GM Daewoo on a Roll
CEO Grimaldi disclosed his goal during fourth anniversary meeting
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology aims to write another success story under the helm of the newly appointed CEO Michael A Grimaldi after posting brilliant performances in the past four years.
Replacing Nick Reilly, who has been promoted to president of GM Asia Pacific and GM group vice president, Grimaldi took office as CEO-president of GM Daewoo and concurrently as GM group vice president last August.
GM Daewoo CEO Grimaldi unveiled his goal during a meeting with reporters in celebration of the fourth anniversary of the establishment of GM Daewoo at the GM Daewoo Bupyeong plant on May 11. He said his company will do its best to take a lead in product quality, design and creation of the value for customers, based on the brilliant accomplishments the company has made in the past four years.
CEO Grimaldi told reporters that GM Daewoo has been selected as the architecture development headquarters for GM group's global light vehicle production program.
GM Daewoo's global light vehicle development team is going to develop a new light vehicle architecture to meet diverse demands for GM brands put on the global market, he said.
GM Daewoo's selection as the architecture development headquarters for GM group's global light vehicle production program is expected to solidify GM Daewoo's position in the Asia-Pacific region with a rising demand for light vehicles and such areas as Europe where light vehicles traditionally enjoy popularity, CEO Grimaldi said. This is owed to GM Daewoo staff's concerted efforts during the short period of four years and GM Daewoo's long-term investments, he added.
Grimaldi said GM Daewoo's selection as the architecture development headquarters for GM group's global light vehicle production program was only part of the accomplishments GM Daewoo has made for the past four years. GM Daewoo sold 1,104,585 vehicles during the first ninth months of 2006, a 240 percent jump from the same period of 2002.; GM Daewoo chalked up 8,292.7 billion won in sales and 64.7 billion won in net income to post the first black figure last year for the first time three years after its inauguration; and the automaker developed and unveiled new cars, including premium mid-size sedan Tosca and its first Sports Utility Vehicle Winstorm; it conducted innovative marketing and after-sales campaigns; and the company hired 4,500 recruits, including 1,600 employees, who were rehired after dismissal as part of its efforts to build up an amicable labor-management relationships through trust and open communications.
CEO Grimaldi urged his officers and staff to conduct their self development and make continuous efforts as Korean automakers, including GM Daewoo, are expected to face numerous challenges and tasks amid the global development and more fierce competition of the global automobile industry.
He noted that GM Daewoo needs to make investments into product production, development and design targeting the global market on a continuous basis. GM Daewoo has so far made investments into such projects as a diesel engine plant capable of producing 250,000 units per annum and a high speed circuit and R&D center project in the Incheon Free Economic Zone.
GM Daewoo Hosts Experience Winstorm ESP Event
GM Daewoo invited 100 members of Winstorm Internet clubs to experience one of the most significant automotive safety systems available today at the Experience Winstorm ESP event, which was held at the Korea Automobile Test and Research Institute on May 13.
ESP (electronic stability program) - a feature in the GM Daewoo Winstorm SUV - greatly improves vehicle safety performance in situations where the vehicle could deviate from the driver's intended path. It helps avoid a potential collision by electronically correcting the direction of the vehicle through the application of brakes on individual wheels and engine torque management.
The Experience Winstorm ESP event included a presentation on how ESP works and driving tips for the effective use of ESP. Following a professional driving demonstration, club members had the opportunity to ride in a Winstorm with ESP and the same model without ESP. A driving course with steep curves, obstacles and slippery roads demonstrated vividly how ESP helps keep the vehicle on the right path under difficult conditions. nw
GM Daewoo CEO Michael A Grimaldi. (right) GM Daewoo's SUV Winstorm |