First ever participation in worldwide championship for GM’s largest brand

Chevrolet will race in the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). For the first time in its history Chevrolet, GM’s largest global brand, is entering a full factory team in an official FIA world championship.

The announcement comes less than a week after the news that Chevrolet would begin to market a range of cars in the UK/Western Europe built primarily by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) in Korea, a strategy already successfully deployed in North and South America, Asia Pacific, South Africa and, most recently, Central and Eastern Europe.

New Lacetti four-door is chosen race car

Three Chevrolet Lacetti four-door saloons (formally known as the Daewoo Nubira in the UK) are being developed, built and entered into the 2005 championship series by the renowned British racing team RML (Ray Mallock Limited).

"We are excited about the launch of GM’s first FIA world championship entry with Chevrolet," said Andy Carroll, designated Managing Director of Chevrolet UK. "A strong motorsport presence, with a car developed in the UK, provides the perfect stage for a strong brand to showcase its core values to a global audience. The FIA World Touring Car Championship provides exactly the platform Chevrolet needs to achieve its goals."

"Chevrolet was looking for a product with high potential. We are delighted and honoured that a car developed and built by GM Daewoo has been chosen to spearhead the brand’s European growth," said Nick Reilly, President and CEO of GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. (GM DAT). "You need an experienced technical partner when you take on a programme like the WTCC. RML has a proven track record and expertise in motorsport, and touring cars in particular."

"We are very proud to represent Chevrolet in its first global motorsports challenge," said Ray Mallock, founder and Managing Director of RML. "We are looking forward to a very promising and successful relationship with the brand."

The WTCC replaces the current European Touring Car Championship (ETCC). It will be run in 10 countries in Europe and Latin America as well as in China.

"When we were looking for a suitable platform to showcase the fact that Chevrolet is now a true global brand, we were immediately convinced of the benefits of the FIA World Touring Car Championship," said Eric N

Cool, been years since we have seen Hevrolet in action on the european circuits!

(edit, he's spellchecked it now )

(as a side note, I hear that the Daewoo brand is going to be dropped and re-branded as hev... chevrolet in the UK)