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.”

Detroit Motor Show: GM to Launch Opel in Australia Next Year

Last September, we reported that Nick Reilly, Chairman of Opel, hinted at the launch of the German brand in Australia. GM's European division made it official today at, announcing that Opel is set to enter the Australian market in 2012.

Nick Reilly, said at the Detroit Auto Show: “This launch is an important part of our international expansion strategy. With its growing demand for German design and technology, the Australian car market is an excellent opportunity for Opel. Australian drivers have a strong affinity with Opel vehicles.”

In a statement released to the press, Opel said the company’s offerings will include the Insignia, Astra and Corsa, with the full model line-up to be announced closer to the actual start of sales.

GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden, will most likely continue to offer its RWD Commodore and Caprice range with the rest of the lineup comprising of rebadged Chevrolet and Daewoo models such as the Barina Spark, Captiva and Cruze. The Opel brand will be positioned more upmarket targeting Volkswagen.

Following the previously announced launch of the brand in Chile and Israel, Australia becomes the third export brand for Opel, which is looking to strengthen its exports and increase sales. The German company said other markets that are under consideration include Argentina, the Middle East and an expansion in South-Africa and China.

Gallery: Opel's European Range

New Daewoo Lanos

The Daewoo Lanos was a subcompact car manufactured by the Korean automaker Daewoo Motor from 1997 to 2002, and from 1997 to 2008 made under a license agreement by the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) in Poland, marketed as FSO Lanos, and assembled in Ukraine in modified versions known as Daewoo Sens and Chevrolet Lanos.

For a brief period, it was also assembled by TagAZ in Russia, marketed as Doninvest Assol. The Lanos was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and featured three body styles - 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks and a 4-door sedan. Lanos was designed to replace Daewoo Nexia in the Daewoo lineup and was itself replaced by Daewoo Kalos.

The cars were equipped with GM Family 1 D-TEC I4 engines ranging from 1.5 L (1549 cc) SOHC to 1.6 L (1598 cc) DOHC. In the UK and many countries of Europe (like Italy, France or Austria) there are also E-TEC models 1.4 (1349 cc) and 1.6 (1598 cc). The suspension is built upon that of a Daewoo Nexia, as used in Vauxhall/Opel Astra Mk2 GTE.

The four models available were S, SE, SE Plus, SX, and later, the SPORT model. The S was the base model and did not include many standard features (like a CD player or power windows). The SE was just a small step up from the S base model. However, the SX model usually included a CD, radio, and cassette player along with power windows, a power side mirror, and fog lights. A few select SX models even came with a sun-roof though not many did. In the Lanos's later years, the SE and SX models were dropped and replaced with a new trim line called the SPORT (2001–2002). The SPORT included several features similar to the SX, but also included red/black leather seats, and a metallic silver dash trim. Also, the SPORT model had window controls located on the doors rather than the center console (like in the previous trim lines).

In Australia, the 1997-2003 Daewoo Lanos was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.

Europe: models received the following European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) 1998.

In crash tests conducted by ANCAP in 1998 to EuroNCAP regulations RHD Lanos 3dr hatchback showed poor performance, scoring 0.31 out of 16 in offset front crash test and 6.98 of 16 in side impact test.

Russian magazine Autoreview tested LHD Chevrolet Lanos T150 sedan built by ZAZ in 2006. It scored 10.5 of 16 points in offset front crash test.

Check out expert reviews for a new or used Daewoo Lanos. Our in-depth reviews for the new Daewoo Lanos provide current pricing and safety information, as well as detailed comments from our road testers. Our reviews for a used Daewoo Lanos include detailed road-test ratings and recall notifications. Yearly changes and repair costs are all included to help you decide if a used Daewoo Lanos will fit your needs.

New Daewoo Lanos

The Daewoo Lanos was a subcompact car manufactured by the Korean automaker Daewoo Motor from 1997 to 2002, and from 1997 to 2008 made under a license agreement by the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) in Poland, marketed as FSO Lanos, and assembled in Ukraine in modified versions known as Daewoo Sens and Chevrolet Lanos.

For a brief period, it was also assembled by TagAZ in Russia, marketed as Doninvest Assol. The Lanos was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and featured three body styles - 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks and a 4-door sedan. Lanos was designed to replace Daewoo Nexia in the Daewoo lineup and was itself replaced by Daewoo Kalos.

The cars were equipped with GM Family 1 D-TEC I4 engines ranging from 1.5 L (1549 cc) SOHC to 1.6 L (1598 cc) DOHC. In the UK and many countries of Europe (like Italy, France or Austria) there are also E-TEC models 1.4 (1349 cc) and 1.6 (1598 cc). The suspension is built upon that of a Daewoo Nexia, as used in Vauxhall/Opel Astra Mk2 GTE.

The four models available were S, SE, SE Plus, SX, and later, the SPORT model. The S was the base model and did not include many standard features (like a CD player or power windows). The SE was just a small step up from the S base model. However, the SX model usually included a CD, radio, and cassette player along with power windows, a power side mirror, and fog lights. A few select SX models even came with a sun-roof though not many did. In the Lanos's later years, the SE and SX models were dropped and replaced with a new trim line called the SPORT (2001–2002). The SPORT included several features similar to the SX, but also included red/black leather seats, and a metallic silver dash trim. Also, the SPORT model had window controls located on the doors rather than the center console (like in the previous trim lines).

In Australia, the 1997-2003 Daewoo Lanos was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.

Europe: models received the following European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) 1998.

In crash tests conducted by ANCAP in 1998 to EuroNCAP regulations RHD Lanos 3dr hatchback showed poor performance, scoring 0.31 out of 16 in offset front crash test and 6.98 of 16 in side impact test.

Russian magazine Autoreview tested LHD Chevrolet Lanos T150 sedan built by ZAZ in 2006. It scored 10.5 of 16 points in offset front crash test.

Check out expert reviews for a new or used Daewoo Lanos. Our in-depth reviews for the new Daewoo Lanos provide current pricing and safety information, as well as detailed comments from our road testers. Our reviews for a used Daewoo Lanos include detailed road-test ratings and recall notifications. Yearly changes and repair costs are all included to help you decide if a used Daewoo Lanos will fit your needs.

The Cute Performance Of Daewoo Matiz

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