Editing So Shi-Tei

The '''So Shi-Tei''' is a budget compact [[Korea|Korean]] car manufactured by [[So Motors]], a subsidiary of [[So International]]. The first So Shi-Tei was manufactured on April 1, 1983. In North America, the Shi-Tei is known as the '''So Car'''.
==History==
In 1979, So Manufacturing wanted to expand into making automobiles. Having no such experience, they sent out an ad in the local newspaper to find a designer. Meanwhile in 1981, they created So Motors. Finally in 1982, the winner was chosen. The So Shi-Tei was the brain child of Korean Won Tai-Lee.
==First Generation==
The first generation Shi-Tei was produced between 1983 and 1991. The first generation was designed by Won Tai-Lee. The car was originally a two door hatchback. The car was powered by a 56 horsepower inline four known later as the Si4. In 1988 the [[Si4]] gained [[three|three horsepower]] making a total of 59 horsepower. However this version was plagued with various problems and became known as the Si4v2, or more commonly the [[Si4#Si4v2|SV2]].

==Second Generation==
By 1989, sales of the Shi-Tei were falling quickly. So blamed this on the design of the car being too old. So Motors began redesigning their car. The second generation Shi-Tei was produced between 1991 and 1994. However, this did not help sales of the Shi-Tei and they were falling again in 1992. In late 1993, So brought in the option of the original Si4 and a redesigned [[Si4#Si4v2|Si4v2]]. However, production ended in [[January]] 1994.

==Third Generation==
In 1998, So Manufacturing International became under new management. In 2000, So Motors decided to bring back the Shi-Tei and decided to do it as quick as possible. Again, they went back and placed an ad in the newspaper. The winner this time was a European named Paul James. 

The third generation Shi-Tei was produced between 2002 and 2006. The engine was a redesigned [[Si4]] with 68 horsepower known as the [[Si4#SIF|SIF]]. In 2004, So Motors decided to test new features such as power windows and airbags. However, they could not get them to work correctly and the idea was scrapped.

==Fourth Generation== 
The fourth generation Shi-Tei was produced between 2007 and present. The Shi-Tei continued to use the [[Si4#SIF|SIF]]. In 2008, So Motors brought in the option of a redesigned SIF with 60 horsepower for better fuel economy. This version was known as the [[Si4#SIF-G|SIF-G]]. In 2009, it is rumored that the Shi-Tei will come pre-installed with airbags, however nothing has been confirmed.
===GTR===
In 2007, a Shi-Tei GTR was released for slightly more money. The car features a rear spoiler, different rims, and more power. The GTR was only available in GTR [[Blue]] and GTR [[Red]]. The GTR model was discontinued at the end of 2008.
===STE===
In 2009, So will unveil a electric version of their Shi-Tei. The current name of the car is the So STE. Very little is known about the car.

==Partnership==
In 1985, [[Toyota]] was showing interest in a partnership with So. However, by 1988 the Shi-Tei was selling badly and no deal was made.

A partnership was announced in 2001 with [[General Motors]] and Am-Kor Automotive. The deal would see the Shi-Tei produced and sold in North America. However, the deal fell through and General Motors bought Daewoo, also a Korean car company and formed [[Chevrolet|GM Daewoo]]. Rumors say that the car would wave been called the [[Pontiac]] Pacific.

Am-Kor Limited is pushing the Shi-Tei to be sold in North America and hopes to have it on sale by 2010.

==Defects==
Being so cheaply produced, the So Shi-Tei has been reviled to have several design flaws. 

* Electrical Problems - Areas Affected: 1983 - 1987. The result would end with the car stalling and not starting again.
* Windshield Wipers - Areas Affected: 1985 - 1987 and 1989 - 1991. When reaching a certain speed, the wipers would apparently fly off.
* Fires - Areas Affected: All years. For some reason, all models seem to catch fire without warning.

==Pictures==
First generation:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/3rd-Toyota-Corolla-coupe-2.jpg/120px-3rd-Toyota-Corolla-coupe-2.jpg Second Generation:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/2nd-Toyota-Tercel-EZ-3door.jpg/200px-2nd-Toyota-Tercel-EZ-3door.jpg

Third Generation:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/CarCheryQQ.jpg/250px-CarCheryQQ.jpg Fourth Generation: http://www.babez.de/chevrolet/matiz/picth01.jpg

==See Also==
* [[Chevrolet]]
[[Category: transportation]] [[Category: Fiction]] [[Category: So International]]