GM Korea's Impala Might Just Help The Company Increase Its Local Market Shares On Full-Size Sedans With Over 5,000 Orders So Far
After struggling to expand its local market shares on full-size sedans, GM Korea might just get back on its feet, thanks to the Impala's release. The latest model of South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer has become a hit.
Korea Joongang Daily states in an article on Wednesday that since the Impala has been made available on August 31, the company has received more than 5,000 orders, including pre-orders since July 31.
The automaker's marketing chief says that the company has high hopes that the new sedan will overshadow other vehicles from rival automotive manufacturers such as Hyundai Motor and its affiliate, Kia Motors.
Meanwhile, GM Korea vice president in sales and marketing Marc Comeau is confident that its latest flagship will be a big hit in South Korea. In a report by Korea Times on August 16, he says, "We have so far received 2,000 pre-orders and the number will likely reach 5,000 by September 1 when we officially introduce it."
He goes on, "The Impala has head-turning design, a comfortable and roomy interior, powerful performance and advanced safety features. This has enabled the car to attract millions of Americans for decades."
"To better serve Korean customers, the Impala sold here has locally tailored features, such as power-folding side mirrors, an electronic toll-collecting system, rain-sensing wipers, standardized navigation, a 220V power outlet, rear audio controls and heated rear seats," Comeau adds.
On the other hand, The Wall Street Journal reported on August 10 that Impala sedans has only been available in the Philippines and to some Middle Eastern countries like United Arab Emirates, before its launch in South Korea.
"The car has never been sold in as large an overseas market as Korea," a GM spokesman says. This launch will prove to be a test bed for GM to gauge the possibility of expanding the global market for the Impala."
GM Korea will likely achieve its goal of selling 20,000 Impala sedan units per year as the company has already reached the 5 thousand mark since the model launched last month.
