''We are developing a totally new model on Matiz platform having more powerful engine than the Matiz one. The new model would also have extra safety features, low emission levels and more comfort,'' director (car production planning team), Sung Kyun Hong of DMC, told this correspondent in Korea.

Hong said the project was at an early stage and it would take about 20 months from now to complete the assignment. The company is developing a fuel-efficient and more powerful engine for the new model, he said.

Matiz is currently being produced in four countries namely India, Korea, Romania and Poland. Daewoo plants located in Uzbekistan and Iran are also planning to produce Matiz by September, Sang Do Lee, director (planning & coordination) of Daewoo Public Motors, the plant whichproduces small cars in Korea, said.

Matiz has a 796cc, 52 horse power (HP) and three cylinder engine with multi-point-fuel-injection (MPFI) system to meet the Euro-ii emission standards.

Besides S-100, The company would also launch a totally new mid-size car in Korea by the end of the calender year 1999.

The new model is being developed on the platform of its existing car model ''Leganza'', Hong said. The company plans to produce two lakhs units of the new mid-size car every year mainly to cater initially to the needs of Korean and american markets, he said.

During the first year of the commercial operation after launching the vehicle, Daewoo would export 30,000 to 40,000 units to the US, he said.Daewoo is also developing its first multi-utility vehicle (MUV) based on the platform of another mid-size car 'Nubira'.

The new MUV would be launched in February 2000 and would be bigger than Nubira in size and available in two versions, five-seater and seven-seater models, he said.

The company hasplanned to produce two lakh MUVs every year for Korean, European and American markets.

It has also targeted to export one lakh units to the US every year, he said.Daewoo Motors India Ltd (DMIL), subsidiary of DMC, is also planning to launch a luxury car model in India and looking at Nubira and Leganza models as probable models, DMIL sources said.

DMIL is stepping up production of Matiz to meet the growing demand in the domestic as well as global market.

The Indian subsidiary is planning to double Matiz production to 5,000 units per month by September, DMIL sources said. The Korean plant is also increasing Matiz production by producing much above the installed capacity level to meet the demand.