{{Short description|South Korean compact car}} {{Infobox automobile | name = Daewoo Maepsy | image = Saehan_Maepsy_1982_-_Samsung_Mobility_Museum,_Yongin,_South_Korea.jpg | aka = Saehan Gemini (1977–1982)<br />Saehan Bird (export)<br />Saehan Maepsy (1982–1983)<br />Daewoo Maepsy-Na (1983–1986)<br />Daewoo Maepsy Sigma (LPG, 1986–1989)<br />Saehan Max (pickup, 1978–1983)<br />Daewoo Max (pickup, 1983–1988) | manufacturer = Daewoo | production = December 1977 – July 1986 (until February 1989 for taxi usage)<br />August 1979 – May 1988 (pickup) | assembly = South Korea: Bupyeong<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carlife.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=school&wr_id=1585 |title=GM-Daewoo Auto – 40 turbulent years |access-date=2010-03-08 |date=November 2001 |language=ko |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307030732/http://carlife.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=school&wr_id=1585 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | body_style = {{ubl | 2-door pickup truck | 4-door sedan}} | engine = {{ubl | 1.3 L Mazda ''TC'' I4 (1982–1984)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1982030100329205011&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1982-03-01&officeId=00032&pageNo=5&printNo=11206&publishType=00020|title=「맵시2」5月市販(월시판)…·「포니2」와 한판노려}}</ref> | 1.3 L Mazda ''TC'' LPG I4 (1982–1984)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1982042900329205015&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1982-04-29&officeId=00032&pageNo=5&printNo=11256&publishType=00020|title=맵시LPG택시 시판}}</ref> | 1.5 L Opel ''15N'' I4 | 1.5 L ''XQ'' I4 | 1.5 L ''XQ'' LPG I4 (1984–1989)<ref>{{cite web| date=2015-11-26 |title=대우자동차 - 대우택시 삼총사 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - Daewoo Taxi Three Musketeers catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220551226548&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1987031200099205010&editNo=2&printCount=1&publishDate=1987-03-12&officeId=00009&pageNo=5&printNo=6468&publishType=00020|title=맵시시그마 이달 市販(시판) 大宇自動車(대우자동차) 燃費(연비)개선}}</ref> | 2.0 L Opel ''20D'' diesel I4 (pickup) }} | transmission = 4-speed manual<br/>3-speed automatic | layout = FR layout | related = Isuzu Gemini<br />Chevrolet Chevette<br />Holden Gemini<br />Opel Kadett<br />Vauxhall Chevette | predecessor = Saehan Camina | successor = Daewoo LeMans }}

The '''Daewoo Maepsy''' ({{korean|대우 맵시}})<ref>{{cite web |last=Aspee |first=Diego |url=http://galeon.hispavista.com/clubdaewooracerchile/album1001591.html |title=Daewoo's 60' 70' y 80' |language=es |accessdate=20 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716110506/http://galeon.hispavista.com/clubdaewooracerchile/album1001591.html |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a compact car manufactured by Daewoo (and its predecessor Saehan) in South Korea from December 1977 to February 1989.<ref>{{cite web| date=2015-11-02 |title=새한자동차 - 제미니 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Saehan Motors - Gemini catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220526832994&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref> The Maepsy was a rebadged version of the PF50 Isuzu Gemini (itself a rebadged Opel Kadett C). It was originally sold as the '''Saehan Gemini''' ('''Saehan Bird''' in export markets); in February 1982 the car became the '''Saehan Maepsy'''. In 1983 it was called the Daewoo Maepsy after Saehan Motor was bought out by the Daewoo Group, and after a facelift later that year the car became the '''Daewoo Maepsy-Na''' (''New Maepsy'', 맵시나). The word "maepsy" means "beautiful" in Korean.

==Design== The original Gemini was equipped with a 1492&nbsp;cc imported four-cylinder engine. Power was {{convert|73|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,400&nbsp;rpm, for a claimed top speed of {{convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/4817112479/ |title=Saehan Bird ''(brochure)'' |language=Greek |publisher=Daewoo Motor Co., Kopelousos A.E.}}</ref> This imported engine made the car rather expensive, however, and when the Hyundai Pony was introduced Saehan's market share dropped precipitously.<ref>{{cite web| date=2017-12-08 |title=맵시나 XQ(??)광고 |trans-title=Maepsy-Na XQ(??) Advertisement |url=https://blog.naver.com/bf101/221158800354 |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref> A measure of popularity was retained as the Gemini was the only compact car in South Korea with an available automatic transmission.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ho-jeong |first=Lee |date=14 December 2009 |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2913903 |title=Blast From the Past #11: Small sedan made a big contribution to Daewoo Motor Co |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |accessdate=17 January 2011}}</ref>

In 1981, in an attempt at consolidating the South Korean transportation industry which had been hard hit by the 1980 recession,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stern |first1=Joseph J. |last2=Kim |first2=Ji-hong |last3=Perkins |first3=Dwight H. |last4=Yoo |first4=Jung-ho |year=1995 |title=Industrialization and the State: The Korean Heavy and Chemical Industry Drive |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |publisher=Harvard Institute for International Development |page=160 |isbn=0-674-45225-9}}</ref> the new military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan forced Kia to give up production of its Brisa and focus entirely on light trucks. In return, Saehan and Hyundai had to give up this segment of the market, while a planned merger of the two did not come to fruition. Not only did these changes allow Saehan a bigger share of the market, but they were also able to use the domestically built 1.3-liter (Mazda TC) engine that Kia no longer had any use for, which lowered the price of the new Maepsy considerably.<ref>{{cite web |last=So |first=Rachel K |date=24 September 2008 |url=https://rachelkso.blogspot.com/2008/09/samsung-transportation-museum.html |title=Samsung Transportation Museum |publisher=Rachel's Random Ramblings |accessdate=18 July 2016}}</ref> The facelifted Saehan Maepsy was introduced in February 1982, with the 1.3-liter engine using LPG and producing {{convert|76|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} (SAE) for a top speed of {{convert|151|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}. The 1.5-liter model claimed {{convert|84|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} (SAE) but somehow had a slightly lower top speed of {{convert|150|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} ({{convert|140|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} for the automatic).<ref>{{cite web| date=2011-08-16 |title=대우자동차 - 맵시 Automatic 리플렛 ('83) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - Maepsy Automatic leaflet ('83) |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=30115796719&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref> In 1983, the name was changed to Daewoo Maepsy.<ref>{{cite web| date=2016-03-23 |title=대우자동차 - 맵시나 카탈로그 ('84) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - Maepsy-Na Catalog ('84) |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220662759329&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

In September 1983, for the 1984 model year, the car received another facelift, with bigger rectangular headlamps, becoming the Maepsy-Na in the process. The rear was also changed, echoing the design of the 1979 Isuzu Gemini.<ref>{{cite web| date=2016-03-25 |title=대우자동차 - '86 맵시나 하이디럭스 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - '86 Maepsy-Na Hi-Deluxe catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220664290072&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref> The ''XQ'' engine was built by Daewoo from April 1984 and installed in the Maepsy beginning in September, meaning that Kia's 1.3-liter version was retired. Claimed power for the earlier 1.5 was now only {{cvt|60|PS|kW|0}} as South Korea had switched to using DIN ratings,<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Lösch |editor-first1=Annamaria |year=1984 |title=World Cars 1984 |location=Pelham, New York |publisher=L'Editrice dell'Automobile LEA/Herald Books |page=333 |isbn=0-910714-16-9}}</ref> but when the XQ arrived Daewoo once again used SAE gross and claimed {{cvt|85|PS|kW|0}}. Between 1982 and 1989, 400,000 Maepsys and Maepsy-Nas were built.<ref>{{cite web| date=2016-03-21 |title=대우자동차 - 맵시나 XQ LPG 택시 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - Maepsy-Na XQ LPG Taxi catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220660840635&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

Production of the regular sedan ended in July 1986 when the Racer/LeMans was introduced although a version intended for taxi usage continued to be produced until 1989 as the "Daewoo Maepsy Sigma".<ref>{{cite web| date=2016-03-19 |title=대우자동차 - 맵시나 LPG 택시 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - Maepsy-Na LPG Taxi catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220659163913&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref> The Sigma was fitted with an LPG-powered 1.5-litre of Opel origins, as also used in the LeMans. This engine produces {{cvt|82|PS|kW|0}} at 5,500&nbsp;rpm.<ref>{{citation | date=2016-03-16 |title=대우자동차 - 맵시 시그마 택시 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Daewoo Motors - Maepsy Sigma Taxi catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=220656128461&categoryNo=55&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList | via= Naver Blog | publisher = Daewoo Motors | location=South Korea }}</ref>

== Saehan/Daewoo Max == A pickup truck version was also offered initially as the '''Saehan Max''' and later as the '''Daewoo Max''' from August 1979 to May 1988.<ref>{{cite web| date=2013-11-28 |title=맥스가 달릴대 사업의 번영이... |trans-title=When Max runs, business prospers... |url=https://blog.naver.com/maenam111/90185547477 |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref> These have the 1.5-liter four, although Opel's 2-liter diesel engine became available in May 1980. These were exported to Greece as the "Saehan Max 850" (reflecting the max load capacity), but in 1980 the importer went bankrupt in part due to new, more stringent European rules being introduced in Greece.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schaefers |first=Martin |year=1999 |url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/WorldCar70s.html |title=World car of the 70s |publisher=Far East Auto Literature |accessdate=7 August 2009}}</ref> 220 leftover trucks (cabins without beds) were left in a customs area in Athens. After a number of years they were bought by a Norwegian entrepreneur and sold in Norway at rock bottom prices, in spite of much resistance from other local importers.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Oygard |first=Terje |date=1980s |url=http://www.terjes.net/Opel/ |title=Koreanske biler til gi-bort pris? | trans-title = Korean cars at a giveaway price? |journal=BIL |language=Norwegian |pages=34–35}}</ref>

In December 1981 a three-way bed was introduced, and in January 1983 the name was changed to Daewoo Max. The Max used the original Gemini front even as the Maepsy's new bodywork was introduced in 1982, but the 1984 facelift was applied to the Max as well. Beginning in November 1984 the 1.5-liter XQ engine was installed in the Max as well. The Max ended production in 1988 without a successor.<ref>{{cite web| date=2020-02-11 |title=서민의 발이 되어준, 새한-대우 맥스 픽업 1979-1988 Saehan-Daewoo Max Pick-up |trans-title=Saehan-Daewoo Max Pick-up, the foot of the common people, 1979-1988 |url=https://blog.naver.com/shaper5/221805130729 |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{GM Korea}} {{GM Daewoo timeline}}

Maepsy Category:Cars introduced in 1977 Category:1980s cars Category:First car made by manufacturer