General Motors (GM) announced on the 15th that GM Korea would invest $300 million (approximately 442.9 billion KRW) in its production facilities in South Korea. This move is interpreted as an effort to dismiss rumors of withdrawal that had sparked earlier this year due to U.S. government tariffs and the closure of direct service centers.
On this day, GM Korea held the ‘GM Korea Business Strategy Conference 2026’ at the GM Cheongna Driving Test Facility in Cheongna International City, Seo-gu, Incheon, and announced its business strategies for next year. The plans include maximizing the operation of the Bupyeong and Gunsan plants to meet the demand for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) such as the Chevrolet Trax Crossover and Trailblazer.
Additionally, GM Korea revealed its intention to inject 442.9 billion KRW to upgrade vehicles in Korea, aiming to create a foundation for sustained production beyond 2028. However, there was no specific schedule indicating when and how much would be invested.
Hector Villarreal, president and CEO of GM Korea, stated, “We will continue to invest in domestic production capabilities to strengthen our medium- to long-term competitiveness,” reaffirming that “GM’s commitment to Korea remains unchanged and we are more prepared than ever for a sustainable future.”
GM Korea plans to enhance its portfolio in the domestic market with SUVs, next-generation internal combustion vehicles, and electric vehicles, while continuously applying advanced technologies such as Super Cruise. The premium brand Buick will be officially launched in Korea next year with the introduction of one vehicle model, and the commercial vehicle specialty brand GMC will launch three models, expanding the brand’s presence.
GM Korea also announced its intention to strengthen Korea’s role as a global engineering hub through the newly established virtual engineering lab within the Cheongna Driving Test Facility. The virtual center integrates 10 experimental facilities, including the electric systems bench, virtual reality (VR) workstation, and driver-in-the-loop simulator, which were previously scattered within the company.
Brian McMurray, president of the GM Technical Center Korea, commented, “The renovation of the Cheongna Driving Test Facility, including the new virtual center, accelerates the shift to integrated virtual and physical development,” adding, “Such changes will play a critical role in enhancing GM’s global engineering capabilities.”