GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, the South Korean unit of U.S. automaker General Motors Co., said Friday it began producing its new compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Chevrolet Orlando.

   The vehicle will be produced at the GM Daewoo plant in Gunsan, 270 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The Orlando is scheduled to be launched here next month as the first of seven Chevrolet vehicles set to be introduced in South Korea this year.

   "The Orlando is the first model from Chevrolet's next-generation product line-up that will lead the Chevrolet brand in the Korean market, said Mike Arcamone, president and CEO of GM Daewoo.

   "This model was developed together with the strengths of GM's global engineering and design team not only to lead the growth of Chevrolet brand with its excellent design, but also with the greatest standards of quality and performance in the global as well as domestic markets," Arcamore was quoted as saying at a ceremony marking the start of production.

   Meanwhile, the company announced Thursday a change of its name to GM Korea Co., but said the change will become effective after it is registered with local authorities, likely before the end of March.