GM's 'CUV' Development Led by GM Technical Center Korea Draws Attention

Roberto Rempel, CEO of GM Technical Center Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] GM (General Motors)'s research and development hub, GM Technical Center Korea, has recently gained attention as it leads the development of GM's global new vehicles, including CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles).

Korea GM announced that GM Technical Center Korea, located in Bupyeong, Incheon, is leading the development of global vehicles such as the Chevrolet Spark, Trax, Cruze, Bolt EV (Electric Vehicle), and Trailblazer, in addition to CUV research and development. GM's next-generation CUV will be produced at the Changwon plant in Gyeongnam starting in 2023.

GM Technical Center Korea was spun off from Korea GM in January 2019 and launched as an independent corporation with the primary purpose of automotive research and development. It is the second-largest vehicle design and engineering organization within GM worldwide, following the U.S. headquarters, and mainly performs roles in design and engineering (vehicle development engineering, powertrain engineering).

Equipped with organizations and facilities specialized in vehicle development such as the Design Center, Engineering Center, Engine Drive Development Center, Production Technology Research Institute, and Cheongna Test Track, over 3,200 excellent R&D personnel support 24 vehicle development programs that GM is developing globally.

The predecessor of the current GM Technical Center Korea, the Korea GM Technical Research Institute, began in 1983 and has been dedicated to vehicle technology development. Similarly, the Design Center currently affiliated with GM Technical Center opened in 2003, a year after the launch of Korea GM in 2002, contributing to product design.

In February, the center conducted recruitment processes for new vehicle designers, digital designers, clay sculptors, and design business operators. Through this recruitment, GM Technical Center Korea plans to further strengthen its R&D capabilities for the development of GM's next-generation global products.

Roberto Rempel, CEO of GM Technical Center Korea, emphasized the center's core status within GM.

He said, "GM Technical Center Korea plays an important role in achieving GM's triple vision. The outstanding capabilities in vehicle technology design and development demonstrated by the designers and engineers at GM Technical Center Korea have been recognized, establishing it as one of GM's core technical centers."

He added, "I am confident that the CUV developed at GM Technical Center Korea and produced at the Changwon plant will gain great popularity not only in Korea but worldwide, bringing another major victory to both Korea GM and GM Technical Center Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.