trax, or Groove could be in the pipeline. With relatively low labor costs and a free trade agreement with the US, GM Daewoo could expand their role of providing low-cost economy cars to our shores, but with a Chevy badge.

[Source: Channel NewsAsia]

Have money, need growth: GM to invest $6b in Daewoo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeatDaewooGMGrooveMicro carMicroCarSmall CarSmallCarTraxxSat, 28 Jul 2007 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[GM's Kappa platform spawns GM Daewoo G2X in Seoul]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/08/gms-kappa-platform-spawns-another-offspring-in-seoul/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/08/gms-kappa-platform-spawns-another-offspring-in-seoul/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/08/gms-kappa-platform-spawns-another-offspring-in-seoul/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The cross-pollination among General Motors worldwide operations continues. The Seoul Motor Show features the fourth variant of General Motors' Kappa platform and the third based on the Saturn Sky. The new GM Daewoo G2X is a rebadged edition of the Sky and Opel Speedster. The car being shown in Seoul uses the turbocharged 2.0L direct injected engine from the Sky Red Line. So far, there's no word from GM on when the G2X will be available in South Korean showrooms.

[Source: GM Daewoo]

Gallery: GM Daewoo G2X

Continue reading GM's Kappa platform spawns GM Daewoo G2X in Seoul

GM's Kappa platform spawns GM Daewoo G2X in Seoul originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Apr 2007 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Daewoog2xseoul motor showSeoulMotorShowSun, 08 Apr 2007 11:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Seoul Motor Show: GM Daewoo shows off L4X sedan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/07/seoul-motor-show-gm-daewoo-shows-off-l4x-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/07/seoul-motor-show-gm-daewoo-shows-off-l4x-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/07/seoul-motor-show-gm-daewoo-shows-off-l4x-sedan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for photo gallery

Many thousands of miles away from New York, another auto show is getting into full swing. We're talking about the Seoul Motor Show, where the Koreans are getting an eyeful of some pretty nifty stuff. Like what, you ask? Well, like this rebadged Holden Caprice/Statesman, which bowed as the Daewoo L4X sedan. The car on display is the "concept" version of the vehicle that'll go on sale in Korea at a later date.

GM's ubiquitous 3.6-liter V6 provides 258 horses with which to propel the rear-wheel-drive long-wheelbase sedan. It's being positioned as a luxury/executive vehicle complete with niceties such as navigation with TV functionality, heated rear seats with massage, and privacy rollers and blinds for the backseat passengers. We're all for having a variation of the Caprice and/or Statesman show up on these shores badged as a Buick. Unfortunately, Buick dealers, in their infinite wisdom, appear to disagree. We will see a Buick version of the car in China (we're guessing it'll debut at Shanghai later this month), at which point we'll complain loudly about it not being here.

[Source: GM Daewoo]

Gallery: GM Daewoo L4X

Continue reading Seoul Motor Show: GM Daewoo shows off L4X sedan

Seoul Motor Show: GM Daewoo shows off L4X sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daewoogm daewooGmDaewooholden capriceholden statesmanholden wmHoldenCapriceHoldenStatesmanHoldenWml4xwm capricewm statesmanWmCapriceWmStatesmanSat, 07 Apr 2007 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[More good news for Hyundai/Kia: new U.S. trade pact favorable]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/03/more-good-news-for-hyundai-kia-new-u-s-trade-pact-favorable/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/03/more-good-news-for-hyundai-kia-new-u-s-trade-pact-favorable/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/03/more-good-news-for-hyundai-kia-new-u-s-trade-pact-favorable/#commentsFiled under: , ,



South Korean automakers received a pretty big shot in the arm as a trade agreement was reached with the United States. The trade pact, which lasts for 15 years, took nine months to negotiate. With the new agreement, tariffs will be immediately lifted on cars with engine displacements of 3-liters or less. Cars with displacements greater than 3.0L will have to wait three years, and trucks will have to wait 10 years before the tariff is lifted. As expected, Hyundai stock shot up 3.3% on the news, and Kia saw an increase of 5.5%.

For their part, in three years the South Korean government is levying a flat tax of five-percent on all vehicles, domestic or imported. Automotive News cites experts who believe the trade agreement won't help US automakers much, since demand for their products isn't as high as that of luxury automakers like Lexus or Audi.

Within the past few years, Hyundai and Kia have gone from makers of cheap, unattractive junkers with great warranties, to companies with good quality, improved designs, and great warranties. Losing the import tariffs will help Korean automakers deliver good products at an even better value. With new products on the horizon like the RWD, V8-powered Hyundai Genesis concept, we think the domestics and Japan had better take notice of the South Korean automakers, or risk getting left in the dust.

[Source: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

More good news for Hyundai/Kia: new U.S. trade pact favorable originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daewoohyundaikiatarifftrade pactTradePactTue, 03 Apr 2007 08:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GM Daewoo passes Kia as Korea's No. 2 automaker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/05/gm-daewoo-passes-kia-as-koreas-no-2-automaker/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/05/gm-daewoo-passes-kia-as-koreas-no-2-automaker/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/05/gm-daewoo-passes-kia-as-koreas-no-2-automaker/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



When General Motors took the reins of Daewoo in 2002, they saw a future in the then bankrupt Korean automaker. Since then, GM has poured a considerable amount of resources into Daewoo and now, that effort has paid off. GM Daewoo has taken back its former standing as the number two automaker in Korea.

Kia has occupied the second place spot, right below its parent company Hyundai, for the past four years. However, GM Daewoo was able to out-produce the automaker by some 180,000 vehicles in 2006.

Close to 80-percent of GM Daewoo's are shipped abroad, with exports up over 33-percent, while domestic sales rallied 19.2-percent. Some of those aforementioned exports arrive in the U.S. wearing Chevrolet's bowtie.

Since GM's sales have been waning over the past few years, this sort of news is an unlikely bright spot for the automaker as a whole.

[Source: Edmunds]

GM Daewoo passes Kia as Korea's No. 2 automaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daewoogeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmhyundaikiakoreaFri, 05 Jan 2007 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[GM's Gamma to go global]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/gms-gamma-to-go-global/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/gms-gamma-to-go-global/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/gms-gamma-to-go-global/#commentsFiled under:



Even though GM is one of the biggest players in the global market, it hasn't had much luck in worldwide platform sharing. And it wants to see that change. Soon. Sources are saying that GM is working on a new small car platform known internally as Gamma. This platform could be the basis for the next Opel Corsa and Chevrolet Aveo, and could ultimately support models with an annual volume of 1.4 million cars starting in 2009. Although unconfirmed, Gammas could be built in Korea, China, Thailand, India, Germany, Eastern Europe, Mexico and Venezuela.

Hopefully the platform will be flexible enough (like Ford's C1) to allow the kind of variation regional markets have demanded from GM in the past. That kind of differentiation was what partially doomed past efforts for true global platforms from GM. Besides allowing cost savings on such huge economies of scale, this kind of architecture provides an advantage for suppliers who are global as well. The cars will be badged as Daewoos in Korea, Chevrolets in the United States and China and Opels in Europe.

The Gammas will replace models from two different platforms when they reach market, including the next generation Daewoo Kalos, Matiz and Gentra, the Chevrolet Aveo and the Opel Corsa, Tigra and Meriva.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req]

GM's Gamma to go global originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ashvin ChotaiAshvinChotaidaewoogamma platformGammaPlatformglobal platformGlobalPlatformopelMon, 13 Nov 2006 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2007.5 Chevy Aveo Hatchback]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/09/spy-shots-2007-5-chevy-aveo-hatchback/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/09/spy-shots-2007-5-chevy-aveo-hatchback/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/09/spy-shots-2007-5-chevy-aveo-hatchback/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Chevy Aveo sedan is hitting dealer lots as we speak, so the surfacing of these spy shots showing the five-door hatchback version is well timed. Cheers and Gears pulls what details they can from the heavily camouflaged vehicle, which shows some interesting design details. Look closely and you'll see the one de rigueur design detail showing up on all the fashionable 2007 models: side air vents! Whether they are a portent of a performance version or will be used across the entire lineup of Aveo hatchbacks is not known, but they certainly look like production pieces to us. Stare long and hard at the front and you'll also see the pointed bottom of the new giant grille that was first previewed on recent Malibu spy shots, as well. The rear of the car shows large taillamps with round reverse lights reminiscent of the HHR. From these spy shots, it appears that the Aveo hatchback is going to get divergent styling from its four-door sibling, as well as a sub-$10,000 base price to keep it one of this market's least expensive vehicles. Expect the Chevy Aveo five-door hatchback to debut sometime next year as a 2007 model.

[Source: Cheers & Geers]

Spy Shots: 2007.5 Chevy Aveo Hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Sep 2006 00:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aveodaewoofive-doorkoreanspy picspy picsSpyPicSpyPicsSat, 09 Sep 2006 00:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Photos aplenty of GM Daewoo Winstorm]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/21/photos-plenty-for-gm-daewoo-winstorm/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/21/photos-plenty-for-gm-daewoo-winstorm/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/21/photos-plenty-for-gm-daewoo-winstorm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Sibling site Autoblog en Espanol was able to obtain more shots of the Winstorm, the first SUV by GM Korean subsidiary, Daewoo. As previously posted, the Winstorm will be sold primarily in the Asian and European markets through GM's Chevrolet and Holden brands. While no definitive date has been announced for when the SUV goes on sale in Asia, Europe will be receiving its first units marketed as the Chevrolet Captiva this September. Alas, this handsome SUV is not bound for the States and no plans have been made to buy it an interncontinental ticket.

Related:
GM Daewoo's 'Winstorm' SUV prepares to sweep SUV market
Geneva Motor Show: Chevrolet releases Captiva crossover
Chevy Captiva won't come to the U.S.

[Source: GM-Daewoo via translated Autoblog en Espanol]

Photos aplenty of GM Daewoo Winstorm originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CaptivaChevroletChevyDaewooEuropeGM DaewooGmDaewooWinstormWed, 21 Jun 2006 09:08:00 EST<![CDATA[GM to face massive worker protests in Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/18/gm-to-face-massive-worker-protests-in-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/18/gm-to-face-massive-worker-protests-in-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/18/gm-to-face-massive-worker-protests-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

General Motors plants in Germany and Spain may face shut-downs next week, as workers plan to protest the closing of an assembly location in Portugal. The automaker announced on Wednesday that it would close the van assembly plant as it faces a 500-euro cost penalty there, with production moving to a Spanish plant. The decision was later suspended upon pleading by Portugal's government, but the automaker states that it will be extremely difficult to find the necessary efficiency improvements to keep the plant competitive.

The protests are said to potentially impact the launch of the Opel Corsa, a subcompact product that is key to GM's European model line-up. GM workers in Western Europe are said to be deeply concerned about the potential for their assembly jobs moving to lower-cost sites towards the east, and GM has also stated that it will be bringing over additional product from South Korea.  

[Source: Reuters]

GM to face massive worker protests in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jun 2006 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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