This text was not translated, because it is originally in English
Although GM has long had a global presence it has lacked a global brand. Finally, it seems to have realized it needs one in order to compete effectively. Every other global auto company, such as Toyota, Ford and Volkswagen, enjoys having a brand name used worldwide.

When I drove through Eastern Europe five years ago I was amazed to see Chevrolet dealerships in every town. Of course, they were former Daewoo stores that received a name change after GM purchased Daewoo in 2001 and began rebadging Daewoo cars as Chevrolet.

Yesterday GM formerly dropped the Daewoo name. It is rebadging all its products as Chevrolet and the company is now known as GM Korea.

According to GM, a Chevrolet was sold somewhere in the world every 7. 4 seconds in 2010. Last year, more than 4. 26 million Chevrolets were sold around the globe, and currently one out of every four Chevrolet vehicles is manufactured in Korea.

Co-incidentally, yesterday Chevrolet Europe unveiled a new paint scheme for the Chevrolet Cruze race team that won last years WTCC. While Chevrolet might not need much promotion in the US, it is a brand that needs to make its presence felt in the world arena, and there is no better way than doing well in auto racing. It was the first time GM has ever won a FIA-sanctioned world championship – surely a good omen for Chevrolets future.

Who knows, perhaps the Opel, Holden and Vauxhall brand names will gradually disappear to be replaced by Chevrolet (and maybe Cadillac?) in the next few decades.