GM Launches Expanded Korean Design Center

General Motors Co. has completed a $40 million project that doubled the size of its product design center in Incheon, South Korea.

The expansion gives the facility, which currently employs 200 people, more capability to do advanced design work for small cars and makes it GM's third-largest design studio after the U.S. and Brazil. GM operates seven such facilities around the world.

The revamped center gains considerable studio and modeling space, a new outdoor viewing area with three vehicle turntables and capacity to do interior and exterior modeling.

The expansion comes as GM's four assembly plants in Korea prepare to trim annual production in the wake of GM's decision to withdraw its Chevrolet brand from Europe in 2015. GM Korea makes about 40% of Chevy's small cars worldwide and has supplied most of the brand's vehicles in Europe.