Opel/Vauxhall

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…

Hope it's not a double post... http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evospyshots/2002..._corsa_vxr.html I wonder what will happen if that engine makes it into an Aveo... EDIT: It should be Vauxhall, not Opel. Opel's should be called OPC.

Spied: The Corsa is Down with OPC World Car Fans has gotten shots of Opel's next pocket rocket: the Opel OPC. Like the Astra OPC, this will get more aggressive bodywork and a power premium over standard version. A 1.6L turbocharged engine will push out 200hp. The Corsa OPC is due to be released in January. Read "New Opel Corsa OPC Spy Photos" @ World Car Fans

Enjoy:

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 …

Enjoy:

New Corsavan: World premiere at Brussels Motor Show 30 percent more payload capacity than predecessor model Wide range of engines from 1.0-liter gasoline unit with 60 hp to 1.3 CDTI with 90 hp Rüsselsheim. Following the Corsavan Concept study’s successful premiere at the recent Paris Motor Show, the production version of the compact city van will make its debut early this year at the Brussels Motor Show (January 13 – 21, 2007). Based on the new three-door Corsa, the nippy city delivery van can be ordered now. The newcomer, which combines the comfort and performance of a passenger car with the transport capacity of a van, will be available at dealerships as of April…

Link to article

Here's a new Astra development reported by Auto Express: Link:Auto Express: Astra Roadster Revealed Source: Auto Express

4.12.2006 Motor journalists name Corsa "Top Car 2007" Link to Original Press Release @ GM Europe High commendation for the Corsa: It was named "Top Car 2007" by more than 140 German, Austrian and Swiss motor journalists in the "City" category, ahead of renowned competitors like VW Polo and Mini Cooper. "We are very honored to win this award because the Corsa was elected by car experts. The Corsa didn't just convince the journalists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Earlier it already won the "Car of the Year" award in Denmark and ranked second in the European "Car of the Year" election. Our customers also like the Corsa very much: We received as many as 150,000…

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…

Leftlane News

This leaked image was on the World Car Fans website today. This would make a nice premium compact hatch for either Pontiac or Buick. I didn't really see Buick selling an upscale hatchback, but this design has changed my mind (although Buick would still need a sedan version also). It seems to have a more upscale exterior appearance than the current Astra. Link: Visit My Website Source: World Car Fans

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…

Another ungodly long article so... World Car Fans: New Opel Astra TwinTop In Depth

[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…

All in all they like it, even for the critically harsh British meanies that they are. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/first_drive.p...=745&page=1

From Autowerld.com Translated (poorly) through altavista bablefish. If anyone on the site can speak dutch, feel free to do your own translating. My translation is below each paragraph. Opel concept in Genève Saturday 17 February 2007 In Genève Opel still unknown concept car will present. Teaser have been meanwhile spread by Opel, but what kind of type model it goes continues guess only. We suspect that it concerns here a voorbode of the new Vectra or new Omega. My translation: In Geneva, Opel will unveil a new, unidentified concept car. Meanwhile, Opel has sent out this teaser photo, but one can only guess one what it is. We suspect that it is the replacement for…

Auto Express first revealed the Luton firm's plans for a hi-tech Vectra replacement back in Issue 880, but now company sources have confirmed to us that when it unveils the new model in 2008, it will be called the Insignia. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Carl-Peter Forster, the European president of Vauxhall's parent firm General Motors, stressed: "We will change its name for the new car. "Vectra is too connected to the conservative current design. The new model will be sleek and more like a coupé to look at, but of course it will still be a family car." Vauxhall first used the Insignia name on a concept car seen three years ago. The sporty looking four-door fami…

EU looks into British aid plan for GM's Vauxhall car plant Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Commission said today it had launched an investigation into $17 million in aid given to General Motors Corp. subsidiary Vauxhall by the British government, which was meant to offer training to workers to keep a GM plant near Liverpool viable. EU officials said they were concerned the aid could violate EU state aid rules, adding they had doubts about its legality because the money used would go to training already being carried out by GM. Neelie Kroes, the EU's competition commissioner said that while the EU supports traini…

1976 Mazda Roadpacer Note, the prices on the web site are in AUD not USD. The Mazda RoadPacer, was a 1976 Holden Premier model, assembled by Mazda in Japan, and powered by a Mazda 13B rotary engine. Even when they were new, these things were rare (and most of them were sold to the Japanese government), but with Japan's strict vehicle testing regime, the availability of a 30 year old Japanese-market-only vehicle in Japan is nothing short of amazing. Although Mazda and Ford had a financial tie, back in the mid 70's GM was doing rotary engine research, and had bought some technology from Mazda. As part (possibly full) payment for the technology transfer, GM arranged for a…

Opel, the German subsidiary of hard-hit US auto maker General Motors, is back in the black, after putting into place a savings program that will eventually cost the company 9,000 jobs. In a report based on internal group forecasts, German business newspaper Handelsblatt said Opel looks set to break even this year. Adam Opel, which comprises solely the German activities, was fractionally in the red, but the Opel brand itself, which includes factories outside Germany, is beginning to make money. Plant closings in North America Meanwhile, GM's European arm, GM Europe, is set to have more than halved its full-year losses this year to $300 million (256…

Spy shots of the new Astra (rendering shown previously obviously way off), including video: http://www.autobild.de/artikel/erlkoenig-o...tra_708115.html Photo gallery only: http://www.autobild.de/mmg/mm_bildergalerie_708165.html

News Opel expanding performance lineup, hopes added models will boost brand image JASON STEIN | Automotive News Posted Date: 11/24/05 PALERMO, Italy -- To boost the image of its lineup, General Motors is expanding its range of Opel Performance Center vehicles. GM will extend its OPC high-performance package to include nearly all of its Opel models within the next two years. "On the product front, we want people to take Opel seriously as a dynamic brand, and we think we can convey that in more of our products," said Mark Adams, General Motors Europe's director of exterior design, during the press introduction of the Astra, Zafira and Vectra OPC vehicles. …

By Bryan Nesbitt Executive Director GM Europe Design American motorists may be interested in a zippy Opel concept we unveiled this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Opel Antara GTC is Opel’s interpretation of the crossover segment. It's tough, athletic, and emotional. This car is a perfect example of how Opel (badged Vauxhall in the U.K.) is exploring its design language as it applies to different segments. First, from a distance, notice the coupe upper and the SUV lower. This proportion is intended to visually communicate driving adventure. Second, Antara GTC -- which stands for Gran Turismo Crossover -- is immediately recognizable as an Opel due to c…

New Opel Meriva World premiere in Bologna Text & Photos courtesy of General Motors Corporation 11-08-2005 New Design, New Engines and Enhanced Technology New: 1.3 CDTI high-tech diesel (75 hp) and 1.6 TWINPORT gasoline engine (105 hp) Premiere in segment: Halogen cornering and curve light (AFL) Meriva OPC with 180 hp 1.6 turbo expands Opel’s sport model range The Opel Meriva goes into 2006 with new design and new engines, plus an extended range of technological features, including cornering and curve light (AFL – Adaptive Forward Lighting), available for the first time in the minivan class (“small monocabs”). The Meriva, which has sold over 500,0…

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',…

here

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,…

2.0 twin turbo, twin intercooled diesel. How hot is it now?

GM@Geneva 2008 Opel Corsa OPC Corsa OPC: Sports Car Performance from Just 22,560 Euros Top performer: 192 hp, superb driving performance Only 7.9 liters per 100 km Available to order now Rüsselsheim/Geneva. At the world premiere of the 192 hp Corsa OPC at the Geneva Motor Show, Opel announces that the new powerful model is available to order now from 22,560 euros. The compact three-door is the sporty variant of the new Corsa, which has sold more than 150,000 units across Europe in the last few months, and is at Opel dealerships in March. The Corsa OPC’s standard equipment includes body-contoured seats in motor sport design, air conditioning and CD-radio. “With …

Here are some Opel Vectra pics that I had laying around! I actually like that orange/red paint.

What's the performance car badge to watch out for in 2007? That'll be VXR8. While Vauxhall is yet to officially announce the name of its new V8-powered sports model, Auto Express has learned that the firm's replacement for the Monaro coupé will be called the VXR8. The new model will be a modified version of the Australian Holden Commodore SS V saloon. The VXR8 will produce around 400bhp in entry-level form, with tuned variants offering even more power. On sale in the summer, the four-door is expected to cost from around £35,000. Original article: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpr...a_vauxhall.html

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…

Is the current head of GM Europe, Carl-Peter Forster, leaving? click here

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 …

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…

GM @ FRANKFURT Opel Flextreme Concept - Image Gallery Opel Flextreme - Press Release