GM Daewoo aims to export 1.8 million units this year

GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. aims to export more than 1.8 million vehicles and knockdown kits under the Chevrolet brand this year, its president Mike Arcamone said Monday.

The Korean unit of GM will also launch eight new vehicles to Korea, instead of the originally planned seven, this year. Four of the eight models will be those in segments the company does not currently compete in, he added.

He unveiled the plan on the sidelines of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Concerning the company’s branding strategies, Arcamone said that the details will be announced at a press conference at the end of the month.

GM Daewoo plans to introduce the Chevrolet brand to Korea this year as part of its plans to push up its domestic market share that has remained below 10 percent for some time.

The plans gave rise to numerous speculations that the company is planning to abandon the GM Daewoo brand altogether in favor of Chevrolet.

Under the plans, revealed last year, the company will introduce the muscle car Chevrolet Camaro and may market some vehicles produced at its Korean plants under the Chevrolet marque.

In addition to such plans, GM Daewoo’s new subcompact car was unveiled for the first time as the Chevrolet Sonic at the event.

The subcompact car will be launched on the Korean market during the first half of the year, and debut in U.S. and other markets later in the year.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)