CHEVROLET will race in the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). For the first time in its history Chevrolet, GM's largest global brand, is entering a full factory team in an official FIA world championship.

The announcement comes less than a week after the news that Chevrolet would begin to market a range of cars in the UK/Western Europe built primarily by GM Daewoo Auto and Technology (GM Daewoo) in Korea, a strategy already successfully deployed in North and South America, Asia Pacific, South Africa and, most recently, Central and Eastern Europe.

Three Chevrolet Lacetti four-door saloons (formally known as the Daewoo Nubira in the UK) are being developed, built and entered into the 2005 championship series by the renowned British racing team RML (Ray Mallock Limited).

"We are excited about the launch of GM's first FIA world championship entry with Chevrolet," said Andy Carroll, designated managing director of Chevrolet UK. "A strong motorsport presence, with a car developed in the UK, provides the perfect stage for a strong brand to showcase its core values to a global audience. The FIA World Touring Car Championship provides exactly the platform Chevrolet needs to achieve its goals."