Opel/Vauxhall
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https://www.motor1.com/news/624059/2023-opel-astra-electric-debut/amp/ Stellantis' EV onslaught continues in Europe where the Opel Astra will be offered for the first time in its 32-year run without a combustion engine. Mechanically related to the Peugeot E-308 unveiled in September, the electric compact car will also come in hatchback and wagon body styles akin to its French cousin. Being based on a platform developed for ICE-powered cars, the EVs look nearly the same as their gasoline and diesel counterparts.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Opel is undergoing a major product overhaul as it begins to transition over from General Motors architectures to PSA Group. Some products will not make the change, however. Yesterday, Opel announced that the Adam city car, Cascada convertible, and the KARL city car will end production at the end of 2019. The company blames new emission rules for the canceling of these models, but some suspect the low-margin on these vehicles is what ultimately led to their demise. "In order to contribute to the CO2 compliance and to focus on high volume segments, the Opel ADAM, KARL and Cascada will not be replaced after the end of their life cycles, but will remain on sale until …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Opel has unveiled their first concept car since coming under the ownership of PSA Group. Called the GT X Experimental, the concept gives us an idea of what direction Opel/Vauxhall's styling will take. The compact crossover shares an obvious similarity to a previous Opel concept, the GT Coupe in terms of overall shape and the colorful line running the length of the roof. A key trait to the concept's design is the "Vizor" up front. Resembling the visor on a motorcycle helmet, the area houses the headlights, running lights, and the various hardware needed for the driver assistance features. A large windshield extends all the way to the second-row to provide an open-a…
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Ever since PSA Group took ownership of Opel and Vauxhall back in spring, many were wondering what the French automaker had in store. Today at a press conference at Opel's headquarters, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller unveiled the turnaround called PACE. Here is a summary of PACE, Return Opel and Vauxhall to profit by 2020 Lowering costs on each car built by €700 (about $813) Committed to keeping Vauxhall as a brand for Great Britain Entering 20 new markets by 2022, with Brazil and China topping the list Accelerating the transition from General Motors to PSA Group platforms (originally was planned to finish by 2027, now plan to finish by 2024). …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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On Thursday, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller will be presenting a new restructuring plan for its future under the PSA Group umbrella. Thanks a report from German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, we have some idea of what this plan entails. According to the paper, Opel will be cutting down on the models it offers and begin to focus on high-margin segments. The brand will also be tasked with developing technology for partial and complete electrification of all PSA Group models. To pull this off, Opel’s Rüsselsheim tech center will become the central point for the development of this tech. Other parts of the plan outlined in Frankfurter Allgemeine's report in…
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Opel has more orders than they can fill for the Opel Ampera E According to the news, Opel has issued an order to all opel dealers to pause on accepting anymore orders for the Ampera E EV auto that is based on the Chevrolet Bolt. To date, Chevrolet has delivered 15,000 bolts and in Europe 1,000 have been delivered in Norway alone with another 5,000 already on order. Opel has also started Ampera E deliveries in Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands. Opel has stated they want to ensure getting the Consumer Reports most reliable auto, the BOLT into as many hands as possible and at this time till they can fulfill the backlog, they are holding off on accepting new orders. T…
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Opel and Vauxhall are currently in the process of working on a new business plan for their new owner, PSA Group. Already, it seems one project has been suspended. Auto Express has learned from sources that plans for a flagship SUV have been shelved for the time being. Possibly named Monza, the model would use the Insignia platform and be around the size of a Ford Edge. It seems PSA Group is putting a freeze on various projects that are related in some form to Opel/Vauxhall's former owner, General Motors. Whether or not the Monza is canned or moved to a platform from PSA Group remains to be seen. One thing is clear, changes are already happening. Source: Auto Ex…
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General Motors and PSA Group completed the sale of Opel/Vauxhall yesterday, effectively ending the era of GM’s European division. “It is a historic day. We are proud to join Groupe PSA and are now opening a new chapter in our history after 88 years with General Motors. We will continue our path of making technology `made in Germany´ available to everyone. The combination of our strengths will enable us to turn Opel and Vauxhall into a profitable and self-funded business. We have set ourselves the clear target of returning to profitability by 2020,” said Opel Automobile GmbH CEO Michael Lohscheller. As part of the sale, PSA Group paid 1.53 billion for the Opel an…
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Today, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann has announced that he will be stepping down as Opel CEO, confirming various reports that came out over the weekend. His replacement is Opel's current chief financial officer, Michael Lohscheller effective immediately. "It was a difficult personal decision to not continue with the Opel/Vauxhall team when it transitions to Groupe PSA. I am proud of the team for all we have accomplished so far and have no doubt that the move to PSA will make Opel/Vauxhall an even stronger and more successful company in the future. I am committed to completing this transaction and will then take some time to decide what is next for me,” Neumann said in a st…
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If General Motors and PSA Group were hoping to have a smooth sale of Opel, they were dashed this week. Both Automobilwoche and German newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung report Opel's work council and German labor union IG Metall have some specific demands for workers at Opel's development center in Rüsselsheim. The two parties want a guarantee that 7,700 workers will keep their jobs at the center and that continue performing work for GM until 2020 - which could account for 30 percent of the development center's output. There are also some disagreements on vehicle development. PSA Group wants the next-generation Corsa subcompact to use one their platforms, while Opel …
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One of the big questions facing the sale of Opel to PSA Group is what will happen in the future. Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann spilled some of the beans in an interview with German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. Neumann will remain the CEO of Opel, but tells the magazine that he will work closely with PSA's CEO Carlos Tavares. "It is important for me to stand before employees and show leadership. I have done this in the past and will continue to do so," said Neumann. "I think we have great respect for each other. That is why I see a good foundation for continued cooperation," the magazine quoted Neumann as saying. Opel will also have its own leadership,…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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It is now official. This morning, PSA Group has agreed to buy Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors for 2.2 billion euros (about $2.3 billion). The deal is comprised of a 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion) payment for Opel and Vauxhall, along with a stake in Opel's financing arm. This makes PSA Group the second-largest automaker in Europe. “It gives us the opportunity to become a real European champion. Our plan is to build a common future for Opel and Vauxhall and fix the existing issues,” said PSA Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares. Those existing issues include Opel and Vauxhall never breaking even for GM. Over the past two decades, Opel and Vauxhall have los…
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Only a few weeks after first learning about the talks between General Motors and PSA Group on the possible purchase of Opel/Vauxhall, Reuters reports that a deal has been reached. This afternoon, two sources told the news service the board of PSA Group approved the deal. An announcement about the purchase is expected on Monday. Also, Opel cut short a town hall meeting today at their headquarters in Ruesselsheim, Germany due to management being unable to discuss details about the potential acquisition. A town hall meeting possibly discussing this will take place on Monday morning. Details about the deal are being kept under wraps, but earlier in the week, sources…
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As Opel and Vauxhall get ready to introduce the all-new Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer for Geneva, a new set of spy shots reveals Opel is working on the next member of the Insignia family, the new Country Tourer. The mule seen in the photos obtained by Motor1 and The Truth About Cars reveal some noticeable changes from the standard Sports Tourer. First off, there are new bumpers and plastic body cladding to give it a more rugged look. It also appears the ride height has been raised, though how much is unknown at this time. All-wheel drive is expected, though there is talk about offering front-wheel drive to provide better fuel economy. As for power, expect so…
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How much is Opel worth? According to Bloomberg, the valuation being discussed by General Motors and PSA Group puts it around $2 billion dollars. According to sources, the total comprises about $1 billion in cash and about $1 billion in liabilities. The amount could change as two are still assessing a number of items such as the value of brand rights and savings potential. The sources also the framework for PSA to buy Opel could be finished by Thursday. This would be the same day when PSA Group reports full-year earnings. The sources go on to caution this could be pushed back because of the complex nature of the deal such us finding ways to reduce costs while keeping …
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As General Motors and PSA Group continue their discussions (and damage control) on the possible sale of Opel/Vauxhall, a secret plan being developed by Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann has been put on the back burner for the time being. German magazine manager magazin reports that Neumann had been working on a plan that would see Opel transition to selling electric vehicles only in an effort to ensure the brand's survival. GM Europe has been losing money for the past 15 years. In 2016, the branch posted a $257 million loss. Neumann was worried that Opel didn't have the resources to develop both combustion engine and electric drivetrains. The plan would see Opel end …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
Yesterday, news broke that General Motors and PSA Group (owner of Peugeot and Citroen) were in discussions on possibly selling Opel and Vauxhall. Already, the possible sale is under intense scrutiny from various European governments and unions. There are concerns about jobs being cut with this deal, and none are too happy that officials from local governments and unions were not included in the talks. There is also the possibility of political backlash coming to Germany and France as both will be holding elections later this year. "It's unclear whether GM will keep an Opel stake, who pays what and if anything will go through at all, given the political backlash," a s…
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PSA Group is in discussions with General Motors on various strategic initiatives, including the possibility of acquiring Opel/Vauxhall. The news was first broke by Bloomberg and Reuters early this morning as sources revealed the two were in talks about swapping the ownership of Opel. Since then, a spokesman for PSA Group confirmed the talks. The maker of Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars is "exploring a number of strategic initiatives with GM with the aim of increasing its profitability and operating efficiency, including a potential acquisition of Opel." The two automakers already share production of SUVs and commercial vans, a key remnant of a possible alliance bet…
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Previous Page Next Page It was a couple of months ago that Opel/Vauxhall/Holden unveiled the brand new Insignia Grand Sport/Commodore to the world. Today, the three automakers revealed the sister model, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon. Basically, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon follows the same the design as the Grand Sport/Commodore albeit with a longer roofline. This allows for an increase in cargo space with 520 liters (about 18.3 cubic feet) on offer behind the rear seats and 1,638 liters (about 57.8 cubic feet) when folded. Like the new Grand Sport/Commodore, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Comm…
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Previous Page Next Page Just a day after a set of spy shots revealed the next-generation Opel and Vauxhall Insignia, Vauxhall has unveiled the 2017 Insignia Grand Sport. Meanwhile, Holden has pulled the wraps of the 2018 Commodore. The Insignia/Commodore borrows a lot of cues from the 2013 Monza concept with a lowered grille, distinct sculpting along the side, and shorter overhangs. This new shape is more aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of 0.26. Even though the new Insignia is the same length as the outgoing model, the new one has a wheelbase that has been stretched 3.6 inches for added legroom. Other measurements to be aware of inclu…
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It has been a long time coming. But we knew sooner or later, we would get our first glimpse at the upcoming Opel/Vauxhall Insignia (also Buick Regal and Holden Commodore) minus the camo. That day has finally arrived as the Insignia sedan and Sport Tourer have been caught uncovered. The front end reminds us a lot of the current Mazda6 - a flat nose with a pentagonal grille and slim headlights. Along the side, there has been some sculpting along the lower part of the doors that add some sharpness. The back end features similar styling to the Buick LaCrosse with a similarly shaped trunklid and taillights that extend into the rear fenders. The Sport Tourer features a mo…
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Usually, we don't report on wagons in our spying reports because there are no chances they are coming to the U.S. But with the recent rumors of the next-generation Buick Regal possibly getting a wagon variant. we tend to pay attention. Which brings us nicely to a set of spy photos of the 2017 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer. Compared to the current Sports Tourer, the new one shown in these pictures looks to be slightly longer and wider. Up front, the nose looks to be more upright and there are new headlights. Opel has attached body panels behind the c-pillar to try and disguise the slope of the roof and window shape. How does this connect to the Buick Rega…
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Previous Page Next Page GM's European division is giving electrics another try. Next month at the Paris Motor Show, Opel and Vauxhall will unveil the Ampera-e. Yes, this is a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Opel is keeping a lot of details close to their chest before Paris. But they did reveal some details about the Ampera-e's powertrain. The electric motor will produce 150 kW/201 horsepower. The top speed is around 150 km/h (about 93 mph). “The Opel Ampera-e makes electromobility fully feasible for everyday use and ready for the future. The Ampera-e demonstrates impressively how well sustainability and driving ple…
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It seems a week can't go by without another automaker being embroiled in either a fuel economy or emission mess. This week, the German Government has requested Opel to provide more information on a piece of software that turns off the emission controls in the Zafira. The issue at hand is whether or not this software violates regulations. "Shut-off devices are fundamentally illegal, unless it is truly necessary to safeguard the engine," said Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's transport minister after a meeting with Opel to discuss this issue. "Therefore it's clear that in this situation, we have our doubts." This meeting comes after a joint investigation between Spi…
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The Vauxhall Astra was the final 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' before the whole Jeremy Clarkson 'fracas' imploded the show. Now you have the chance to own this vehicle. Vauxhall put the vehicle up for sale this week on eBay, describing the model as a 1.5L TechLine hatchback with 115 horsepower. The Astra is fitted with a full roll cage along with two Corbeau Sprint Racing seats and five-point safety harnesses. It should be noted the airbags are disabled due to the rollcage. Mileage is listed at 2,908 miles. But considering how much abuse this Astra was put through, we think it should read 2,908,000 miles. During the Astra's time as the 'Reasonably Priced Car',…
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When information first broke out that Volkswagen was using illegal software to fool emission testing equipment on their diesel vehicles, questions arose of whether or not other automakers are doing the same thing. Belgian news site VRT News alleges that Opel is secretly updating the emission control software in the Zafira 1.6 diesel by saying it's only a software update. This vehicle has been the target of various environmental groups as being one of the dirtiest vehicles. VRT News tested two Zafiras - with and without the update - and found the update cut emissions by more than half in one and by three-quarters in another. In their report, VRT News said deale…
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The next-generation Opel Insignia has been caught for the first time as it ventures out into the real world. We only tell so much from the spy shots since Opel has done a decent job of fitting a fair amount of camouflage to the vehicle. But there is one element we can pull out of the shots. It seems Opel has taken a liking to the Audi A7's styling that they are copying the distinctive roofline for the Insignia. Along with the A7 inspired roofline, Opel is adding around four inches to the overall length to better compete with the Skoda Superb - a Volkswagen Passat sized model. Now this brings up an interesting question for the U.S. market. Buick sells the Insignia …
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Just days after a similar Android Auto and Apple CarPlay announcement from Chevrolet, Opel has announced it will be releasing the two smart phone integration systems across it's small and mid-size car lineup. Starting with the next generation Opel Astra, which will be shown in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the integration will debut on Opel's R 4.0 IntelliLink system while the Touch R 700 and Navi 900 systems gaining the functions later in 2016. The first systems will be available starting in September 2015. Regardless of which system being used, a Projection icon will be available on the Intellilink screen which will change to an Apply CarPlay or Android…
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Earlier this week, we reported on the rumor that the Opel Ampera was to go away once the next-generation Chevrolet Volt was introduced. Well it seems to be true. Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann tweeted that the Ampera is on its way out. But another electric vehicle will take it place in the future. "After the eventual run-out of the current generation Ampera, we'll introduce a successor product in the electric vehicle segment. Our next electric vehicle will be part of our massive product offensive – with 27 new vehicles in the 2014-2018 time frame. We see eMobility as important part of the mobility of tomorrow and we will continue to drive down costs & deliver affordabi…
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While the Chevrolet Volt has been doing ok in sales chart (ranging from 1,478 to 1,777 units since March), the same cannot be said for the Opel Ampera. When it launched in 2012 and took home the European Car Of The Year award, the model sold 5,200 units. But since then, the Ampera has been sinking like a rock. In 2013, dealers only moved 3,184 units, a massive drop of 40 percent. 2014 only looks to be worse as Opel has only sold 332 units through the end of May. Automotive News Europe reports that Opel will drop the Ampera once the next-generation Chevrolet Volt is launched, which is expected to happen in late 2015. An Opel spokesman declined to comment on this story w…
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Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann told reporters at a briefing that he confident the automaker will return to profit by 2016, and become the number two in the European passenger car market by 2022. A bit ambitious to say in the least. How does Opel plan on doing this? Well the automaker has been working on hard on cutting losses by improving the utilisation of plants, increasing sales revenue, closing one of their plants, and cutting costs on product and structural items. "I have a lot of confidence about achieving our interim goal," Neumann said about the profit goal. As for becoming the number two automaker in the European marketplace, Opel plans on launching 27 new models…
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General Motors' troubled brand, Opel announced some major changes this past week. For starters, the company announced that it would be pulling out of China in January of 2015. The German marque said poor sales was the major reason as to the brand's departure. In 2013, Opel only sold 4,365 vehicles through twenty-two dealers. That pales in comparison to Buick which moved 810,000 vehicles through 650 dealers. "This is a long overdue decision. It would have cost hundreds of millions of euros to raise awareness of the Opel brand and to expand the distribution network. Buick, however, is one of the market leaders in China and we plan to intensify our future collaboration, wit…
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Opel and Vauxhall are bringing the heat to the sport compact market with the introduction of the Astra OPC Extreme (or VXR Extreme). The two say this is the fastest Astra ever built and looking at the spec sheet, we have to agree. The Astra OPC/VXR Extreme comes with a 2.0L turbo-four producing 300 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Opel and Vauxhall are keeping performance figures a secret, but expect it to be quicker than the standard Astra OPC/VXR. Compared to the standard Astra OPC/VXR, the Extreme is 220 pounds lighter thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the body. More carbon fiber …
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I drive an Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI for about 4 years now. I bought it in second hand and I suppose I got lucky because the car never gave me a problem. Well, just this one time I broke the rearview mirror from the drivers side and it cost the eyes of my face. Apparently there is a motor inside and some other devices and everything is the price of gold! Other than that I think it's a very economic car and to be honest that is what I enjoy more about it. Anyone has experience with it?
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 21, 2013 Opel pulled the veil back on the Monza concept before its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month and its something different to say in the least. The design is a mashup of coupe and wagon with large gullwing doors and very sleek lines. Opel says the Monza's design will influence future models such as the next-generation Astra and Insignia. Also, the Monza is huge. The overall length is 15.38 feet. Opel has tried its best to disguise this fact by making it seem 'light'. The style "conveys athletic efficiency rather than pure muscle power," Opel says. Under the sleek and 'light' skin, the Mo…
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Interesting footnote in automotive history, but this is priced like it can levitate. Note they show no pics of the interior (you can find them elsewhere on the net), because overall this car has all the physical appeal of a carnival ride. Still, it does command a good degree of mythicality. http://findyourclassiccar.com/2013/06/20/1959-opel-p1-experimental-best-mpg-ever/ http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/1959-opel-p1-experimental-prototype-gas-mileage-record-holder_100315433_m.jpg
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 8, 2013 Alongside the new Insignia Country Tourer, Opel will also be showing off a new concept car at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Opel Monza Concept pays homage to the Monza coupe of the eighties and signals what's in store for the designs of the next-generation models from Opel and Vauxhall. The Monza's design borrows some ideas from luxury brands with a low stance, heavily sculpted hood, and a set of small headlights. In addition to the design, the Monza concept has two major themes; efficiency and connectivity. With efficiency, Opel says the Monza concept “demonstrates outstanding efficiency through its ar…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 3, 2013 Ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Vauxhall has revealed the new Insignia Country Tourer. The Insignia Country Tourer borrows the same recipe used by Subaru and Audi that takes a wagon and raises the ride height, adds an all-wheel drive system, and gives the exterior a more butch appearance. The Insignia Country Tourer starts with a fair amount of body cladding and increased ground clearance of 0.79 inches. Under the skin is a new all-wheel-drive that utilizes a Haldex clutch and an electronic limited slip differential to maintain grip. There are two diesel engines available, 2.0L CDTi: 163…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com April 11, 2013 Yesterday, General Motors announced a $5.2 billion investment for Opel between now and 2016. This is part of a larger effort to nurture Opel back into health. “As a global automotive company, GM needs a strong presence in Europe – both in design and development as in manufacturing and sales. Opel is key to our success and enjoys the full support of its parent company,” said General Motors CEO Dan Akerson in a statement. This investment will will help support new models and help the brand back on track for its 10-year plan, called DRIVE! 2022, which hopes to bring it back into the black. Opel needs all…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 4, 2013 Opel's interim CEO Thomas Sedran made some interesting comments concerning the Insignia replacement. “We will draw on developments from within the parent company for the Insignia replacement. This provides us with the advantage of being able to use technology from GM that is also earmarked for Cadillac,” said Sedran. This has lead Autocar to make the assumption that the Insignia replacement will have a sister car in the form of the next Cadillac XTS, both due out later this decade. While we're not quite sure that the Insignia and XTS will be sister cars, we could easily see the Insignia and XTS shari…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 16, 2013 Back in November, we reported that Opel was considering doing a high-performance OPC version of the new Adam. The Adam OPC was rumored to use a 1.4L turbocharged-four producing 180 HP and have a six-speed manual, and some other tweaks. This past week, Auto Express learned from a source that the rumored Adam OPC/VXR would use the 1.6L turbocharged-four from the Corsa VXR Nurburgring edition producing 202 horsepower. A production model is expected possibly in 2014. Auto Express is also reporting that Opel and Vauxhall are considering doing a Adam cabriolet. Unlike the Fiat 500C which uses a folding fab…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 11, 2013 At the unveiling of the first production model of the new Opel Adam, GM Europe president Steve Girsky and vice CEO Thomas Sedran went into more detail about the company's multibillion-dollar restructuring plan dubbed Drive! 2022. The plan, which was which was approved six weeks ago by GM's board, would take place in three phases. Phase one would see the company “cut the cash flow gap” between expenditure and income Phase two will involve the company launching twenty-three new vehicles, thirteen new engines, and technologies to break even in 2016 Phase three will see the company introduce new comm…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 10, 2012 Opel announced today that it will close the Bochum plant in Germany in 2016 when production of the current Opel Zafira ends. "Despite rigorous efforts, there was no success in changing the situation. The main reasons are the dramatic declines in the European car market and the enormous overcapacity in the entire European auto industry," Opel said in a statement today. The closure is part of a long-term recovery plan called Drive Opel 2022. Under the plan, Opel will work on trying to be more cost efficient, improving the brand's image, strengthen market share, and entering new markets and segments. The …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 19, 2012 Opel has put a halt on plans of doing an electric version of the new Adam, citing sticker shock if it was to go on sale. "It was a business decision. We could not charge the customer the price needed to make it work on the cost side," said Dieter Metz, chief engineer for the Adam. Documents obtained by Automotive News Europe last year showed the company was cancelling it due to "excessively high additional investments.” Automotive News Europe also reports that the Adam EV had reached the prototype stage with an Adam using components from the Chevrolet Spark EV. In other Adam news, Evo magazine is rep…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 9, 2012 Vauxhall has decided to up their Insignia VXR a bit by introducing the Insignia VXR SuperSport. What makes the Insignia VXR SuperSport different from the Insignia VXR it replaces is a lower price (£29,995, about £3,760 less) and a higher top-speed (170 MPH vs. 155 MPH). The Insignia VXR SuperSport uses a 2.8L turbo-six producing 325 HP. That helps it get 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 170 MPH. You can place an order a for a Insignia VXR SuperSport at your nearest VXR dealer now. As for those who wish GM would bring this over a Buick Regal GSX, don't count on it. Source: Vauxhall Will…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 17, 2012 Opel unveiled the new Cascada, a four-seater convertible that will be arriving at dealers early next year. The Cascada has many design cues from the Astra and Insignia with a chrome grille, bulging front hood, sculpted doors, and wing-shaped rear lights. Overall measurements for the Cascada are 184.9 inches long and 72.8 inches wide, which makes it a little bit larger than an Audi A5; one of the vehicles the Cascada is said to compete with. The fabric roof of the Cascada that retracts in 17 seconds and at speeds up to 31 MPH. Powertrains for the Cascada will include two variations of the 1.4L turbo, a …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 10, 2012 Opel has revealed a new 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder that will be part of a new engine family coming out within the next few years. The 1.6L engine uses an aluminum block and spark ignition direct injection (SIDI). Opel says the new engine improves fuel efficiency by 13%. In standard form, the 1.6L Eco Turbo produces 168 HP and 206 lb-ft of torque. In the Performance Turbo model, power is upped to 197 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque. The new 1.6L turbo will be appearing first in the new Cascada cabriolet in 2013, with other models following thereafter. There is no word if this new engine will be coming o…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 10, 2012 Last Thursday, Morgan Stanley released a report saying GM should sell off Opel and settle it losses. The report says GM has lost $10 to $20 billion over the past three years to Opel. If GM keeps the brand, the report says it will cost it up to another $12 billion over the next 10 years. Closing Opel isn't a good option at all says the report due to the enormous costs of winding down manufacturing operations in Europe. The report goes on to say that if GM was to sell Opel, that it would cost between $7 and $13 billion dollars. UBS auto analyst Colin Langan told the Detroit Free Press that if GM was to…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 6, 2012 The General Motors, PSA alliance has hit a wall. According to German news magazine, Der Spiegel, one part of GM-PSA alliance has been taken out. The part dealt with GM sharing the Insignia platform with Citroën and Peugeot to build their next-generation midsize sedans.That would also allow Citroën and Peugeot vehicles to roll off the line at the Rüsselsheim plant, thus allowing the plant to use up all available capacity. Why was this part taken out? Der Spiegel says Buick and GM China complained, stating the deal would cause the vehicles to compete too closely. Managers are also questioning the coopera…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 6, 2012 The General Motors, PSA alliance has hit a wall. According to German news magazine, Der Spiegel, one part of GM-PSA alliance has been taken out. The part dealt with GM sharing the Insignia platform with Citroën and Peugeot to build their next-generation midsize sedans.That would also allow Citroën and Peugeot vehicles to roll off the line at the Rüsselsheim plant, thus allowing the plant to use up all available capacity. Why was this part taken out? Der Spiegel says Buick and GM China complained, stating the deal would cause the vehicles to compete too closely. Managers are also questioning the coopera…
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2.0 twin turbo, twin intercooled diesel. How hot is it now?
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 24, 2012 General Motors will be closing down two Opel plants for a total of four weeks in response to a drop in demand for cars in Europe. A report from Reuters says an agreement between Opel and labor representatives will have two plants, Ruesselsheim and a component plant in Kaiserslautern, to halt production for a total of 20 working days between September and the end of the year. “The European automobile market is declining dramatically. Now, shortened working hours are the correct measure to bridge the weakness of the market,” said Opel's head of personnel, Holger Kimmes. The decision to halt production is …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 11, 2012 Some new spy shots of a refreshed version of the Opel Insignia OPC have been caught. Starting up front, the Insignia OPC appears to get a new bumper, small air intakes, and a new grille. Around back, there are minimal changes. The only thing of note is a set of restyled taillights. Inside, there appears to be a larger screen for infotainment and navigation and a restyled center console. Now, we wondering if the Buick Regal GS will see any of these changes. Both vehicles share many items, except the drivetrain. Source: Autoblog William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached a…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 24, 2012 Cadillac has big ambitions for the European market, readying the ATS, CTS, and SRX to do battle. One car that was planning to stay was the XTS. Now, a new report from German auto news site, Auto-News.de, says the XTS could be the basis for a new Opel flagship. An odd pairing at first, bankruptcy documents from Saab reveal GM was hard at work on a new on a new flagship for Swedish brand named the 9-8, which was expected to use bits of the Cadillac XTS. However, when GM sold Saab and the events following thereafter left the 9-8's design hanging in the balance. Opel has apparently said that's ours with the 9-…
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I am totally smitten by that little hottie, the Opel Adam, after seeing the Opel press photos and two videos showing the car in motion. The Chevrolet Spark is a hideous, cheap little POS compared to this sexy little guy. AND it's a 3-door! tangent/You know, that's what the people voted for when they chose the Beat a few years ago in the GM contest asking people to choose among 3 Chevy minicar concepts. Then GM pulls an old-school "bait and switch" by bringing the 5-door Spark to production./tangent Apparently the Adam is a bit shorter but wider than a MINI Cooper, with up to 99 horsepower out of a choice of three 4 cylinder engines. I love the detailing on this ca…
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Opel/Vauxhall News: Cash-Burning Opel a “Four-Alarm Fire,” Restructuring Deal Could Take 2 to 3 Months
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Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 10th, 2012 General Motors’ European operating firm Opel recently lost $256 million dollars in the first quarter of 2012, and changes are underway to stem the losses. The waves of red ink washing in overseas at Opel are cutting deep into the Detroit automaker’s earnings. While GM posted net earnings of $1 billion dollars for this year’s first quarter, it knows things could’ve been much better if its European outpost were operating profitably. Compared to the first quarter of 2011, GM’s earnings this time around were down by almost 69 percent because of its losses in Europe. This has given GM CEO Dan Akerson especia…
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G. Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 28th, 2012 To say that Opel has been eyeing the success of the Fiat 500 would be something of an understatement. In fact, it’s almost well known that the German automaker has been hard at work on a new model the last few years to compete with the small Italian city car. Now new spy photos have emerged of the upcoming small Opel lapping the Nurburgring as engineers put its sporting prowess to the test. During the course of its development, the new Opel city car has worn a few different names. The first two monikers were “Junior” — borrowed from an old Opel city car concept designed by Chris Bangle dating back to…
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A German police force that spent €25 million on new sporty cars found that not only was the visibility rubbish for chases - the fancy seats were so narrow the cops could not get in while wearing their guns, truncheons and other equipment. The embarrassing mishap came to light in a poll conducted by police union GdP, which showed that many officers in the western German state of Hesse preferred their old wheels – the Opel Zafira. The Hesse Interior Ministry ordered 800 of the swish new models – Opel's Insignia Sports Tourer – in a long-term deal at the end of 2010. The ministry says that 200 of the cars have been delivered so far, but it is yet to be decided whether…
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G. Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 12th, 2012 The Opel Insignia is certainly a well-traveled piece of automotive design. Currently, the German mid-sized sedan is sold in mainland Europe as, obviously, the Opel Insignia, in the UK as the Vauxhall Insignia, and in China and North America as the Buick Regal. For 2013, you can add Australia to the list of countries the Insignia has been to as Opel prepares to introduce the brand to the market there for the first time, but before that takes place, the German automaker plans to give its award-winning sedan a bit of a makeover. Spy photographers snapped these shots of the refreshed Insignia undergoing testin…
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Until about six weeks ago GM Europe's Opel-Vauxhall was making steady progress towards sunlit uplands, with breakeven in 2011 and a nice little profit promised next year. But Europe's sudden economic skid towards crisis has undermined prospects for car sales next year, and suddenly the forecasts are awash with red ink. The alarm bells are ringing and General Motors is parachuting Detroit heavy hitters into Opel headquarters in Germany to take control. Now, experts are saying Opel-Vauxhall (Opel-badged cars sell across mainland Europe; the same cars with Vauxhall logos sell in Britain, its biggest European market) must slash costs again, shut factories and maybe reopen t…
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Spying: Opel Astra OPC William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com November 2, 2011 GM's European division has been hard at work developing their competitor to the Ford Focus ST and Mazdaspeed3 and some new spy shots have come out. The camouflaged Opel Astra GTC in the pictures is the new OPC/VXR model due out sometime next year. Not much has changed since we last saw pictures of this; a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder developing around 300 HP, six speed manual, and GM's HyperStut suspension to help counter understeer are expected. The question now is will the US get a taste of this as a Buick? The speculation is being fueled by Astra …
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Vauxhall Astra VXR Seen Driving Around With Some Camo William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 22, 2011 Ford has had it share of being in the sport compact spotlight with the new Focus ST and Fiesta ST concept being shown at Frankfurt and the Focus RS rumors swirling around. But now it's General Motor's turn to be in the spotlight with some new spy shots of the Vauxhall Astra VXR. Using the Astra GTC as a base, Vauxhall added a new bodykit, large alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Power will come from a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0L engine producing around 300 HP, with power going towards the front wheels. A limited-slip different…
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Opel Making A Comeback In America? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 18, 2011 Opel hasn't had an easy time since GM's bankruptcy. The company has been losing money and sales since GM exited bankruptcy in 2009. Last week, rumors came out about GM possibly selling the company to either the Chinese or a German auto company. This week, there is talk about bringing over an Opel-branded small car to the US. In a interview with German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Opel's labor chief Klaus Franz purposed the idea of selling a small car in America. "In the cities of the East and West coast, I do see demand for this vehicle," said Franz. …
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Opel/Vauxhall Working On A Insignia Crossover William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 15, 2011 Opel and Vauxhall are busy working on a new flagship, but it's not what you're thinking. Opel CEO, Karl-Friedrich Stracke said the company is working on new SUV that will become the brand's flagship. The vehicle will be based on the Epsilon II platform (Same one as the Insignia), come with the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and have seven seats. It will be competing with the upcoming Citroen DS5 Crossover and it's Peugeot platform mate. The crossover is expected to come out sometime in 2015. Source: Auto Express
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GM Says Selling Opel Report Is Speculation William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 9, 2011 General Motors is on the offensive with a report about them possibly selling Opel to another automaker. In a article published by Auto Bild and Spiegel, GM is considering whether to sell Opel due to management losing confidence in Opel returning to profitability. The article also points out that GM can use Daewoo to engineer and source small cars and low emission engines, something Opel has provided GM. So, who are the possible buyers for Opel? The article points to the Chinese automakers and Volkswagen as possible buyers. Volkswagen could do it ea…
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Vauxhall Struts Out The Astra GTC William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 6, 2011 Vaxuhall Astra GTC Gallery Vauxhall has pulled off the covers on their brand new Astra GTC and all we can say is WOW! The car will be going after the Renault Mégane coupé and Volkswagen Scirocco in the European market. The body carries the design of the 2010 GTC Paris concept with its sleek lines and low, wide stance. The only items the Astra GTC shares with the rest of the Astra family is the antenna and door handles. Engine choices will range from a 1.4L petrol with either 118bhp or 138bhp, a 178bhp 1.6L petrol and a 2.0L diesel with 163bhp. The chassi…
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Opel Pulls Back The Camo From The New Zafira Opel Zafira Gallery May 18, 2011 New Opel Zafira Tourer: First Class Transformer • Quantum leap: Flexibility master embraces premium qualities • Exclusive seating concept: Individual wellness grows beyond family functionality • Dynamic look: Athletic silhouette combined with striking front design • Comfort and Safety: Innovative driver assistant systems enhance relaxed drive Rüsselsheim. The Opel Zafira Tourer will make its world premiere at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main, September 15 - 25, 2011. Offering a perfect blend of functionality and wellness, the Zafira Tourer brings Insign…
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Link - http://bit.ly/iMWKcb
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GTC Concept To Spawn A Production Version.. (We Think, Maybe) William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 12, 2011 File this one under the taking a grain of salt folder. Auto Express is reporting the Opel GTC Concept shown in 2007 has been given the green light. According to a leaked document, the name Calibra has been given and will use Epsilon II platform. The 2.8L Turbocharged V6 producing 321 HP and powers the Insignia OPC/VXR is pegged to be the top of the line motor. The coupe will come would be fitted with all-wheel drive and use a shorter wheelbase to give the car more agility. Auto Express says production of Calibra will begin on Oc…
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2012 Opel Astra GTC Officially Rendered Full Reveal coming on June 7th http://www.cheersand...opel-astra-gtc/ Cory Wolfe - CheersandGears.com Today, GM took the wraps off the new 2012 Opel Astra GTC sport hatch through virtual renderings. Slated for a full reveal on June 7th, this gives us an early look at what to expect beyond the concept version shown at the Paris Motor Show previously. If you live across the pond in Europe, you will also be able to place your order the day of the reveal. It's world premiere is still a ways off, when it will bow in Frankfurt, come September. In the mean time, take a look at these rendered photos. A short video was inclu…
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HA, I remember this same "RTS" badge on the dash of my uncle's '74 Grandville coupe: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW4091G5Bxo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW4091G5Bxo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW4091G5Bxo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
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A classic coupe: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj0k2Y1xwzg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj0k2Y1xwzg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj0k2Y1xwzg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
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German automaker Opel announced today it has launched a new design competition and encouraged all entrants to use social media as a tool to develop the designs for future cars. The competition, aimed at both interior and exterior design, will culminate with the announcement of the two winners at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. The first stage of the competition challenges European design students to develop a car interior that is “a lounge in motion”. “What I’m excited about is for students to understand our brand,” stated Liz Wetzel, Director of Interior Design, Opel/Vauxhall, “because it is moving – it’s becoming much more dynamic, much more passionate and our c…
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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEEIzU0UA1M/TAVXw1VvCgI/AAAAAAAASno/zZ661pvJr0s/s1600/001.jpg now i am on board. this is nice. the 3 door and 5 door should be sold here as Buicks with the Opel grille slot. The wagon and sedan should be here sold with the Buick grille. Although I would even say the wagon could get the Opel grille slot too. full line up. many body styles of the same model. make the sedan here. import the other variants from Europe.
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Opel Flextreme GT/E concept adds Volt drivetrain to larger car Think of the Opel Flextreme GT/E concept as a bigger Chevrolet Volt (or Opel Ampera if you're European). The idea behind this concept, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show, is to show how the Volt's extended-range electric vehicle drivetrain can be used in a larger vehicle, in this case a mid-size five-door hatchback. So far, every vehicle shown by General Motors with an ER-EV drivetrain, including the Volt, Ampera and Cadillac Converj concept, has been compact in size. By paying attention to aerodynamics, the Flextreme GT/E still achieves a low 0.22 coefficient of drag despite its bigger dimens…
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Link: http://bit.ly/8YAbo0
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This article appeared in Auto Express at the end of September. I didn't see it posted anywhere on this forum, so I decided to go ahead and initiate a topic with it. Link: Auto Express: Astra's New Family. If this article is accurate, then GM could have used the Astra line to transform and rebuild Pontiac as well as Buick. Pontiac would have received: * Astra 5-door: Pontiac LeMans * Astra roadster: Pontiac Solstice * Astra (Calibra) coupe: Pontiac Fiero Buick would have received: * Astra sedan: Buick Centieme * Astra CUV (4x4): Buick Bravura Basically, Pontiac would get the sportier looking variants while Buick would get the more elegant looking variants. Pontia…
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<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
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<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo0g7jjy9ps&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo0g7jjy9ps&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo0g7jjy9ps&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" h…
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17 November 2009 By MARTON PETTENDY A CHEVROLET version of GM Holden’s ill-fated Commodore-based Pontiac G8 could soon be confirmed for North American showrooms. The move would mark the return of a significant US export program for Holden in the wake of arch-rival Ford's announcement it will vie with the Statesman-based Caprice patrol car for Stateside police car business. Expectations of a Chevrolet iteration of the Australian-made sedan, which was discontinued when GM axed the Pontiac brand earlier this year, have increased after the appearance on a Pontiac G8 web forum of an official GM email that refers to the “MY11.5 Chevy Police Program and MY12 Chevy SS”. US w…
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Shortly after rejoining GM in late 2001, Bob Lutz initiated a program to provide sub-Cadillac rear-drive cars in the United States developed from the Australian Holden brand. Unlike previous GM product chiefs in Detroit, Lutz was impressed with what the Australians had achieved with modest engineering budgets and saw the opportunity to transform the Holden rear-drive platforms into the sporty products he believed Chevy and Pontiac desperately needed. It was a sound concept -- and one successive Holden execs had been pushing on and off since the 1990s and a project called GMX127, a proposal to build a Holden Commodore rear-drive sedan in Australia for Buick that was repor…
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In an overly publicized outburst at a cabinet meeting earlier this month, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused General Motors of "scornful" behavior after the American company canceled a plan to sell off a German car maker to a Russian-Canadian consortium. "The last-minute refusal to complete the Opel deal is not harmful to our interests, but it shows that our American partners have a very original culture when dealing with counterparts," Mr. Putin said. However, there's no need to worry that Mr. Putin's feigned indignation will seriously harm the already chilly U.S.-Russian relations despite the obvious harm it has done to the survival prospects of Russia's ba…
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BERLIN General Motors Co. wants to move its European headquarters to Germany from Switzerland before the end of the year, an Opel spokesman said Saturday. By moving its headquarters from Zurich to Adam Opel GmbH's Ruesselsheim headquarters in Germany, the company wants to strengthen its subsidiary Opel, spokesman Ulrich Weber said. GM's Chevrolet brand will continue to keep its headquarters in Zurich. Last week, GM called off the planned sale of Germany-based Opel to car parts maker Magna and Russian lender Sberbank. German Chancellor Angela Merkel had favored that deal to save jobs. Merkel now says she wants GM to present a restructuring plan that gives Opel Europe …
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This is what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you. Don't be surprised if Opel headquarters are moved to the UK in the future. Vauxhall remained loyal, and may reap the benefits of that. Henderson refuses to talk about future of individual plants November 10, 2009 21:46 CET RUESSELSHEIM (Reuters) -- General Motors Co. crushed hopes on Tuesday that Opel would play a greater role within its vast empire. CEO Fritz Henderson also offered vague assurances that Detroit would give its European carmaker more freedom. Speaking to reporters late on Tuesday, Henderson showed little interest in marketing Opels outside the strict confines of Europe or even elevating t…
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It should be clear now why I went to work for GMIO and not GME when I returned to GM in September 9 November 2009 By TERRY MARTIN GENERAL Motors is now searching for an executive to lead its European operations Opel and Vauxhall – two brands it last week decided not to sell to a consortium led by car parts giant Magna International – after Opel Europe president and GM group vice-president Carl-Peter Forster tendered his resignation. Reports out of the US this week suggest GM’s international operations president Nick Reilly will temporarily replace Mr Forster. Mr Reilly is a former plant director at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in England and one-time preside…
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BERLIN (AFP) – General Motors said Wednesday it wanted to cut around 10,000 jobs at its European division Opel a day after the US car maker stunned the auto sector by scrapping plans to sell the German-based unit. GM wants to slash costs by 30 percent at Opel, which would mean the elimination of about 10,000 jobs from a workforce of 55,000, GM vice president John Smith told European journalists during a telephone news conference. General Motors said Tuesday it was abandoning a project to sell Opel to Canadian auto parts manufacturer Magna International and state-owned Russian bank Sberbank, saying it would implement its own restructuring at the unit. The decision sp…
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You would think he'd shut up, but nooooooooo ... November 4, 2009 20:16 CET UPDATED: Nov. 4 21:43 CET BERLIN (Reuters) -- General Motors Co.'s Europe head Carl-Peter Forster expects massive cuts at Opel after GM decided to hold on to the European carmaker. "We had negotiated a good restructuring plan which was ready and on the table," Forster was quoted as saying in German daily newspaper Bild in an advance copy of an interview to be published on Thursday. "Now there is a danger that the sensible distribution of the burden we had agreed will unravel and the process will start all over again. One thing is certain: even with this solution, there will be massive…
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GM can go it alone with Opel if they have to John Smith, GM Group Vice President, Corporate Planning and Alliances and Enrico Digirolamo, GM Europe Vice President and CFO, gave a news conference call today regarding the GM Board of Directors' decision to not sell Opel. Mr. Smith stated that GM's better financial status puts them in a position to be able to restructure Opel on their own if need be. GM is still going to work with the European governments and Unions on a restructuring plan, but the plan will be very similar to the private investor's plans that were all based on the GM Europe viability plan from earlier this year. The Opel Trust GM feels that Opel is so…
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GM Board Decides to Retain Opel DETROIT – Given an improving business environment for GM over the past few months, and the importance of Opel//Vauxhall to GM’s global strategy, the GM Board of Directors has decided to retain Opel and will initiate a restructuring of its European operations in earnest. “GM will soon present its restructuring plan to Germany and other governments and hopes for its favorable consideration,” said Fritz Henderson, president and CEO. “We understand the complexity and length of this issue has been draining for all involved. However, from the outset, our goal has been to secure the best long term solution for our customers, employee, supp…
Last reply by ZL-1, -
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Is the current head of GM Europe, Carl-Peter Forster, leaving? click here
Last reply by Oracle of Delphi, -
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It has been revealed that over 11,000 jobs are to be cut across Europe, 1,400 of those are in the UK. These cuts are happening after Magna, the Canadian-based spare parts venture, agreed to take over Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors. Magna's restructuring of Opal is yet another sign that Europe's auto industry is flagging in the face of the recession, despite the spate of 'cash incentives' offered to consumers to buy new cars. General Motors had recently agreed to sell a 55 percent stake in its European units to Magna and Russian bank Sberbank, but last week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Magna's co-chief executive, Siegfried Wolf, told reporters as many as 10,500 …
Last reply by Oracle of Delphi, -
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BY MARK PHELAN FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC FRANKFURT, Germany -- If you thought the deal to sell a controlling interest in General Motors' European operations to a Russian-Canadian consortium was done, think again. GM's fate could hinge on the outcome, because its European operations are responsible for developing the compact and midsize vehicles GM needs to survive. However, GM is making contingency plans in case things go sideways and it finds it cannot trust its partners in a shotgun wedding orchestrated by the German government after six months of tense negotiations and political intrigue. It's almost impossible to get anyone to assess the deal's prospects frankly,…
Last reply by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY, -
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Notice the new slogan - Wir leben Autos (We live cars) ... stole that from Pontiac, Pontiac is car ... Link- http://opel.de
Last reply by the_yellow_dart, -
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Source
Last reply by deftonesfan867, -
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[source: Wall Street Journal] RHJ Will Sweeten Bid for GM's European Unit By DANA CIMILLUCA Belgian investment firm RHJ International plans to sweeten its bid for General Motors Co.'s European unit in an effort to overcome German government opposition to its bid. RHJ is developing a revised bid for GM's Opel/Vauxhall operations that would lower the amount of German taxpayer-funded loan guarantees required from €3.8 billion ($5.38 billion) to as little as €3.6 billion, people familiar with the matter said Friday. That would be €900 million below the amount of state aid envisioned in a rival offer from car-parts maker Magn…
Last reply by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY, -
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's economics minister ruled out any attempt by General Motors to include an option to buy back majority control of Opel as part of a deal to give up over 50 percent of its German unit in exchange for state aid. "This is incompatible with our views and cannot happen," Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told German Sunday paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung in an interview. The comments could suggest that Belgian financial investor RHJ International (RHJI.BR) may have problems with its bid if the company is viewed as only a short-term player. Germany is expected to shoulder the bulk of the billions in loan guarantees as part of a deal, an…
Last reply by turbo200, -
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Here's a new Astra development reported by Auto Express: Link:Auto Express: Astra Roadster Revealed Source: Auto Express
Last reply by SAmadei, -
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...2010 Opel Astra!!! (linkypoo)
Last reply by ZL-1, -
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Here's a fresh interview with Carl-Peter Forster, the GM Europe Chief. As someone else says clickity
Last reply by Camino LS6, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
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It didn't make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show, but General Motors' white-hot Vauxhall Insignia VXR is spending more time out of doors and (accidentally?) posing for pictures for the folks at Auto Express. With 320 horsepower and a rumored all-wheel drivetrain at work, the fettled Insignia is said to have lapped the Nürburgring in (grains of salt at the ready) just over eight minutes on its 20-inch wheels. If true, that's the kind of time aimed for by smaller, nimbler cars. Even better: Pretty soon we expect to see pictures of the Insignia VXR hatch and wagon versions, perhaps wearing Opel badges. Mmmm, hot wagons... Yum. Autoblog Gallery
Last reply by loki, -
