2024.02.05
GM Korea accelerates resurgence with four new cars this year
BY SARAH CHEA, Korea JoongAng Daily - GM Korea is seeking to solidify its resurgence by introducing four new vehicles, including two new EVs, in the domestic market this year.
A new service center
will also be opened in 2024, with a new connected car service set to be
launched within the first half.
The Korean arm of
the U.S. automaker is strengthening its lineup this year by introducing four
new vehicles in the local market, including two purely Ultium platform-based
EVs — The Cadillac Lyriq and the Chevrolet Equinox EV.
GM operates globally
with four brands — Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC — of which Chevrolet,
Cadillac and GMC models are currently offered in Korea.
"We aim to
deliver a distinct and varied product experience exclusive to GM through our
Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC brands, putting the customer at the center of
everything we do," said GM Korea CEO Hector Villarreal during a press
conference Friday in southern Seoul.
GM Korea is also
opening a new service center in Yeungdeungpo District, western Seoul, in July,
which will offer a one-stop service ranging from vehicle purchases to
maintenance.
The automaker plans
to introduce an OnStar service in the first half, an extended digital
experience that includes remote control services and wireless over-the-air
updates through a mobile app.
Chevy Trax Crossover
will be the first model to have the service, GM Korea said.
"We plan to
strengthen GM’s presence in the fiercely competitive domestic market and meet
the needs of those seeking the unique American product experience and new
lifestyle that only GM can provide by expanding our comprehensive range of
products."
GM Korea’s sales
have seen a steady rise since last year thanks to its latest Trax Crossover,
which was introduced in March. It swung to profit in 2022, ending eight
consecutive years of losses, an upturn it hopes to continue.
GM Korea sold a
total of 468,059 vehicles last year, up 76.6 percent on year. Trax Crossover
and Trailblazer SUVs earned the top two spots in Korean passenger car exports
for 2023.
It sold 43,194
vehicles in January, a 165.8 percent jump on year.