GM Daewoo Reaches Agreement to Establish Comprehensive Automotive Test Track and Research & Development Facilities
The test track and research facilities, which will be named ‘GM Daewoo Cheong-Na Tech Center,’ represent an additional KRW 100 billion investment by GM Daewoo. Of the KRW 100 billion, KRW 50 billion represents foreign direct investment from the company’s major shareholder, General Motors. GM Daewoo has invested more than KRW 3 trillion since its founding in 2002.
The 479,146-square-meter (145,000-pyong) site within the Incheon Free Economic Zone will be ready for construction by the first half of 2006. GM Daewoo will complete the test track in the middle of 2007 to be ready for operation and continue to build related research and development facilities over the next couple of years.
The test track will consist of many different roads and road conditions including a straight road, a course to test ride experience, a course to test driving stability, test hills, and test roads specific to the countries in which GM Daewoo vehicles are sold. These test roads will enable GM Daewoo engineers to better evaluate driving performance, noise, vibration, safety and convenience, among other factors.
In addition to the test track, GM Daewoo will build new test facilities to better evaluate driving performance and endurance of new vehicle models. A simulation facility will allow indoor driving testing. A climate wind tunnel will enable the simulation of different climate conditions including wind, rain and snow. In addition, the facilities will include an anechoic chamber to test noise, vibration and electromagnetic interference. The new facilities will enable GM Daewoo to share technical information with the rest of the GM global network.
According to Nick Reilly, the true beneficiaries of this new investment will be the company’s customers in Korea and around the world. “Customers can expect continued improvement in performance, drivability, quality and reliability. They can also expect new cars to make their way to market faster as development time will be shortened significantly.”
“We are very pleased to have signed the definitive agreement with Incheon City,” Reilly added. “Once these projects are completed, our capacity for product development will become even greater and reinforce our position as a global benchmark for high-quality, high-value vehicles. We’re especially pleased to be able to make these investments in Korea and in Incheon City. For the Korean automotive industry to continue to thrive, it is important that we continue to invest in improving our capability for the development of new technology.”
Mayor Ahn Sang Soo reinforced the significance of this investment for Incheon Municipal City. ”A significant foundation has been laid so that Incheon City can now become one of the strategic research and development bases for not only GM Daewoo but for the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, General Motors. This investment will provide both direct and indirect momentum toward activating regional economic growth and increasing employment opportunities for the members of the local community. Furthermore, it will reinforce the credibility of the Incheon Free Economic Zone among foreign investors.”
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, based in Incheon, Korea, was established in 2002. It has five manufacturing facilities in Korea as well as an assembly facility in Vietnam. GM Daewoo products are also assembled at GM facilities in China, Thailand, India, Colombia and Venezuela. In 2004, GM Daewoo sold over 900,000 vehicles with exports to more than 150 countries. Imported GM products from the Cadillac and Saab premium brands are sold in Korea through GM AutoWorld retailers. More information on GM Daewoo and its products can be found on the company’s corporate website at www.gmdaewoo.co.kr.
웹사이트: http://media.gm-korea.co.kr
연락처
GM Daewoo Public Relations Department 02-755-4043~4, 4048
