GM Daewoo Reaffirms Importance to Global Success of GM and Chevrolet at 2011 North American Intl. Auto Show
- Sonic and Cruze developed by GM Daewoo on display
- Volt electric vehicle showcased ahead of its launch in Korea
At the show, which began in Detroit on January 10, GM is displaying two models whose development was led by GM Daewoo: the Chevrolet Sonic, the automaker’s next-generation global small car, and the Chevrolet Cruze (Lacetti Premiere), its global compact sedan.
“The Sonic and Cruze will play a pivotal role in promoting GM’s ongoing globalization through the Chevrolet brand,” said GM Daewoo President and CEO Mike Arcamone. “GM Daewoo, which is introducing Chevrolet in Korea this year, will continue contributing to the brand’s rapid growth globally while playing a key role in ensuring our parent company’s overall success.”
The Sonic and Cruze are among the diverse range of vehicles on display from Chevrolet, GM’s leading global brand, at NAIAS. The Chevrolet lineup includes several advanced technology vehicles, including the next-generation Volt electric car with extended-range capability.
At this year’s leading auto show in North America, GM is also showcasing products from its other core brands: Cadillac, Buick and GMC. About 10 new production and concept vehicles are being shown, such as the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible; the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon; the 2012 Buick Verano entry-level premium sedan; the Buick LaCrosse premium sedan equipped with eAssist; the high-performance Buick Regal GS sports sedan; and the GMC Sierra HD concept, which takes the performance of large transportation vehicles to a whole new level.
Sonic: Next-Generation Global Small Car
The Chevrolet Sonic four-door sedan and five-door hatchback are making their global debut at NAIAS. Both fun-to-drive models demonstrate the standard for next-generation small cars through their fresh exterior designs, powerful acceleration, turbocharged engines and excellent handling.
Both models have a sophisticated exterior design with slanted body lines. The motorcycle-inspired appearance of the Sonic is complemented by an interior that features an instrument panel with a round analogue speedometer on a large LCD digital display.
Moreover, the body of the Sonic is designed to be the sturdiest available. The strength of the body allowed engineers to adjust ride feel and steering stability more precisely. The Sonic’s unique “flat-top frame” cradle ensures optimal rigidity in the front chassis.
The Sonic comes with a choice of two engines. The 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged engine (which is the same engine offered in the new Cruze) is offered with a six-speed manual transmission. It generates 138 horsepower and maximum torque of 148 lb.-ft. (200 Nm). The 1.8-liter Ecotec engine, which is offered with a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission, generates 135 horsepower and maximum torque of 123 lb.-ft. (167 Nm).
“The Chevrolet Sonic adds the practicality of a small car to our passion for excellent performance, which has been expressed through Chevrolet cars including the Corvette,” said Chris Perry, Vice President of Chevrolet U.S. Marketing. “We have succeeded in building a wonderful small car armed with the joy of driving by combining exceptional design and up-to-date wireless communication technology.”
Cruze (Lacetti Premiere): Gaining Popularity in the U.S.
The Chevrolet Cruze, which has gone on sale across Asia, Europe and North America since its initial launch in Korea as the Lacetti Premiere, features a roomy interior and a variety of convenience features, including Bluetooth, USB connectivity and numerous storage spaces, as well as dynamic styling.
It comes with a choice of a 1.8-liter Ecotec VVT (variable valve timing) engine or a new 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged engine that generates maximum output of 138 horsepower.
The Cruze has received the highest ratings in crash tests conducted in Europe, Australia, China and Korea. It recently earned a five-star crash test rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The vehicle has been warmly welcomed by consumers in the U.S. because of its comfort, fuel efficiency and reasonable price. More than 9,500 were sold in December alone.
The Chevrolet Cruze was named 2010 New Car of the Year by India’s Carwale (www.carwale.com); Car of the Year by East European Auto Best; New Small Car of the Year by Canadian auto journalists; and Urban Car of the Year by the editors of authoritative automotive magazine Decisive Media.
Volt: Advanced Eco-Friendly Electric Car
The Chevrolet Volt has named 2011 Car of the Year by world-renowned auto magazine Motor Trend last November.
Launched in the U.S. last month, the Volt is the only cutting-edge plug-in electric car that can travel in all weather conditions without range anxiety. The vehicle has a driving range of up to 379 miles(610km) of driving. It can travel the initial 35 miles(56km) using its lithium-ion battery alone. When the battery is depleted, its engine generator powers the Volt’s electric motors, giving it additional driving range of 344 miles(554km).
The Volt has the most aerodynamic design of any vehicle in GM history. The innovative design effectively reduces drag, increasing fuel efficiency. This helps secure an additional 13 km of driving range in electric mode and 64 km in extended-range mode.
In addition, the Volt offers several industry-first remote features. Owners can access and check their cars 24/7 through GM’s OnStar system. Using a smartphone, they can check the battery’s charging state and charge level as well as other operational information. They can also start their cars remotely.
GM Daewoo plans to bring a fleet of Volts to Korea for pilot operation. It will investigate opportunities for sale of the Volt in Korea based on available infrastructure, customer response and road conditions while enhancing public awareness of electric vehicles.
웹사이트: http://media.gm-korea.co.kr
연락처
GM Daewoo
Corporate Communications
02-755-4043, 4048