Daewoo to be used as source for future Vauxhalls?
May 4, 2009 by Matt Brogan
With GM’s current financial status being what it is, and subsidiary companies Opel and Vauxhall also suffering, General Motors’ CEO Fritz Henderson recently revealed Vauxhall will be staying in the GM group of companies even if Opel is sold off.
This leaves Vauxhall with an uncertain future, but for one possible outcome – to source vehicles from GM’s South Korean Daewoo unit.
Although the situation seems ideal on the surface, the problem for UK buyers is that most of the Daewoo vehicles that could be used for the Vauxhall line-up are already sold there under the Chevrolet banner.
It has been speculated however that GM, although well known for badge engineering, would be very unlikely to attempt such a risky marketing move given its current state.
The other alternative, and a very real one at this juncture, is for Vauxhall to absorb Chevrolet in the UK.
That move would prevent any problem overlap, but could also prove to be extremely time consuming as well as logistically challenging.
Vauxhall could also import a larger number of Holden vehicles with GM’s Australian unit already supplying Vauxhall with a version of its Commodore sedan, though currently it can offer little else.
So although it is unclear as to how GM will continue to supply Vauxhall, or even if the company will continue to exist, it’s almost certain the brand will change once more. Whether this is good or bad news however remains to be seen.
Print it: 
ill say it again that gm dropping the daewoo matiz a few years back was the most idiotic decision in automotive history, no for sight at all, I guess they will learn to look at least 10 years into the future next time around
When GM file for bankruptcy at the end of the month and restructure, some time this year Holden manufacturing will cease in Australia. Commodore will become yet another fully imported Daewoo.
OFF TOPIC……where is the result of the V8 Comparo ??
Secure Vauxhall’s future by selling crap? Brilliant!
Hi Big End,
It’s coming mate. We did have it scheduled for this morning but our photographer is experiencing some technical difficulties in uploading pics.
We should have it published later on this arvo.
Thanks for your patience, Matt.
Daewoo to be used as source for future Vauxhalls?
Even the Poms don’t deserve this.
ok thanks matt…….
Millatime……..thats correct.
I have no idea what you guys are on about…
Isn’t Opel and Vaxhall group under the same company, coz what I remember seeing in European website article that GM is selling off “Opel/Vaxhall”.
I also recall reading from magazines that in UK, Opel has to sell using the Vaxhall name because Opel’s name contains some Nazi Germany history or something.
If u visit Opel’s website, you are able select Great Britain and it leads you to Vaxhall’s website. (but you can’t select Australia which would lead you to Holden’s website)
Also if u had a look in the Vaxhall range 9/10 vehicle is an Opel (where the last one is an HSV), unlike holden which has 6 actual holden vehicle (commodores and family), 4 Daewoo (Barina,Cruze,Epica,Captiva), 2 Opel (Astra and Combo)and 1 Isuzu(Colorado).
Jon Leong
As far as vehicles with Holden badges I count it like this;
4 Daewoo’s (Barina,Cruze,Epica,Captiva)
1 Vauxhall/Opel (Combo, Astra is gone)
1 Isuzu copy
2 GM derivatives (Commodore/Statesman)
0 actual Holdens
Millatime, it’s not an Isuzu copy as GM used to own a controlling stake in Isuzu. If you want an Isuzu copy, check out the upcoming GWM SA220 and V240…
The Commodore and Statesman are also actual Holdens and not GM derivatives, with the Zeta platform being picked up post-VE development.
Strikes me as ironic that this site is plagued by know-it-all armchair ‘experts’ who think they know everything on the car industry, while at the same time panning GM for manufacturing vehicles in Korea…this is 2009 not 1950 – get with reality and deal with it
What a bunch of rocket scientists
Andrew
As we know GM no longer have a stake in Isuzu, so they are re-badging the Isuzu ute as a Colorado, hence “copy”. Commodore and Statesman are built on GM’s global platform.
Roddy
I think it’s ironic that I’m yet to read a great review for a Korean manufactured car. You need to wake up mate to the reality of GM and Holden offering up for sale completely sub standard rubbish. This is 2009, not 1950. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand why GM are about to file for bankruptcy. 60 years of rubbish and they still havn’t learned.
Havent read a great review for a Korean manufactured car?
And wow, everybody…60 years on and Holden still haven’t produced a good car!
okaaaaaaaaay
haha thanks for proving my point
Andrew,
the colorado/rodeo has always been an Isuzu Copy/rebadge.
Every where else in the world, the rodeo was/is badged with an Isuzu.
Even the Rodeos we got here had Isuzu stamped on the tappet cover and ignition key.
Roddy
You’re just like GM mate, full of puff and hot air, but sadly sadly lacking in substance. Poor little guy, keep your chin up when GM file for bankruptcy.. you’ll be able to get lifelines number from directory assistance.
Roddy
Lifeline 131 114
Beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Just trying to help mate…
oooooh got under your skin didn’t I…
Any more gems of wisdom you would like to add?
ROFL
Fact is ….Holden = worst car in each class.
AT LAST someone is prepared to back up their inane comment with facts!
ROFL let’s see your facts presented here for everyone to read!
The article says that Daewoos could become the basis for future Vauxhalls.
That’s no great surprise given that GM has already said that Daewoo will become the [primary] centre for its Small FWD cars.
However; even if future Vauxhalls are based on Daewoo platforms – that doens’t necessarily mean that they will handle like Crap.
Because with a bit of engineering work on the suspension steering and brakes etc the performance and handling of the car can be improved…. I mean look at what Holden did with the VB-VK Commodore which was based on the old Rekord.
Therefore Vauxhall could either do their own bit of tweaking or get Lotus to do it as they have in the past
Article: Vauxhall could also import a larger number of Holden vehicles with GM’s Australian unit already supplying Vauxhall with a version of its Commodore sedan, though currently it can offer little else.
Yes at the moment the Commodore based VX-R8 is the only car that Holden export to the UK.
However; if GM does sell Opel [to Fiat} GM could transfer production of the Insignia to the Holden factory given that they own the right to the designs and the tooling etc.
That is whoever buys Opel could end up just buying the name and or the property.. remember what happened with the sale of Rolls Royce [between BMW and VW]?
I know its very unliklely to happen.. but my point is that whilst GM still own Opel; they could decide to build Insignia’s at Holden in Adelaide [instead of the Cruze]
as well as the Opel Factory in Europe..
Then when they sell Opel there is virtually nothing the buyer of opel could do about stopping production of Insignias at Holden.. particularly if they were wearing Vauxhall badges.. despite the fact they look the smae and use the smae components etc
Too right wheelnut, also the Rodeo is a aussie legend and
What about the torana, I mean english made cars are by far the most consistently crap quality ever made. but holden manged to make a aussie legend out of a Vaxhall Viva
Horse I think you’re thinking about the Vauxhall Vilot.. which was about the same size as a Austin A30 from the 1930-40s and as far as I am aware was never used by Holden as the basis for any of their models..
The original Holden the FX has more in common with the 1940s Chevrolet/Buick sedan
The Viva however; is actually a Daewoo… and if it such a “legend” how come it only lasted 5 years?
Wasn’t the original Torana based on a english Vauxhal viva ?
I am pretty sure.
You’re right Horse. I just referred to my Holden library and it appears that the original HB Torana was based on the Viva.. I knew it was based on a car from England/Europe; but I wasn’t sure what it was called.
However; just as they did with the Commodore; Holden went developed it even further to realise the full potential of the cars platform etc .. not only that but [overtime] they also improved the cars looks.
Coincidentally the name Torana is an Aboriignal word meaning “to fly” – which the LC LX and LH Torries do
Eeek not good news for Vauxhall. One less customer here although given what my vectra feels like after 100k’s they have lost me anyway.
Where would Opel fit in the UK if Vauxhall go Daewoo. My guess is another brand in the UK “Opel” selling better vehicles than Vauxhall.
Of course this article is all speculation by CA of course so my guess it will never happen.
Millatime, I know that GM no longer have interest in Isuzu but at the time of development of this vehicle, it was developed at a time where GM owned shares in the company and contributed to the Light Commercial Vehicle project by way of a joint venture between the two companies. While I acknowledge that it’s built by Isuzu, I’d hardly call this re-badging, as it was a joint venture. The phrase “re-badging” insinuates GM buying old designs it had no hand in, eg. Holden Apollo (Camry), Holden Viva (Lacetti).
Andrew M, the Rodeo/Colorado/D-Max is also sold as a Chevrolet. I know that the cars have parts that are stamped “Isuzu” but this is purely because they are manufactured by them. The vehicles were developed as part of the GM-Isuzu LCV joint venture.
Millatime ur an idiot. The Commodore is built on a Holden developed platform and so are the Statey and Caprice. The Captiva, Epica, Barina and Viva are Daewoo. The Astra is a euro and the Colorado is still Isuzu. Lets hope GM dont go bankrupt just so we can rub it in your face. Get off your intelligence High horse.
Millatime, mate, no victimising everyone and “correcting” their comments is in-Australian, so therefore I’m not gonna call you mate. Firstly, at this point, the Astra is still on sale, therefore it’s part of Holden’s Opel range (with Combo). The Daewoo part was correct, but the Commodore is a Holden car because Holden developed the platform and GM liked what they saw and used it for more models (this is why the Chevy Camaro was developed here). The “Isuzu-copy” Colorado isn’t a copy but is the same car, just with a different nose.
I just don’t get how you can go on every post and try to correct everyone’s comments. People can say whatever they want, and it’s not your cutie to correct them. Get over it!
I’m not a Holden fan ( if you remember correctly, I own a Skoda Octavia RS which got heavy criticism from you on previous Skoda posts) and despite that I know their range backwards (and every other maker mind you that’s how much I love cars). So I think you’re wrong in a number of ways!