Record-high sales since company launch in 2002
GM Korea is putting up a good fight in the domestic market through expansion of its turbo model lineup together with a mid-size diesel sedan released recently as the first domestic brand. The company’s specialized models, such as Malibu Diesel, TRAX, Cruze and Aveo Turbo, are coming to prominence in the domestic automotive market that is filled with gasoline sedans. Based on the power train diversification strategy, GM Korea is recording the highest domestic sales this year since the company’s launch.
GM Korea announced on the 9th that it had sold a total of 136,272 cars in the domestic market until November, and thus recorded a sales growth by 2.3% from the same period last year (133,187 cars sold). This is the company’s record-high sales since its launch in 2002.
According to GM Korea, TRAX, Cruze and Aveo, which are applied with a turbo engine, as well as Malibu Diesel mounted with a diesel engine as the first mid-size sedan in Korea led the company’s domestic sales growth.
Released early this year, Malibu Diesel won popularity that the planned volume for this year was sold off in less than two months since release. As the production volume could not keep up with the large demand, some customers even had to wait for several months until they could make a purchase. Malibu Diesel produces excellent driving performance based on the combination of a large output European diesel engine (Opel) and an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission. 5,608 cars were sold in total from March to November this year. Thanks to Malibu Diesel’s performance, GM Korea’s Malibu sales this year (16,677 sold) rose sharply by as much as 70% from last year.
TRAX, a compact SUV that is the first turbo model of Chevrolet brand, is winning continuous popularity that the sales this year also increased by almost 30% from the last (9,195 sold this year). TRAX is mounted with a 1.4 liter 4-cyliner gasoline turbo engine as the first in Korea. It produces the maximum output of 140 horsepower and maximum torque of 20.4kg?m. In particular, compared to SUV models of the same class applied with a 2.0 diesel engine, TRAX produces a tax reduction effect by as much as KRW 270,000 a year, and thus attracted consumers.
Cruze Turbo, a mid-compact sedan, positioned itself securely in the niche market that its sales (4,463 sold) represent 27% of the total Cruze sales. Cruze Turbo is mounted with a 1.4 liter gasoline turbo engine, which has been improved in acceleration response and fuel efficiency. The high-tech oxygen sensor, especially, continuously optimizes fuel injection control for stable torque output. In addition, AVEO, of which the power train lineup for the 2015 model was fully changed to a 1.4 liter turbo engine, is forecast to continue on a favorable trend in sales.
“Our strategy of power train diversification to target the niche market in the domestic automotive market filled with mid-sized and mid-compact gasoline sedans is being received favorably,” said a GM Korea source. “We will continue to introduce new trend-leading products for various market segments.”
Yang Jong-seok | jsyang@etnews.com