While GM’s main automotive markets are in North America and China, the automaker’s vehicles are sold in many other countries around the world, including Uzbekistan. One of these, the Chevy Lacetti, is both produced and sold by GM Uzbekistan and continues to generate sales both in that country and other former Soviet states.
The Chevy Lacetti is currently available as a four-door sedan and is sold in Uzbekistan at a base price of 169,118,000 Uzbekistani Sums, or approximately $13,650 at the current exchange rate.
The listed equipment of the Lacetti include various features generally considered to be so standard as to not be worth mentioning in the North American market, but apparently more significant in the local market. These include air conditioning, rear cabin heating, driver and passenger front air bags, and the ability to fit child seats.
Some more upscale features include a power sunroof and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Vehicle occupants can adjust the brightness of the interior lighting. Meanwhile, exterior styling features almond-shaped headlights, eight available exterior paint colors, and design cues which GM Uzbekistan describes as giving the Lacetti “Italian elegance.”
The Chevy Lacetti originated in South Korea as the Daewoo Lacetti back in 2002. Its name is said to be derived from the Classical Latin adjective “lacertus,” meaning “powerfully muscular.” The car was produced in sedan, five-door hatchback, and wagon configurations, with the hatchback providing most of the styling cues now found in the sedan when it received a refresh in 2007.
A complex series of buyouts and production agreements led to the Lacetti being produced by various companies, including the Uzbek company Ravon, before its current status as one of a handful of models produced and marketed by GM Uzbekistan.
Variants of the Chevy Lacetti even appeared briefly in the North American market. A version of the Lacetti was sold in Canada as the Chevy Optra for the 2004 through 2007 model years. The vehicle also appeared in the U.S. between 2004 and 2008 under two different nameplates, the Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Reno.
The Lacetti appeared briefly in numerous other countries around the world, often branded with different names, but has enjoyed its longest – and currently ongoing – success in Uzbekistan and other CIS nations.
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Comments
Glorious legacy of Daewoo. How wonderful!
How much does a Uzbekistani camel cost?
About USD 900
To be honest, many Daewoo vehicles, including this one, were not so bad. In Eastern Europe, Matiz and Damas are still easily seen and becoming legend….
Chinese car will crush this junk from now on
GM sold their stake in the Uzbekistan business to the government owned UzAuto Motors in 2020. They still produce Chevrolet branded cars under license.