GM Korea, the local unit of the U.S.-based General Motors, on Friday celebrates its 12th year in Korea.

According to officials on Thursday, the company’s president and CEO Sergio Rocha visited the carmaker’s operations nationwide in Bupyeong, Gunsan, Boryeong and Changwon to host celebrations with employees this month.

During the visits, Rocha discussed the company’s achievements over the past 12 years and its current challenges and future business plans overall. He also encouraged employees to work as a team for long-term competitiveness and sustainability. 

“I want to express my profound appreciation for all employees’ significant contribution to GM Korea’s success over the past 12 years,” Rocha said in a statement.

“Now is the time for us to take GM Korea to the next level. I can assure that if we all work together as one team, we will prove ourselves to be competitive and drive our way to a sustainable future.”

According to GM Korea, which sells GM and Chevrolet brands here, it has invested more than 1 trillion won ($940 million) annually since its establishment on Oct. 17, 2002.

Its annual sales increased fivefold to 2 million vehicles last year. Its accumulated sales reached some 19 million vehicles.

During the same period, the number of employees more than doubled to 17,000.

The company pledged to continue expanding its presence in the domestic and global markets by pouring more resources into research and development activities, products and facilities.

Among GM’s global operations, the Korean unit is better known for its expertise in designing and building compact cars like the Chevrolet Spark mini car and the Chevrolet Trax crossover.

The Buick Encore, which is manufactured at the Bupyeong plant, also topped the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Study in the small sport utility vehicle segment for the second consecutive year.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)