Daewoo Royale

The Daewoo Royale is a series of mid-size cars that was produced by Daewoo in South Korea from 1983, being replaced by the Daewoo Prince in 1991, although production of the top-line Daewoo Imperial continued until 1993. The Royale's predecessor was launched in 1972 by General Motors Korea (GMK) as the Rekord, becoming the Saehan Rekord in 1976 when Saehan Motors replaced GMK, until production ended in 1978. This car was a version of the German Opel Rekord D.

The second generation Saehan Rekord was a development of the Opel Rekord E. Production began in 1978, along with the Saehan Royale. The Royale was the Rekord E bodyshell with the front grafted on from the Opel Senator A. The Saehan Royale became the Daewoo Royale in 1983, with Saehan Rekord being discontinued and incorporated into the Royale lineup as the Daewoo Royale XQ. In 1989, the flagship Daewoo Imperial was introduced, based on the standard Royale. While Royale production (excepting taxis) ended in 1991, Imperials continued until 1993, being replaced by the Daewoo Arcadia.

First generation (1972–1978)

General Motors Korea (GMK) launched the Rekord in August 1972. The GMK Rekord was based on the German-designed Opel Rekord D. In August 1975, a version of the Rekord, known as the Rekord Royale was launched by GMK. The Royale version was based on the Opel Commodore B, which was essentially the Opel Rekord with a lengthened engine bay. 12,005 Royales were produced between 1975 and 1978. In November 1976, GMK changed its name to Saehan Motors, and as a result, the Rekord and Rekord Royale became the Saehan Rekord and Saehan Rekord Royale.

Second generation (1978–1993)

The second generation Saehan Rekord was based on the Opel Rekord E. It was introduced in 1978 along with the Saehan Royale, which was essentially the Rekord E, featuring the front-end of the larger Senator A.

In January 1983, after Daewoo gained control, Saehan Motors changed its name to Daewoo Motors.