Among the 20 vehicles being displayed on the 1,700-square-meter GM Daewoo stand are a vintage 1915 Cadillac, the Winstorm MaXX and the Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicle. The three products represents the automobile’s past, present and future, respectively.

“GM played an important role in the growth and development of the Korean automotive industry long before GM Daewoo’s establishment,” said GM Daewoo President and CEO Michael A. Grimaldi.“GM Daewoo’s remarkable growth has been accelerated by leveraging the best of the best resources of the world’s largest automaker.We are looking forward to the next 100 years of exciting vehicles.”

The Past: GM in Korea, from Emperor’s Cadillac to Daewoo Motor Co.:
The first GM car and one of the very first vehicles in Korea was a Cadillac that served as the royal limousine of the last emperor of the Chosun Dynasty. Built in 1918, the royal Cadillac is a seven-seater with a wood-framed body and four door entries. Its V-8 engine, revolutionary at the time, generates 70 horsepower.

Currently housed in the National Palace Museum of Korea, it is one of only four 1918 Cadillacs known to still exist. The 1915 Cadillac on display at GM Daewoo’s stand shares the same engine and platform.

In 1972, GM Korea was founded. It evolved into Daewoo Motor Co.Collaboration between GM and Daewoo over the following years contributed greatly to the development and growth of the automotive industry in Korea.

The Present: GM Daewoo’s Latest Model, Winstorm MaXX:
Last year, GM Daewoo produced approximately 1.9 million vehicles for 150 markets around the world, leveraging GM’s industry-leading technology, global resources and networks.

The latest GM Daewoo product bridging the bright future with the profound past is the Winstorm MaXX, which is scheduled to go on sale in July. “The Winstorm MaXX combines the versatility of an SUV with the driving performance of a sporty passenger car,” said Grimaldi.

Solid character lines and taut surfaces accentuate the vehicle’s European-inspiredsporty and muscular look. The interior design echoes the elegance of a top-of-the-line sedan through sporty contoured seats, three large round air vents in the center console, and a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel.

Powered by a 2.0-liter Euro IV-compliant VCDi (Variable Turbocharger Common Rail Diesel Injection) engine, the Winstorm MaXX’s driving characteristics are what set it apart from “city commuter” SUVs. Its sporty handling is sustained by a European-style stiff, steel body-frame integral structure.

Active-on-demand all-wheel drive comes standard on the Winstorm MaXX.This improves driving and handling while reducing fuel consumption. Also standard is ESC (Electronic Stability Control), which ensures maximum vehicle control and active safety.

The Future: Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle:
The Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicle represents the future, which is about taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing the world’s dependence on petroleum.

The Equinox can run up to 320 kilometers using electricity generated from hydrogen and go from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds with a top speed of 160 km/h, but emits only water.

In 2007, GM launched the world’s largest fuel cell vehicle demo fleet.Dubbed Project Driveway, the program is placing more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles with drivers around the world to gain comprehensive data from real-world use. GM Daewoo will get the first demo vehicle of the Project Driveway fleet outside the U.S. later this year.

During the Busan International Motor Show’s public days, GM Daewoo will host various activities including a musical gala, the Matiz Ten-Ten Festival and a Children’s Day celebration. In addition, photo sessions with racing models and customer consultation services will be provided on a daily basis.

Courtesy: GM Daewoo, Korea

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 6 May, 2008 3:59:09 PM IST #