In Stato Veritas -- Holden sends long-wheelbase limo to Korea

Holden has formally commenced exports to South Korea. The subject of the export program, the new GM Daewoo Veritas is based on Holden's existing WM Caprice and is built at Holden's plant at Elizabeth in South Australia. It features V6 engines from the company's Port Melbourne engine operations.

The announcement of the formal commencement of exports was made this morning by Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss. Reuss (pictured centre) was joined by a posse of pollies including Federal Minister for Trade, Simon Crean (left).

The Veritas is the production version of the L4X showcar (more here) which made its debut at the April 2007 Seoul Motor Show.

The car is tailored to the marketplace and includes a number of changes over the WM models constructed for local consumption. These include massaging and reclining rear seats and electric-adjustable headrests and LCD screens.

Reuss said GM Daewoo had drawn on Australian expertise and resources for a vehicle tailored to meet the needs of the Korean market.

"GM Holden develops its large cars to be world class and we are seeing that paying dividends with new export programs like the one announced today," Reuss said.

"Exports are an increasingly important part of our business and Veritas again proves we have the capability to design, engineer and build vehicles for a wide range of consumers and markets," the Holden boss opined.

Veritas is the second export arrangement for Australian-built vehicles between GM Daewoo and GM Holden. In 2005, GM Holden exported nearly 2000 of the previous generation WL Statesman to Korea marketed as the GM Daewoo Statesman.

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