GM Agrees to Pay Korean Workers a Record Bonus of $6,140 Each and Increase Basic Salaries by 4.7%!

The South Korean division of General Motors has agreed to a record bonus payment for its employees following a partial strike last week. This was the first organized union strike to hit GM Korea in three years and it led to a production loss of 9,700 units.

The agreement between GM Korea and the union includes a raise of basic salaries by 4.7% and, more importantly, a $6,140 (6.5 million won) bonus to each worker.

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2007 GM Daewoo G2X

(from General Motors Press Release) G2X - An Exhilarating Roadster for Korea

The premiere of the unique G2X roadster a few months ahead of its domestic sales, which start in late summer, is a true highlight of this year’s Seoul Motor Show.

Its longitudinally front-installed 2.0-liter 260-hp engine with turbocharger and gasoline direct injection accelerates the roadster to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.5 seconds, and to a top speed of about 227 km/h.

“The G2X is a classic roadster with abundant power and breathtaking acceleration. Hence, it will offer true sports car performance and an exhilarating driving experience,” said Grimaldi. “To further strengthen the GM Daewoo brand, we will offer Korean consumers something no other Korean manufacturer has in its showroom.”

The G2X brings with it a lot of personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look. With a wide stance, sleek silhouette, long front-hinged hood and short overhangs, the proportions are typical of its class.

High-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and twin counter-rotating balance shafts provide the basis for the 1,998-cm 3 four-cylinder engine’s impressive performance data. Maximum output of 194 kW/260 hp at 5,300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm (35.9 kh.m) between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations.

For the G2X, engineers designed a classic sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1,543/1,561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2,415 mm. All four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced.

An automatic five-speed transmission with limited slip differential efficiently provides propulsion power to the rear wheels. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects. All wheels are fitted with large disk brakes, while ABS and ESP (which, like Traction Control, can be switched off) monitor safety.

Seoul Auto Show: GM Daewoo G2X

SEOUL, S. Korea — GM Daewoo will get a Korean-market version of the Saturn Sky roadster this summer. Unveiled last week at the Seoul auto show, the Daewoo edition is called G2X.

The showcar features the same turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline direct-injection engine that powers the Sky Red Line. Rated at 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the engine propels the two-seater from zero to 60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds; top speed is 141 mph.

The G2X is fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission and limited-slip differential. ABS, traction control and stability control are standard.

GM Daewoo will have a unique position in the Korean market with the G2X. It will announce pricing closer to the car's official on-sale date in August.

Seoul Auto Show: GM Daewoo L4X

SEOUL, S. Korea — GM Daewoo will join the evolving market in South Korea for large rear-wheel-drive sedans with a companion model to the upcoming Pontiac G8. A concept version of the Daewoo sedan, badged as the L4X, made its debut last week at the Seoul auto show.

GM Daewoo said the L4X is "close to a production version." It did not specify when the actual production model would go on sale, but sources in South Korea expect to see the big sedan reach Daewoo dealers in 2008.

Basic engineering, as with the Pontiac G8, was done by GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia.

The L4X features GM's 3.6-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers 258 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque.

In South Korea, the production version of the L4X will compete with Hyundai's upcoming premium sedan, a rear-wheel-drive successor to the home-market Dynasty, recently previewed at the New York auto show as the Genesis concept. Unlike the Hyundai sedan, however, GM has no plans to market the big Daewoo sedan in North America. A companion model, expected to be badged as a Buick, is expected to make its debut later this month in China at the Shanghai auto show.