30.1.2004
First 500 winners drive off with GM Daewoo vehicles for one year

Test drivers in Korea receive Matiz, Kalos, Rezzo, Lacetti and Magnus models to evaluate quality and performance over next 12 months. 500 more winners to be selected between February and April.

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology marked the end of phase one of its unprecedented "1,000 Car Test Drive Event" with a vehicle hand-off ceremony today to winners in Bupyung, Incheon.

As the largest event of its kind in Korea's auto industry, the first 500 winners will receive brand new top-of-the-line new Matiz, Rezzo, Kalos, Lacetti and Magnus vehicles over the next two weeks in separate ceremonies held across the nation.

The vehicle hand-off ceremonies will take place at the Bupyung plant from January 29 to 30, at GM Daewoo's Gunsan plant on February 2 and at the Changwon plant on February 9. Test drive cars include 100 Matiz, 100 Kalos, 150 Lacetti, 50 Magnus and 100 Rezzo.

GM Daewoo President and CEO Nick Reilly kicked-off the first ceremony in Bupyung where keys were given to the first group of excited winners and accompanying family members. Also in attendance were Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, President Kim Suk-hwan of Daewoo Incheon Motor Co., President Lee Dong-ho of Daewoo Motor Sales Co., Park Yoon-bae, the head of the Bupyung District office and local assemblymen.

" Not only is this event the largest of its kind ever to be held in Korea, but this is by far the largest event ever initiated by GM anywhere in the world," said Reilly to the eager crowd. "But we would never have conducted such a program if we didn't have the confidence in the quality of our vehicles. Your critical input over the next twelve months will help us in our effort to meet your needs in all our future products."

Earlier in the day, all winners and their families took a tour of the Bupyung plant and received instructions on their roles and responsibilities as test drivers. After receiving their respective vehicles, the drivers participated in a lively parade to the accompaniment of a drum and fife band.

" We read that GM Daewoo cars have improved significantly over the past few years," said one winning father. "My family is excited about the opportunity to see the improvements for ourselves and to play a role in the development of GM Daewoo cars in the future."

As part of their agreement, test drivers will be required to submit evaluation reports every quarter. All setup costs, including registration, insurance and taxes will be covered by GM Daewoo. Drivers will be responsible for everyday driving expenses such as fuel, toll and parking.

GM Daewoo's unprecedented "1,000 Car Test Drive Event" was even more popular with Korean customers than expected, attracting a total of 628,626 entries for the first phase of the program. By model, a total of 239,125 customers selected the Magnus, 127,124 applicants chose the Rezzo, 162,960 selected the Lacetti, 51,035 applicants chose the Kalos and 48,382 opted for the Matiz. Selection of 500 winners for the second phase of the program will be conducted from February to April.