Daewoo's model offensive

Daewoo has just launched its new Lacetti five-door hatchback and Nubira four-door saloon, both with a 1

Daewoo has just launched its new Lacetti five-door hatchback and Nubira four-door saloon, both with a 1.4 litre 93 bhp engine. They also have identical prices, from €16,995 ex works for the entry-level models.

Daewoo is keen to highlight pricing. In the case of the Lacetti, Tom McQuerins, managing director, points to a €920 difference over the Skoda 1.4 five-door Ambiente and €2,570 against the 1.4 litre Toyota Corolla. The Nubira has a €2,500 benefit over the 1.5 litre Nissan Almera and €2,715 against the Ford Focus 1.4 LX. McQuerins is expecting sale of over 1,000 Nubiras and 600 to 800 Lacettis in a full year.

"These cars are part of a model offensive from GM Daewoo over the next 18 months," says McQuerins. "It includes a seven-seater MPV called Scope with two- and four-wheel-drive and a new Matiz. We'll also have our own Daewoo-manufactured diesel engines next year."

CORRECTION: In last week's edition, due to a typing error, it was incorrectly stated that projected sales of the new Audi A6 were 80 to 100 in a full year. This should have read 800 to 1,000.