1999-2002 Daewoo Leganza: Year-to-Year Changes

2000 Daewoo Leganza: Little was new in the Leganza's second year on the U.S. market. On the plus side, more Daewoo dealerships were appearing. At the same time, the South Korean company was facing serious financial troubles, prompting consideration of a possible takeover by one of the Big Three automakers.

2001 Daewoo Leganza: Changes were few for what Daewoo called its "affordable luxury" compact sedan. Antilock braking remained standard in the midrange SX and top-of-the-line CDX, but was unavailable for the SE sedan. Higher-powered audio systems were installed this year. A new upgrade package for the SE included a CD/cassette stereo, remote keyless entry/alarm system, cruise control, and foglamps. Although the increasingly embattled Daewoo company continued to send cars to the U.S. market, financial woes were mounting rapidly back home in South Korea. Prospective purchasers emerged, then backed away, and Daewoo's fate was increasingly uncertain.

2002 Daewoo Leganza: Leganza sedans lost some standard equipment for 2002. The midrange SX edition was gone, leaving only the base SE and upscale CDX. The CDX price was cut by $600, but it lost traction control, antilock braking, leather upholstery, and the sunroof--though all of those items remained optional. Automatic climate control no longer was available. In spring 2002, General Motors bought a sizable share of the assets of the Daewoo organization--but not its sales arm in the U.S. That move left dealers hanging, selling only leftover cars, and owners unsure how their vehicles would be repaired under warranty.