General Motors (GM) Korea has pledged to inject $3 million (4.43 billion won) to upgrade its products and facilities here, while unveiling plans to launch its Buick brand and roll out three new GMC models in 2026 — a move aimed at quelling unceasing rumors of its possible exit from the local market. It is unusual for the U.S. automaker to announce both a large-scale investment and an expanded product portfolio, which the company says are intended to enhance its mid- to long-term competitiveness here. “GM Korea now serves as a key production hub in GM’s global growth strategy responding to strong global demand for vehicles built in Korea,” GM Korea CEO Hector Villarreal said during the opening ceremony of its newly-built Virtual Engineering Lab in Incheon, where a 2026 business strategy conference was also held. “We will continue to invest in our manufacturing footprint to strengthen competitiveness over the mid- to long-term.” The latest initiative comes at a critical time, with the carmaker mired in persistent rumors of a potential withdrawal from the local market, triggered