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GM Korea CEO Addresses Exit Concerns During Changwon Plant Visit

Hector Villarreal reassures employees as U.S. tariffs and declining sales raise questions about the company's future in South Korea.

In this photo taken May 15, 2025, and provided by GM Korea Co., the company's Chief Executive Officer Hector Villarreal talks to employees at the company's Changwon plant, 298 km southeast of Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • GM Korea CEO Hector Villarreal visited the Changwon plant on May 15 to meet employees and strengthen on-site management.
  • The visit follows growing speculation about a potential withdrawal from South Korea, linked to a 25% U.S. tariff on imported vehicles imposed in April.
  • GM Korea's sales dropped 9.1% between January and April 2025, with no new models launched during this period.
  • Approximately 85% of GM Korea's production is exported to the U.S., making the company highly vulnerable to American trade policies.
  • The company operates two plants in South Korea, producing the Trailblazer SUV in Bupyeong and the Trax Crossover in Changwon for both domestic and export markets.