Chevrolet Impalas Going Quickly in South Korea
Buyers in South Korea have flocked to order the Chevrolet Impala by requesting more than 3,000 of the full-size sedans, which is two to three times higher than expected, BusinessKorea is reporting.
The higher-than-expected draw in South Korea is part of a larger trend; according to the BBC, just around 6,000 cars were imported in 2000. In 2014, more than 196,000 cars were imported into the country, although many of those were European luxury models.
GM Korea forecasted 4,000 to 5,000 Impala models would be sold by the end of 2015, but Korean buyers are ordering 200 cars per day, which would exhaust their supply within one month.
Buyers in Korea are ordering the high-end models, too. The most popular pick for prospective Korean buyers is the 2.5-liter LTZ followed by the 3.6-liter LTZ, according to the report. The 2.5-liter LT is approximately 15 percent of the mix.
A spokesman for Chevrolet said Korea would be receiving Impala models built in Detroit.
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Further proof that, if you build a decent car, it can be successfully exported. Hope this is the beginning of a trend.
While it's not so obvious in Seoul, things are different now than just 3-4 years ago, especially so out in the smaller towns and cities. There's been an explosion in non-KDM vehicles since the signing and implementation of several free trade and tariff agreements. 3-4 years ago, while German cars weren't at all uncommon, it was rare to see Japanese brands. Now every apartment parking lot has several Lexuses, Toyotas, Infinitis and Nissans, with more Jags and Land Rovers than you used to see around before. In 2012, when I got a new MINI and a leased E350, there was some element of novelty that doesn't exist at all in 2015.
There's no overestimating how much South Koreans love a three-box saloon.
It's the styling. I knew it was going to be a hit first time I saw one in person last year, but strangely Mid size segment was a miss for recent trends in America. One of the only alternatives i think they have there is the Chrysler 300, with large panther boat like characteristics. Also by size the only cars that compare are $90k 528i's and $150k S Classes which most can't afford.