Export samples of Caravan and Royale buses have already been dispatched to several Asian and African countries, which includes Nepal, Bhutan, Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa in the last few months, said company officials. Talks are on with other neighbouring countries in this regard, officials added.

Daewoo introduced the turbo charged 21-seater light buses earlier this year as part of an effort to broadbase its product base in India. Royale and Caravan were specifically tailored for the Indian market, officials said. Daewoo Motors does not sell 21-seater models in Korea.

However, following lukewarm response in the Indian market, the company has undertaken a feasibility study to re-assess the marketpotential for such light commercial vehicles, officials said. ``The demand for 21-seater buses has been sluggish and the market size too has not been very encouraging,'' an official added.

As per the latest available figures by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Daewoo Motors has drawn a blank in the first two months of this quarter.

The market for light commericial vehicles (including exports), which is dominated by Telco, the industry recorded a modest increase in sales in the April-May period. The segment clocked sales of 7,515 units in this period as compared to 7,111 units in 1998, a growth of 5.3 per cent.

Officials said that the company was not satified with the quality of body building in India and may consider, following the feasibility study, tying up with several body-building companies. The company is presently offering training to personnel of the body-building company, officials said. Officials said that Daewoo will continue to concentrate on passenger car segment in thedomestic market and target the commercial vehicles for the export market.

Export will be a major thrust area for Daewoo India, officials said. The company intends to export about 70,000 units each of engines and gear boxes and about 20,000 body parts during 1999-2000. Daewoo expects to come out of the red in the current fiscal with a projected gross turnover of Rs 1,500 crore.

The company has recently bagged a global order for 10,000 cars, officials added.