Less than five years after it entered the U.S. market, South Korean automaker Daewoo could be

history here, according to a USA Today story by Earle Eldridge.

General Motors, which is expected to buy parts of bankrupt Daewoo for $400 million, reportedly won't include Daewoo Motor America in a deal that could be announced as early as next week. GM officials refuse to say if Daewoo's U.S. arm will be part of the deal.

South Korean newspapers have reported that GM will take over 10 of Daewoo's 24 overseas operations -- but not the U.S. unit. If so, that would leave 170,000 Daewoo owners wondering

where to get their cars serviced and whether their factory-backed warranties are useless.

And about 525 Daewoo dealers, some who have spent more than $1 million buying and building stores, face losing their investments and trying

to sell their remaining cars, which few people will want to buy. About 6,000 Daewoo dealership employees and about 160 employees of Daewoo Motor America could be jobless.

GM officials say confidentiality agreements prevent them from commenting about the Daewoo deal. Their advice: "If you are a current

Daewoo owner, you need to talk to Daewoo," said GM spokesman Jerry Dubrowski.

In a letter dated April 9 to GM Chairman Jack Smith and President Richard Wagoner, American Independent Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) President Walter Huizenga called on General Motors to "continue the Daewoo product in the United States as a separate brand offered under a separate franchise and sold and serviced through the existing dealer body."

"I believe this scenario is best for the American consumer, the Daewoo dealer and ultimately, General Motors," Huizenga said.

AIADA said it has been in continuous contact with Daewoo dealers in the United States regarding the current situation, as well as the leadership at Daewoo Motor America. Additional contacts have been made within the Korean government, including the Office of the President and the Ministry of Finance and

Economy, on behalf of the U.S. dealer body, according to AIADA.