Green Cars

The Daewoo Motor Company, is a subsidiary of General Motors, and has been since 2001. The goals of Daewoo are to provide inexpensive, environmentally friendly, entry level cars. Daewoo chiefly produces its cars in South Korea, and Vietnam, but many are exported to other parts of Asia, and Europe. General Motors also markets some cars in North America under its subsidiaries including Chevrolet, Suzuki, and Saturn. General Motors has plans to expand production to more parts of the world depending on the success of current models in areas they already produce Daewoo's.

For the large part Daewoo has succeeded in producing a wide variety of environmentally friendly cars. Many Daewoo's have better than average or higher fuel economy, with a low carbon footprint. Daewoo lineups of environmentally friendly cars go under many names. Between 1999 and 2002 Daewoo produced a compact car called the Lanos. The Lanos boasted a fuel economy of 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, very close to the vastly more popular Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. During the same time period Daewoo also produced a mid-size sedan labeled the Nubira. The Nubira had a fuel rating of 23 mpg city and 28+ on the highway. This is also comparable to the more popular Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. During this time frame Daewoo also produced a large luxury sedan named the Leganza. The Leganza used an inline four cylinder engine, almost unheard of for a larger luxury type sedan. The Leganza had a very respectable 21 mpg city and 25 mpg+ highway fuel economy, which is very good for this class of vehicle. As a bonus these used Daewoo's go for an average of between $1,400 for the low of 1999 models and $4,300 for the 2002 models.

In the North American market General Motors produces and distributes a Daewoo car under the name of the Chevrolet Aveo. The Chevrolet Aveo began production in 2003 as a compact, fuel efficient car targeted at first time car buyers, and commuters. The Aveo offers a 1.6 liter four cylinder engine that has ample horsepower and torque to power the 2,500 pound car. With this small engine combined with the light weight, the Chevy Aveo produces a fuel economy of 24 mpg city and a great 34 mpg highway. The Aveo has over gone a little of a face lift since 2003, but will not sacrifice any of its outstanding fuel economy. In fact, General Motors has plans to make it more fuel efficient in the future. General Motors also has plans to expand the Aveo line to include Flex Fuel and Hybrid versions of the Aveo. Plus with the base model Aveo starting at $10,000 it is also easy on the budget, and with the government providing tax breaks on fuel efficient, and alternative fuel cars the price could be cheaper than that.

Because of increased pressure from the public, environmentalists, and the Government, General Motors will devote much of their research and marketing on expanding the Daewoo brand. With the advances in alternative fuels, and flex fuel technologies, along with hybrid design, General Motors and Daewoo will only succeed in making cars that continue to become more and more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.