Daewoo Leganza
The Daewoo Leganza was replaced in 2003 by the Daewoo Evanda, which was renamed Chevrolet Evanda in 2005. The Daewoo brand was renamed Chevrolet in Europe at the end of 2004 / start of 2005 when GM bought the bankrupt Korean automaker. The Leganza midsized sedan was sold in the US from 1998 until Daewoo’s bankruptcy in 2002. Its successor was sold as the Suzuki Verona in the United States.
Daewoo Leganza Overview
The Daewoo Leganza was a mid-size sedan produced by the South Korean automaker Daewoo from 1997 to 2002. The name “Leganza” was derived from the combination of two Italian words: “Elegante” (elegant) and “Forza” (power). It was one of the key models in Daewoo’s attempt to establish a stronger presence in markets outside South Korea.
A unique aspect of the Leganza’s development is its design lineage. Daewoo sought to elevate its brand image and enlisted the help of renowned Italian design house, Italdesign Giugiaro. The end result was a modern and elegant sedan that helped the car stand out in its segment during its production years. The Leganza was built on the Daewoo V100 platform. It was the largest car in Daewoo’s lineup during its production and was positioned above the compact Daewoo Lanos and the mid-sized Daewoo Nubira.
Over its production life, the Leganza was equipped with a range of gasoline engines, including 1.8L, 2.0L, and 2.2L variants. These engines were paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. The Leganza offered a relatively upscale interior for its price point. Features such as leather seats, power accessories, and a premium sound system were available, making the car competitive in terms of comfort and amenities.
While it was marketed in many countries, the Leganza was particularly aimed at consumers in Europe and North America. In certain markets, it faced stiff competition from more established Japanese and European brands. Production of the Leganza ceased in 2002. It was effectively replaced by the Daewoo Magnus in some markets, which was later rebranded as the Chevrolet Epica or Chevrolet Evanda after General Motors took over Daewoo and rebranded it as GM Korea.
Daewoo Leganza Sales Figures
Despite the Leganza’s qualities, Daewoo faced significant financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, culminating in its bankruptcy. General Motors subsequently acquired key assets of Daewoo in 2001, leading to the formation of GM Daewoo (later known as GM Korea).
Daewoo Leganza U.S Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1,331 |
| 1999 | 12,913 |
| 2000 | 21,717 |
| 2001 | 18,347 |
| 2002 | 4,334 |
US Annual Growth
Daewoo Leganza Europe Sales Data & Charts
Europe Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 5,272 |
| 1998 | 10,519 |
| 1999 | 7,832 |
| 2000 | 5,615 |
| 2001 | 2,505 |
| 2002 | 1,302 |
| 2003 | 327 |
