[6] Styling was done by I.DE.A Institute in Italy, and other companies involved in the development programme included Ricardo and GM Holden.
Built in Kunsan, South Korea in a factory equipped with sophisticated laser-guided robots, it was developed as a replacement.
Over 90 improvements were made by Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre in the United Kingdom, including an increase in passenger space and a decrease in noise, harshness and vibration (by adding a fourth engine mount and retuning the intake resonators for example).
The exterior was reworked, including the revamped front, a more angular rear and door mirrors creating a more dynamic upright and swept look of the era, a design later seen reflected by the Lexus ES350 and 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante.
International market Nubiras had a choice of a Daewoo "E-Tec" 1.3,"E-Tec" 1.6, or Holden 1.8 or 2.0-litre inline-four gasoline engines: no diesel version was ever offered, although the Worthing Technical Centre installed Renault's F8 1.9-litre engine in a small number of test vehicles, under a development programme known as J151.
The Nubira was replaced in 2004 with the J200 Daewoo Lacetti, under GMDAT management with a new Pininfarina-designed body offered as a sedan, station wagon, and Italdesign hatchback.
It was sold in some European markets as the Chevrolet Nubira and in the United States as the Suzuki Forenza and Reno.
The way it drove, versatility and its good conglomeration of styling in Italy, Engineered in Britain and assembled in South Korea is what the AA liked about it.
Their verdict was that it was a sensibly competent rather than a crowd-drawing performer, it fitted a lot of motoring for the money and the aftersales package was outstanding.
[23] In the Netherlands, there were three trim levels available, SE (base model), SX and CDX with three body types including the hatchback, saloon and estate.
United States Nubira models came equipped only with an Australian built Holden produced DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4 General Motors "D-Tec" gasoline engine paired with either a Daewoo-designed D-20 five-speed manual transaxle or optional GM sourced 4T40E automatic.
CDX models got extra equipment, like air conditioning, cruise control, alarm with keyless entry, alloy wheels and a CD player.