Daewoo unveils new diesel cars, including wagon

GM Daewoo Auto and Technology President Michael Grimaldi introduced the company’s new Lacetti wagon and diesel passenger cars yesterday at the Oceanvill Resort in Jeju city, Jeju Island. [YONHAP]

JEJU ― GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. yesterday introduced three types of its 2-liter Lacetti compact sedan fitted with diesel engines, the third in a series of diesel launches over the last nine months.
The addition of diesel Lacettis, in hatchback, notchback and wagon models, to the Winstorm and Tosca diesels, both launched last year, are expected to make a significant contribution to the carmaker’s key export markets, including Europe, said Michael Grimaldi, chief executive of GM Daewoo, at a press briefing prior to the auto showcase.
“Consumers are starting to discover that the widespread perception of diesel cars is very wrong,” said Mr. Grimaldi. “Diesel cars have changed,” he said, explaining that related technologies have shown notable evolution over the past five years. Diesel vehicles currently account for a minimal share in the Korean market.
Notchback and hatchback Lacettis, both with five-speed automatic transmissions, have a fuel efficiency of 15 kilometers per liter, while manual transmission models boast 18.4 kilometers per hour, which is up about 30 percent better than the gasoline-based Lacetti. That efficiency means the car can run 1,100 kilometers on 60 liters of diesel fuel.
Mr. Grimaldi said this was the first reintroduction of the wagon by a Korean carmaker in almost a decade. Low popularity had halted manufacture of wagons. Lee Hyun-il, managing director of marketing at GM Daewoo, said the sports wagon will appeal to members of the younger demographic with practical needs.
“We expect the Lacetti wagon to account for over 10 percent of all Lacetti models, possibly taking away the demand from compact and midsize sedans as well as recreational vehicles,” he said.
The domestic market share of GM Daewoo last year was 10.7 percent, and the automaker says that will surpass at least 11 percent this year. In January, domestic sales and exports at Daewoo grew 50 percent and 33 percent from a year prior.

By Seo Ji-eun Staff Writer [spring@joongang.co.kr]