Any reason why the US version was built in South Korea by Daiwoo of all companies? The Europeans were smart enough to have their version built competenty. I think the European version won Motor Trend car of the year and other awards a for a few years. The Pontiac version wasdefinately not the same as the Opel.
I suspect the design was licensed (from Opel, ie GM Germany) to Daewoo for sale in that part of the world, with considerable reworking (read cheapening) for that market, and GM decided it would be a great idea to bring it in as a cheap, fuel-efficient car to add to their lineup here. Selling a crapheap like that, with the LeMans name on it of all things, is a prime example of how GM earned its reputation with people like me. Even by late 80s/early 90s GM standards, though, it was truly craptacular.