• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2003 Chevrolet Optra Preview

An Import by Any Other Name

Introduced in 1981 as a 1982 model, the Chevy Cavalier has served GM well as an entry-level vehicle and fleet unit. After a twenty-plus year run, the old platform has fallen behind the refinement offered by competing models from Japanese manufacturers. The result has caused General Motors to rapidly lose ground in the compact segment of the market, making a huge investment to reverse the hemorrhaging inevitable.

Enter Daewoo. The automaker, hardly known to new car buyers, has manufactured small cars and a variety of utility vehicles in Korea since the mid 1950s. Although robust, there new models have been starved of research and development. Somewhat outclassed by other Asian auto manufacturers

Daewoo had been making small cars since the mid 1950s, but when they fell behind in the market bankruptcy loomed. (Photo: Daewoo)

and overwhelmed by an unstable Korean economy, Daewoo found itself grounded on the shores of bankruptcy.

The worlds largest auto manufacturer, General Motors, has enormous research and development capacity. What they didnt have was a series of strong contenders in the huge, worldwide market of modern, efficient compact cars. It doesnt take an MBA to figure this one out: By combining forces in October of 2002 with Daewoo

In October 2002 a new subsidiary called GM Daewoo Auto & Technology was formed. (Photo: General Motors)

and partnering with Suzuki, General Motors applied a tourniquet to the internal bleeding in the form of a dynamic new subsidiary known as GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, or GMDAT for short.

General Motors owns 41.9% of GMDAT, Suzuki owns 14.9%, the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. owns 10% and 33% goes to the Korean Development Bank. Now that the pie slicing is complete, lets examine this latest example of automotive globalization: The Chevy Optra.

The new Chevy has been designed for worldwide consumption, being sold with

Targeted at first time buyers, the Chevy Optra comes packed with standard features at a value price. (Photo: General Motors)

the bowtie brand in Asian markets. It also appears as a somewhat modified Suzuki Forenza as well as share the same architecture with the Daewoo Nubira. All variations on the model will be manufactured in a new plant in Korea. Essentially, its a small four-door sedan configured in the usual four-cylinder, front wheel drive layout. For reference, it is 2.5-inches longer than a Honda Civic four door sedan and of similar height and width.

Chevys new compact will comfortably seat five adults in an interior described by GM as "highly functional and visually attractive." Look for thoughtful extras such as a height adjustable drivers seat with

Clean lines and attention paid to details should make the Optra a sales winner. (Photo: General Motors)

lumbar support, a storage tray beneath the passenger seat and trunk access through a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Also standard is a deluxe gauge cluster featuring a tachometer and coolant temperature gauge.

Im always impressed when automakers take time to consider the little things, especially in lower-end models. GM has accomplished this by equipping the Optra with standard items as grocery bag hooks, seatback pockets, sunglasses holder, central storage deposit tray, an additional 12-volt outlet and a block heater to fend off cold winters.

Optras clean lines and smooth skin looks entirely modern, that in my view is more European than American (how refreshing for a GM product). The overall design is well proportioned and pleasing to a conservative

With the largest network of dealers and retailers in the nation, Optra owners will never be far from a service or parts center. (Photo: General Motors)

eye. Nothing too daring or racy, thank you very much.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo