An In-Depth Look at New Car Releases for 2009/2010

The outlook of the Korean auto industry is certainly bright as it prepares to be bombarded with a wave of new car launches in the coming months. It is indicative that while American automakers are facing the nadir of their times, the devastating slump has not affected the ambitious Korean companies that are enjoying sales successes both in their home market and abroad. Continue reading for the EXCLUSIVE in-depth look at new car releases in Korea for 2009 and 2010.


To kick off the summer car bonanza in Korea, Kia is readying the domestic launch of the automaker's first 2-door coupe, Forte Koup. To be unveiled next week on the 11th, the Forte Koup will feature the same 1.6L and 2.0L powertrains as its four-door sibling and will be priced nearly on par with it. Intriguingly, the "koup" will have equivalent insurance premiums to its sedan counterpart. The Forte Koup will go on sale next month.

Renault Samsung is preparing for the launch of its redesigned SM3 compact sedan. The current model, based on the Nissan Bluebird Sylphy, will be replaced by a larger model based on the new Renault Megane. Despite the significant increase in size, the New SM3 will receive major fuel economy improvements that will put the car at the top of its class. The SM3 will be available with either a 1.6L or 2.0L engine, mated to a CVT (continuously variable) transmission. Production has already begun last month, so look for the New SM3 to reach showrooms next month.

Hyundai will roll out updated versions of the i30 hatchback and Avante (Elantra) sedan for the 2010 model year. The i30 will receive minor equipment upgrades such as redesigned wheels, but the main highlight is the addition of a more powerful 2.0L Theta II 4-cylinder engine alike the 2010 Kia Forte. The Avante is slated to undergo its first facelift for the 2010 model year. Revisions and upgrades include a new front and rear fascia, black-bezel headlamps, intelligent DMB navigation, push-start button, and a blue Supervision dashboard cluster. The 2010 i30 will go on sale in July, while the revised Avante is slated for a late August release.

Hyundai will unveil the production model of the long-anticipated Avante (Elantra) LPI Hybrid on July 15th. The prototype already made its formal debut at the past Seoul International Motor Show. The automaker's first production hybrid car will run on LPG (liquified petroleum gas) and achieve an estimated fuel economy of 17.2km/L. Hyundai emphasizes affordability for the new hybrid technology, and will price the Avante LPI Hybrid around 20 million Won. Hyundai originally planned to begin sales of the hybrid this September, but has pulled the release date earlier to July 22nd.

Hyundai will continue its series of new debuts with the unveiling of the all-new Tucson (LM) this August. The compact crossover will bear the styling of the ix-onic Concept revealed earlier this year, a much needed departure from the aging design of the current model. In an effort to further distinguish the Tucson and the larger Santa Fe, the redesigned Tucson will only be available with four-cylinder engines. The state-of-the-art 2.2L R diesel engine, co-developed between Hyundai and Kia, will also make its way into the Tucson.

This coming September will be hotly anticipated as Hyundai will formally unveil the sleeker, redesigned Sonata (YF). The new Sonata features a more rakish, 4-door coupe design, and will pack a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. The new Sonata will reach American shores in February 2010.

In the same month, GM Daewoo will release the local market version of the Chevrolet Spark, badged as the Matiz (M300). The prototype was already unveiled at the last Seoul International Motor Show and changes are only going to be a few. The new Matiz will be a radical departure from the current model, which is essentially a reskined version of the original model that debuted in 1998.

Kia Motors will officially unveil its new premium sport sedan, code-named "VG", in late November this year. The "VG" made its concept debut as the KND-5 Concept at the last Seoul International Motor Show. Penned by Kia's design guru Peter Schreyer, the "VG" will slot below the Opirus/Amanti and be available in three powertrain options (est. 2.4L, 2.7L, and 3.5L V6). The "VG" will also be sold in North American markets early next year.

Kia Motors also plans to take the wraps off its "YN" compact MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) this coming December. Launched in concept guise as the No3 Concept at the last Geneva Motor Show, the MPV received garnered spectacular press and public praise for its stunning design and slick practicality. Unfortunately, Kia will market the "YN" exclusively within the European market.

Other Launches & Beyond 2009

Hyundai Equus Limousine: October/November 2009
Renault Samsung SM5 (Laguna-based): December 2009
Kia Lotze/Optima (TF): April 2010
Hyundai Grandeur (HG): May 2010
Ssangyong C200: 1st half of 2010 (Delayed from initial release date of September 2009)
Hyundai Sonata (YF) Hybrid/Kia Lotze (TF) Hybrid: 2nd half of 2010
Hyundai Santa Fe (DM): June 2010
Kia Opirus/Amanti (CH): September 2010
Kia Pride/Rio (UB): November 2010
Kia Morning/Picanto (JA): December 2010

GM Daewoo releases Lacetti Premiere, America still waits

GM Daewoo has commenced sales of the long-awaited Lacetti Premiere compact sedan today in South Korea. Unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show this month, the Lacetti Premiere is a collaborative work of GM's global design and engineering teams as it will be also sold in other markets around the world, including the United States. In the U.S. and Europe, it will be called Cruze and badged as a Chevrolet.

Assembled at GMDAT's Gunsan plant, the Lacetti Premiere will initially be powered by an ECOTEC III 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that produces 114 horsepower. Coupled to it is a standard Hydromatic 6-speed automatic transmission. It is expected to achieve over 40 MPG. The Lacetti Premiere has a base price of 11.15 million Won (US$7600) in South Korea. Later models will be available with a 150 horsepower 2.0L turbodiesel engine.

Perhaps the more significant news is the Cruze's impact in the U.S. and the world. The USDM Cruze will be assembled at GM's Lordstown facility, and will replace the aging Cobalt. The Cruze will also pack the 1.6L engine and will reach U.S. showrooms in, get this, 2010. GM stated that it took 27 months to develop the Cruze and is counting on it to make a very needed impact in the competitive C-segment market in America. The Cruze will arrive in Europe in spring 2009.

[Source: Trading Markets]

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Spied: GM Daewoo Veritas (L4X) spotted in person

Here are the first images of the GM Daewoo Veritas, originally named L4X, spotted outside auto show venues for the first time. A rebadge of the Holden WM Caprice, the Veritas replaces the GM Daewoo Statesman that was on sale since 2005. The Statesman was also a rebadge of the previous generation Holden Statesman from Australia. The Veritas sports a unique vertical-slat grille and badging. The Statesman rides on Holden's RWD Zeta platform.

GM Daewoo pits the Veritas against the Hyundai Genesis 3.3L, Ssangyong Chairman W V6, and BMW 528i. Alike all three of these cars, the Veritas is rear-wheel driven. Its dimensions are (mm) 5195 x 1895 x 1480. The Veritas is powered by a 3.6L Alloytec V6 that produces 258 horsepower. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Veritas features a myriad of premium amenities such as bi-xenon headlamps, navigation system with DMB TV, tri-zone automatic climate control, power rear seats with massaging, power rear window curtains, and a rearview camera.

Reports say the Veritas is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2008.

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Australia: Holden releases facelifted 2009 Epica

GM's Australia division, Holden, unveiled the facelifted Epica mid-size sedan today. A rebadged version of the GM Daewoo Tosca, the revised Epica features minor exterior changes and introduces a new diesel model for the first time.

Holden refreshes the outside of the Epica with a revised grille, rear fascia, standard Aero kit, and new set of wheels. The equipment list is also rehashed with standard electronic stability control (ESC). Upping the ante, the CDXi features rear parking assist, heated front seats, and leather-trimmed interior.

For 2009, Holden adds a diesel variant of the Epica. Replacing the 2.0L petrol V6, the 2.0L 4-cylinder Variable turbine geometry (VTG) diesel generates 110 kW (148 horsepower) and 320Nm of torque. The 115 kW (154 horsepower) 2.5L petrol inline-6 remains. The new diesel boasts a mileage rating of 7.6L/100km (31 MPG). All models are now equipped with the 6T40 Active Select 6-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous 5-speed manual and Aisin 5-speed automatic transmissions.

The new Holden Epica is available now. The entry-level petrol CDX model is priced at AUD$27,990. The petrol CDXi model stickers at AUD$30,990. Diesel adds AUD$2,000 to both models. The Epica is produced in GMDAT's Bupyeong plant in South Korea.

[Source: Car Central]

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Korea: GM Daewoo's Bupyeong plant idled for cut-off tire supply

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. has announced that its main operations at the Bupyeong plant in South Korea have halted due to its tiremakers cutting off supplies for higher prices. "Domestic tire suppliers today stopped supplying tires to call for higher tire prices and the Bupyeong plant has been sitting idly since 1 p.m. (0400 GMT)," GM Daewoo spokesman Kim Sung-Soo told Dow Jones Newswires.

GM Daewoo has filed for a preliminary injunction with the Seoul District Court to end the hiatus. Both Hankook Tire and Kumho Tire are demanding 12% price increases due to higher costs for raw materials. They do not plan on cutting off supplies in GM Daewoo's other two plants in Gunsan and Changwon. The two corporations already increased prices by 5.5% last March. The Bupyeong plant produces the majority of GM Daewoo cars and rebadged worldwide models such as the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Captiva.

[Source: CNN Money]

Korea: GMDAT releases Winstorm MAXX

GM Daewoo unveiled the compact crossover, Winstorm MAXX, yesterday and commenced sales of the car. The MAXX is a rebadged variant of the Opel/Vauxhall Antara, which is sold in Europe. The Saturn Vue and Holden Captiva MAXX are also badge-engineered versions of the Antara. Alongside the Winstorm MAXX, GMDAT also began sales of the Winstorm 2.4L gasoline model.

The Winstorm MAXX is feature-laden with items such as 3-level heated driver's seat, automatic climate control, auto lighting control, front and rear parking sensors, headlight washers, and cooled glovebox. It is powered by a 150 horsepower 2.0L common-rail turbodiesel engine (VCDi). The engine meets Euro 4 emission standards. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic and boasts a fuel economy of 11.3km/liter.

The Winstorm MAXX, which goes on sale today in South Korea, is priced at 28.83 million Won ($27 543USD) to 29.96 million Won ($29 127USD).

GMDAT to move J300 production overseas

GMDAT (GM Daewoo Auto & Technology) announced plans to reduce productions in Korea and move them overseas. They said Monday that the production of the J300, code-name for the next-generation Lacetti, will be carried out in GM's San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico and its Shangai plant in China from the end of next year. Until now, the Lacetti - known in China as Buick Excelle and the US as Suzuki Forenza or Reno - was produced exclusively in GMDAT's Gunsan plant in South Korea.

The initial manufacturing of the J300 will commence in the Gunsan plant from October this year with an estimated production number of 150 000 units. Next year, it will be shared by GM's plants in Mexico and China.

The cars produced in Mexico will be sold in North America as a Chevrolet. It will play a possible role as the replacement of the Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan (pictured). The cars produced in China will be sold in China. The two plants combined are speculated to produce 150 000 units annually.

[Source: Chosun Ilbo / Image Credit: Brenda Priddy & LeftlaneNews]

Korea: April 2008 Sales

The numbers have been released and yet again, Hyundai has claimed 51.7% of the sales this month in South Korea. The Hyundai Sonata topped the charts with 12 187 units sold - a 0.3% decrease.

Second and third positions went to the Hyundai Avante (Elantra) and Hyundai Grandeur (Azera) respectively. Despite dropping 25.4%, the Kia Morning (Picanto) slotted fourth. Eighth in the ranks went to the Hyundai Genesis, while the Kia Lotze (Optima) leaped 83%, landing at 9th. Other laudable mentions go to the Kia Carens (Rondo), which experienced a 53.4% jump in sales from last month.

On the other side of the scale, the Ssangyong Rodius was ranked 43rd with 151 units sold. Placing last was the GM Daewoo G2X - a rebadged Saturn Sky - in which only 5 units were sold this month.

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Spied: 2010 Chevrolet Beat/Daewoo Matiz (M300) undisguised

Sent in by "KCM", I received two exclusive images of the production Chevy Beat/Daewoo Matiz out in the buffs. The eye candy here is the fact that, albeit showing only the front fascia, the prototype spotted is undisguised (not fully, but close). Due to go on sale in various markets by 2009, the upcoming subcompact car designed by the folks at GMDAT will retain nearly all the prominent cues of the Chevrolet Beat Concept - its precursor.

The immense headlights of the mule that bring up thoughts of the second-generation Honda Fit indicate that the production version will remain faithful to the Beat Concept. The grille is not the bisecting Chevy grille that we've come familiar with on the Concept, but rather the two-bar chrome grille that GMDAT is known for. This is an indication that the Beat will be sold as a GM Daewoo in Korea, and possibly play the role as the long-awaited successor of the Matiz.

We're unsure as to whether the Beat will be also available with five doors. As of now, we have yet to see a shot of one. We're also unsure as to whether the Beat will cross over to North American shores - possibly replacing the Aveo. Nonetheless, the Beat sure looks promising and continue after the jump to view more shots.

GMDAT releases 2009 Tosca Premium 6

The competitive midsize sedan market in South Korea has recently seen a slew of new cars released. The Hyundai Sonata Transform and the Renault Samsung SM5 New Impression are important examples. Hopping on the bandwagon is the 2009 GM Daewoo Tosca Premium 6. Beneath the long badge are subtle mechanical and visual changes. The main highlight of the changes is the standard 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Engineered in cooperation with GM Powertrain's Transmission Engineering Center located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and GM Daewoo, the new transmission promises to deliver significantly improved mileage and performance.

Other changes made to the Tosca include a redesigned set of taillights, the addition of a rear garnish, and redesigned 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels. New gauges, available Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a USB port, switch-blade style keys, and adjustable rear-seat head restraints also make the cut. Last but not least, the formerly optional "Aero Pack" (a bodykit consisting of front, side, rear sideskirts, and muffler trimming) is now standard across the range.

Officially going on sale today, the Tosca Premium 6 will have a base starting price of 17.26 million Won ($18,086 USD) for the L6 2.0L trim. The range-topping L6 2.5L will start at 26.62 million Won ($27,894 USD).

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