GM Korea Model History

South Korea · founded 2002

General Motors' South Korean subsidiary — born from the 2002 acquisition of Daewoo Motor, and the birthplace of global GM compacts from the Spark and Cruze to the Trax and Trailblazer.

Models

Spark / Matiz

GM Korea's long-running micro-car — born as the Daewoo Matiz in 1998 and sold globally as the Chevrolet Spark until 2022.

City car · 1998–2022
Aveo / Sonic (Kalos / Gentra)

GM Korea's B-segment subcompact — launched as the Daewoo Kalos in 2002, then sold worldwide as the Chevrolet Aveo and later Sonic.

Subcompact car · 2002–2020
Lanos

A Giugiaro-designed compact hatchback and sedan — Daewoo's global small car before GM's 2002 takeover.

Compact car · 1997–2002
Nubira

Daewoo's C-segment compact sedan, hatchback, and wagon of the late 1990s — replaced by the Lacetti under GM Daewoo.

Compact car · 1997–2002
Lacetti / Cruze

GM Korea's global compact breakthrough — the Lacetti became the Chevrolet Cruze, one of GM's best-selling world cars.

Compact car · 2002–2019
Magnus / Tosca

GM Korea's mid-size D-segment sedan through the Daewoo era — the Magnus (2000–2005) replaced by the Tosca (2005–2011).

Mid-size car · 2000–2011
Malibu (Korea)

The globally engineered Chevrolet Malibu built at GM Korea's Bupyeong plant — Korea was actually the first market to receive the 8th-generation car.

Mid-size car · 2011–2022
Orlando

A seven-seat compact MPV developed and built by GM Korea — sold across Korea, Europe, Canada, and Latin America.

Compact MPV · 2011–2018
Captiva / Winstorm

GM Korea's first homegrown SUV — sold domestically as the Daewoo Winstorm (2006–2011) then as the Chevrolet Captiva until 2018.

Compact SUV · 2006–2018
Trax

GM Korea's globally successful subcompact crossover — launched in 2012 and redesigned in 2024, becoming South Korea's most exported vehicle.

Subcompact SUV · 2012–present
Trailblazer (crossover)

GM Korea's subcompact-plus crossover, reviving the Trailblazer nameplate for a Korean-built SUV that slots between the Trax and Equinox.

Subcompact SUV · 2020–present

Other makes