Searching for the real Daewoo

Starting this autumn, the Daewoo cars from the Matiz or Nubira ranges that are not manufactured at the Craiova-based plant, but imported from Asia, are likely to be sold on the Romanian market, as well.

Almost one year after having entered the market, following the acquisition by US carmaker General Motors of three plants and part of the sales offices belonging to Daewoo Motor, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology is likely to be officially introduced to the Romanian market, as well. This means that Daewoo cars might be sold, at least for the time being, by local carmaker Daewoo Automobile Romania and by the new company. Models will differ, though, because the newly-established GM Daewoo late last year and early this year launched new variants for three of its models – Matiz, Nubira and Leganza.

Contacted by Ziarul Financiar, GM Daewoo representatives for Central and Eastern Europe would not comment on this information, merely specifying that an official statement would be issued during the car show to be organised in Bucharest this September.

Officials of Daewoo Automobile Romania were also unwilling to comment on the possibility of both companies selling the same car make.

“I have received no information concerning a possible arrival of GM Daewoo on the Romanian market and therefore I can make no comments,” stated Valeriu tones, head of public relations with Daewoo Automobile Romania.

The Craiova-based Daewoo plant manufactures Matiz, Cielo, Nubira and Tacuma models. Leganza models are also sold by the Romanian plant. GM Daewoo’s European offer includes Matiz, Nubira, Leganza and Tacuma, but also models that have not been sold in Romania before, such as the Kalos.

Last autumn, GM and Daewoo’s lenders set up a joint venture including General Motors partners, Suzuki and SAIC.

The new company operates two plants in South Korea and one in Vietnam. Daewoo plants in Poland, Ukraine and Romania were not included in the sale agreement.