US automaker General Motors’ (GM) Korean subsidiary GM Korea is planning to manufacture its next-generation electric vehicles (EV) in South Korea, as part of its attempt to restore momentum for the stalling vehicle technology.
The new EV models are expected to be bigger than its current Spark EV and will feature a completely new design, contrasting the Spark EV, which is derived from the existing gasoline engine variant.
GM Korea CEO Sergio Rocha said: "This (next-generation electric) car has a lot of similarities with the products we produce today in Bupyeong."
South Korea's LG Chem will be responsible for manufacturing and supplying batteries for GM's second generation of EVs, which will be built at the Bupyeong plant near Seoul.
Currently, the Korean subsidiary manufactures over 40% of the GM's Chevrolet-branded vehicles, while also producing the Malibu, Captiva, Trax and the Aveo models at Bupyeong plant.
Additionally, GM has revealed plans to build two EVS, which are aimed at offering 100 and 200-mile range respectively.
GM Korea has commenced the production of new Spark EVs in March 2013, which will be exported to the US market, with scheduled sales in South Korea and Europe to commence in the second half of 2013.
