2000 Daewoo Lanos

By Bob Storck

Daewoo products have the benefit of worldwide design and engineering centers. Now they have gone from a limited marketing using corporate stores to a wide network of franchised dealers. The cars have a good trouble free reputation in England, and are attractively styled, with such features as ABS, dual airbags, 4 speed automatic transmissions, keyless entry systems, CD players, leather interiors, climate control and much more available or even standard on many models.

The well equipped and priced Lanos is probably the car that is the most likely to succeed of all the Daewoo products. Daewoo sell the Lanos from $8,669 to $12,000, depending on equipment. In the United States, two body styles will be available: a three-door hatchback and a four-door sedan.

A Daewoo-designed four-cylinder engine pushes 105 horsepower through the front wheels and either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. Better tires and a few engine mods could turn this car into a pocket rocket. That might help Daewoo's image with college students, the company's target market.