GM Considers Selling Chevrolet Vehicles in S. Korea

SEOUL, May 16 Asia Pulse - General Motors Corp., the world's largest automaker, is considering selling its mid-range Chevrolet brand in South Korea to win more sales in the country's fast-growing imported-car market, a company executive said Friday.

The remark was made by James Raymond, GM's Asia-Pacific executive director of sales and marketing, at a press conference in Seoul. GM entered the South Korean market with the Saab and Cadillac brands a decade ago.

But GM cars have remained unpopular in South Korea, despite the imported-car market's seven-fold growth over the past seven years, because of poor customer service and bulky design.

Last year, Saabs accounted for a meager 0.59 per cent of South Korea's 50,000-plus market for imported vehicles.

If GM sells the Chevrolet brand in South Korea, it would cannibalize sales of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., the U.S. automaker's local unit, analysts say.

GM Daewoo sells some of its models overseas under the Chevrolet marquee.

The South Korean market for imported cars is expected to reach 60,000 units this year, according to industry data. (Yonhap)

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