General Motors is importing the Chevrolet Camaro from Canada to South Korea in 2011 through its subsidiary in the country, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.
GM Daewoo will initially launch the Chevrolet Camaro sports coupe in the country in 2.0-litre and 3.6-litre versions, said GM Daewoo CEO Mike Arcamone at a press briefing at the Busan International Motor Show, which began last Thursday. Other Chevrolet models will follow.
“The introduction of Chevrolet will enable us to provide our customers an array of exciting new vehicles from the brand’s global lineup, giving them more driving options,” said Arcamone.
The Camaro versions will be imported from the company’s Oshawa plant which is the only facility currently making the vehicle. GM refused to comment on the number destined for import.
Neither would it comment on whether production of any future Chevrolet models will eventually move to any of GM Daewoo’s three assembly plants in South Korea. It is unlikely for the Camaro because of its incompatibility with GM Daewoo’s existing production platforms in the country.
GM Daewoo’s Bupyeong plant in Incheon makes the Aveo, Epica and Captiva models, while the Gunsan plant makes the Cruze, Lacetti and Nubira. The company’s Changwon plant, meanwhile, makes the Chevrolet Spark.
Last year, Chevrolet accounted for 44% of GM’s global sales according to the company and registered a 21% increase in sales from the previous year.
“Chevrolet has enjoyed success in mature markets in North America and Europe, as well as in emerging markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America,” said GM International Operations President Tim Lee. “We are confident that it will drive us into a new era in Korea.”
