Despite the fact the Espero also featured couple of drawbacks as outdated interior design backing to the 80's, mediocre fuel economy and its body fairly prone to corrosion it still maintained popularity among price-conscious drivers.
In all European markets, there were option stickers at the back of the window in white writing ('ABS' for example).
United Kingdom
When Daewoo arrived in the UK at the beginning of 1995, Daewoo was aiming the Espero to the Cavalier and Mondeo market,[15] plus providing good promotions and offers in the package. This included a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty (this could be extended to a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty for an extra £350), a six-year anti-corrosion warranty, 3 years free servicing, maintenance and AA membership (which looked after breakdowns or accidents). Every replacement of parts were free, except for tyres. If the car broke down, needed servicing or was in an accident, they would bring a courtesy car. Once the vehicle was fixed, they gave the vehicle back and collected the courtesy car (this was in the AA membership). Plus, there was free delivery number plates, one-year free road tax and a full tank of petrol. There was also a free 'N' plate replacement for a free upgrade for the first 1,000 customers who bought a new Daewoo; it would then be replaced in August 1995.[16] Daewoo also provided fixed prices (no haggling) and they claimed this was the best way of selling a car.
From 23 December 1996, another promotion was added, three years' free insurance.[17]
Pricing
These were the listed prices in the UK:
GLXi: £10,695
CDi: £11,995
CDXi: £12,250
With all the options selected, Daewoo claimed these prices were up to 40% less than its competitors.[18]
However, on 29 March 1996, Daewoo announced these prices were risen to the following (although the price of the 1.8 CDi remained the same) from 1 April 1996:[19]
GLXi: £11,495
CDi: £11,995
CDXi: £12,995
Then, on 10 October 1996, Daewoo announced that the day after, they will extend the range of all their models with and without air-conditioning, so with the Espero GLXi, these were the following prices (* = without air-conditioning):[20]
Pricing
These were the listed prices in the UK:
GLXi: £10,695
CDi: £11,995
CDXi: £12,250
With all the options selected, Daewoo claimed these prices were up to 40% less than its competitors.[18]
However, on 29 March 1996, Daewoo announced these prices were risen to the following (although the price of the 1.8 CDi remained the same) from 1 April 1996:[19]
GLXi: £11,495
CDi: £11,995
CDXi: £12,995
Then, on 10 October 1996, Daewoo announced that the day after, they will extend the range of all their models with and without air-conditioning, so with the Espero GLXi, these were the following prices (* = without air-conditioning):[20]
GLXi*: £10,995
Range, reviews and production halt
In the UK, the range consisted of three trim levels. The base model was the GLXi that had a 1.5 DOHC engine, GLXi emblems at the body wings and (some) boot, hubcaps, electric windows, ABS, power steering, drivers airbag, sunroof and radio/cassette. Air-conditioning was a free option (before, air-conditioning was an £880 option)[22] so was automatic transmission from May 1996 onwards. Then, there was the CDi model which got a 1.8-litre SOHC engine for a step up, CDi emblems at the body wings and (some) '1.8 CDi' emblem at the boot though air-conditioning was standard. Alloy wheels were optional for the CDi model. Finally, there was the CDXi which had a 2.0-litre SOHC engine, CDXi emblems at the body wings, (some) '2.0 CDXi' emblem at the boot lid, alloy wheels and a CD player as well. From May 1996, a six-disc CD autochanger was standard on the 2.0 CDXi.[22][23] All models got the same four-spoke steering wheel.
The Espero was also given an 'AUTOMATIC' badge at the boot lid for those which had an automatic transmission or (sometimes) a 'TWIN CAM 8v' badge on the 1.5 GLXi models. The dealer plates had the writing 'DAEWOO' in a black background with the phone number, a black line going through either side with the number plate ID under the number plate. In the UK, the Espero was not sold with a third brake light, a spoiler with a third brake light nor the three-spoke steering wheel.
Rarity
One of the main reasons the Espero became so rare was because of an ABS control module which was not only difficult to replace but also very expensive when it was faulty. This led to many MOT failures so many owners got rid of their Esperos. Plus, there were many electrical problems (central locking, wiper, radio, light faults). Also, their resale value was very low so it depreciated rapidly as soon as their warranties ran out so these are considered worth little value.[27] Spare parts were also quite difficult to find as they did not sell well in the first place and the fact that because the Korean economy was affected, so Daewoo could not provide much spare parts. In Q4 2023, only 9 Esperos were left roadworthy in the UK out of the 16k on the road in 1999.
Poland
In Poland, there were only two models, GLX and CD. The base model 'GLX' came with a 1.5 litre DOHC engine, a three-spoke steering wheel, electric windows, hubcaps, (some) a third brake light and a 'DOHC 16V' badge at the back (for colour reasons, the badge is black if the car is white and white if the car is in another colour). No airbags were available for the GLX model. The pricier 'CD' model came with a 1.8 SOHC or a 2.0 SOHC engine, a four-spoke steering wheel with (some) a drivers airbag (though some still had a three-spoke one), and (some) air-conditioning.
The Espero was praised however for its durability and long-term reliability, so taxi drivers often used them.
Production started in 1996. Very shortly there was a facelift at the same year (revised door mirrors and indicator fenders). Poland was the last country to produce the Espero; local assembly ended in December 1999 with the last copies arriving in showrooms in early 2000.
When Auto Świat tested the Espero 2.0 CD back in January 1996, they claimed that it was decent to drive, spacious and had an outdated 80's interior design. In their conclusion its far-eastern competitors were doing a better job (Nissan Primera, Mazda 626) and the fact that 'attractive prices and rich furnishings will convince them of the "Korean" - and these are not the worst argument these days.'[28]
Netherlands
In Netherlands, the market started in 1995 and terminated in 1997. There were two trim levels with three engines. The base model was named 'GLX' with a 1.5 DOHC engine and also what Poland got. Then, there was the second model which was named 'CD' and had either a 1.8 SOHC engine or a 2.0 SOHC engine. The 1.8 litre and the 2.0 litre had hubcaps as standard but some got air-conditioning. Automatic transmission, a spoiler and different types of alloy wheels[29][30] were optional on all models.
Promotions were provided, this included a three-month/3,000 km refund period, three-year/50,000 km maintenance warranty, three-year/100,000 km warranty, three-year paint warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.
A facelift was introduced in 1996, including revamped door mirrors and indicator fenders. Limited edition models included the 'Executive' which basically was a sumptuous version of the Espero. The badges were located at the body wings, had alloy wheels, it had automatic transmission and had wooden trims inside for a more executive look. This was actually a package rather than a separate model. There was also the 'Colour Design' model which had special type alloy wheels.[31][32]
Spain
The Espero was marketed as 'Aranos' because the word 'Espero' translated to 'I hope' or 'I wait'. Production started in 1995. There were two trim levels, 'GLX' and 'CDX'. The GLX was the base model which had a 1.5 DOHC engine with all other extras (power windows, power mirrors, hubcaps, (some) 'DOHC 16V' badge). Then there was the CDX which was available with either a 1.8 or a 2.0 SOHC engine. Other equipment included air-conditioning. A spoiler with a third brake light and different type alloy wheels were optional.
A facelift was introduced in 1996, including revamped door mirrors and indicator fenders.
