General Motors is hoping a raft of imported new Chevrolet models, including the Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, can help bolster its struggling South Korea business.
The Colorado will go on sale in Korea shortly, with the automaker hosting an official presentation for local media this week. In the presentation, GM Korea CEO Kaher Kazem said the truck will give customers with a new type of experience, as it is “the first authentic American pickup truck in Korea.”
“With its overwhelming proven performance and unrivaled presence, the Colorado will enable a whole new lifestyle that Korean customers have never been able to experience before, Kazem said at the debut event, held in Hoengseong County in South Korea’s Gangwon Province.
The automaker began taking orders for the truck Monday and says deliveries will begin in fourth quarter of the year. The only version of the pickup on sale in the country will be the 3.6-liter V6 four-door model. Trim levels will include the entry-level rear-wheel drive ‘Extreme’ trim, Extreme 4WD and the range-topping Extreme-X 4WD.
Notably, GM Korea will not offer a diesel engine in the truck, despite it being a very common fuel type in the country – especially for larger vehicles such as the Colorado.
The only competition for the Colorado in the region is the Ssangyongg Rexton Sports, which is available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 2.2-liter diesel. The Rexton Sports (also known as the Musso) currently accounts for most of the domestic pickup truck market and before now was the only consumer truck officially sold in the region.
Hyundai and Kia are believed on a pickup truck of their own based around the Hyundai Santa Cruze concept, although it’s not clear when this may launch in South Korea.
GM Korea underwent a restructuring last year and is hoping a raft of new, appealing imported Chevrolet and Cadillac models can win over customers and help it turn its business around.
“Chevrolet is ready to respond to our Korean customers’ needs beyond their expectations, by importing and manufacturing a wide range of models from minicars to EVs, to sports cars, to full-size pickups and SUVs,” Kazem added. “Chevrolet will continue to expand its range for consumers in Korea.”
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Source: Korea Times
Comments
Why wouldn’t GM provide a diesel in an otherwise inefficient truck in a country where a fuel efficient diesel truck is extremely common?
It’s a requirement at GM that you slightly miss the mark with every product.
Once you finally get everything corrected and you have the right product available in the market, you then cancel it.