GM Europe Sale

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Opel for Oz announcement soon

Holden poised to announce the arrival of GM parent’s German Opel line for Australia

1 October 2010

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS in PARIS

GENERAL MOTORS’ German offshoot Opel expects to have its entire portfolio of vehicles on sale in Australia by as early as late 2011.

Speaking to GoAuto at this month’s Paris Motor Show, Opel CEO Nick Reilly revealed his company is poised to announce its intentions in Australia before the end of this year.

“I am optimistic that we will re-enter the Australian market,” Mr Reilly said.

“We are still putting some finer details to it because we want to do it right, because we want to be there for the long term, and we have got to finalise distribution and which products (will come) etcetera.



“But the intention will be a complete product portfolio.

“I hope we will get a decision – certainly an announcement this year in detail. And then it will take a little bit of time to make sure we have got the homologation right – maybe by the end of next year.

“It will take about a year.”

As GoAuto reported exclusively almost a month ago, Holden is investigating offering Opel as an upmarket alternative to high-flying Volkswagen through its Australian distribution network.

However, while Mr Reilly would not elaborate on Holden’s involvement with Opel, it is expected that the dormant GM Premium Brands strategy within Holden that oversaw the distribution of the now-discontinued Hummer as well as the GM-era Saab marques is being revamped to accommodate Opel in Australia instead.

He also said that there was no conflict with the two brands selling closely related models side-by-side.

“(Compared to Holden) Opel is a completely different brand. I don’t know what the distribution channels are yet but they would be separate businesses – and the same business may not have the same franchises.

“Everybody knows that (with Opel and other GM brands like Holden and Chevrolet in Europe) we come from similar stables but that we are different, but that the technology is the same.

“And we’re not just releasing these cars for the first generation: we’re going to have several generation editions of the extended-range vehicles in different body styles, so Opel will go its way and Chevrolet (or Holden) will go its way. It’s more about which brand people prefer for a particular car.”

Every model is under consideration too, Mr Reilly revealed, led by the famous Astra nameplate that Holden was forced to drop when it swapped Opel’s five-year old AH Astra for the JG Cruze sedan built in South Korea by GM Daewoo in May 2009. Ironically the Cruze and all-new Opel Astra are closely related underneath, but differ in almost every key area.

Opel’s Corsa light car (sold here from 1994 to 2001 and 2001 to 2005 as the SB and XC Barina respectively), the highly praised Insignia midsizer, the promising new Meriva Mk2 mini people mover, a sub-B light car to take on the Fiat 500 in Opel’s portfolio, and even the Chevrolet Volt-based Opel Ampera electric range-extender model are all in the running as well. The latter is almost identical to the Holden version due in 2012.

“We will consider everything,” Mr Reilly said. We are doing some market studies … for sure, we are looking across the whole Opel range.”

Asked if Opel sees an opportunity to win over the satisfied owners of Opel-made Barina, Astra and Vectra models who do not like or want their GM Daewoo-made replacements, Mr Reilly’s reply was cautious.

“I don’t think we are going to take much product from the Holden stable. But clearly there are premium buyers who are interested in premium brands who are already buying other brands.”

He also suggested that Australian motorists were familiar with Opel since hundreds of thousands of vehicles made by the company were sold in Australia by Holden.

“Opel is well known in Australia. It’s a German brand. It’s got German heritage and German engineering, and people value that, and we’ve got some great looking cars.

“So we’re not there to compete with Holden, we’re there to compete with other imports.

“Obviously we still have to build the brand up (though), but there is recognition there. The market suggests there is, and a lot of people are keen to sell it.”

Mr Reilly admitted that Volkswagen was the pricing target for Opel in Australia.

“That’s what we are working on now,” he said.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/06/g...to-find-buyer/

GM Belgium factory shutting down after failure to find buyer

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Oct 6th 2010 at 8:28AM

General Motors is shutting the doors on its Antwerp, Belgium manufacturing facility after failing to find a buyer for the plant. According to Automotive News, companies from both the United States and China expressed interest in the factory, but GM says that neither could come up with a sustainable business strategy that would keep the doors open and workers employed. The plant currently provides work for around 1,300 people who were warned earlier this year that the facility could be closed by the end of 2010. Now that possibility has become a reality.

The Antwerp plant builds the current Opel Astra, though with the company losing market share hand over fist, GM has been looking to shutter the facility for some time. Interestingly enough, AN says that this is the first closing of a European automotive manufacturing facility since 2006. GM says that while it continues to wind down operations at the plant throughout the remainder of this year, it will still be open to hearing proposals from companies looking to invest in the site.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: Filip Claus/AFP/Getty]

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First look: Holden eyes upgraded Opel Corsa

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577E60016943B

Facelifted Corsa emerges as Holden continues to assess Opel brand launch in Oz
25 November 2010
By MARTON PETTENDY
THIS is the car that will open the Opel range in Australia as early as next year should GM Holden decide to launch the premium European brand here.

Revealed in Germany this week, the facelifted Opel Corsa would be positioned between next year’s redesigned Holden Barina sedan and hatch and Holden’s locally built Cruze sedan and hatch as a direct rival for Volkswagen’s award-winning Polo in the premium light-car class.

Holden continues to study the viability of introducing the Opel brand in Australia as part of a new global push by the German-based GM brand, but says no decision has yet been made and therefore what models may or may not come also remains uncertain.

However, Opel CEO Nick Reilly told GoAuto at the Paris motor show in October he was “optimistic” the brand would be established with a full line-up of models in Australia as early as late 2011, and GoAuto understands an announcement could be made within two weeks.

The light-sized Corsa hatchback has been the smallest model from GM’s Opel operations - and its UK sister brand Vauxhall - since 1982. Previous-generation SB (1994-2001) and XC (2001-2005) versions were sold here as the Holden Barina until the German-built XC was replaced by the Korean-built Barina based on Daewoo’s Kalos in December 2005.

The current generation Opel Corsa D was launched in Europe in 2006 and is assembled in both three and five-door body styles in Eisenach in Germany, Zaragoza in Spain, Miaoli in China and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

Based on a new version of the Gamma platform co-developed by GM and Fiat, which also forms the basis of the Fiat Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo, Opel’s front-drive B-segment contender is available in Europe with engines ranging from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder to 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol fours and 1.3 and 1.7-litre diesel fours.

While the current Corsa measures 3999mm long, 1737mm wide, 1488mm high and rides on a 2511mm wheelbase, its successor will be based on the same Gamma II platform that underpins the next Barina (known overseas as the Chevrolet Aveo), which debuted at the Paris show and will do battle here with Toyota’s next-generation Yaris – also due for local release next September.

As we’ve reported, the Gamma II architecture will also form the basis of an all-new compact crossover to sit below the Captiva, which is expected to emerge at the Detroit show in January and could go on sale here by 2012.

The headline act of the facelifted Corsa range is the fitment of idle-stop technology as standard in the 1.3 CDTI turbo-diesel, creating a new Corsa ‘ecoFLEX’ variant that increases power output from 55 to 70kW while reducing CO2 emissions from 98 to 94g/km.

While that’s just 5g/km more than Toyota’s standard-setting Prius hybrid, the most frugal Corsa sets a new fuel-efficiency benchmark of just 3.5L/100km in three-door guise. The five-door Corsa 1.3 CDTI returns 3.6L/100km and emits 95g/km, while also delivering 190Nm of torque from 1750rpm.

The 141kW OPC version continues to top the Corsa range and also receives a new grille and headlights, bringing it in line with the rest of Opel’s model range.

That includes the all-new Astra small-car and mid-size Insignia sedan, hatch and wagon, as well as the GT roadster, the Meriva and Zafira people-movers and the Combo, Vivaro and Movano commercial vans. The Combo is the only Opel model still sold as a Holden in Australia.

Other changes under the skin of the facelifted Corsa, which goes on sale in Europe in January, include a revised chassis and new ‘Touch & Connect’ multimedia infotainment system comprising seven 4x20-Watt speakers, a five-inch colour touch-screen, satellite-navigation Bluetooth, iPod and USB connectivity.

Inside, buyers can choose between charcoal, Tabasco Orange or Steel Blue colour schemes, while exterior paint colours will now include Guacamole off-white, Grasshopper green and Henna red. A new ‘Linea’ option pack features two large stripes stretching across the length of the body with matching coloured 17-inch wheels and exterior mirrors.

Opel says the Corsa continues to come with unique features in its class, including a heated steering wheel and the FlexFix bicycle carrier. Other available equipment includes halogen Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), Hill Start Assist and a Panorama sunroof.

Accounting for 27 per cent of its overall sales, the Corsa is Opel’s top-selling model in Europe, where it averaged more than 400,000 annual sales over the past three years.

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Man is Holden's marketing good.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...222-1b37u.html

Holden warns Opel: don't copy VW service costs
Stephen Ottley
February 22, 2011

German brand warned not to mine buyers' wallets when it comes to car servicing.

Opel has been warned to keep its servicing costs in check if the brand is to launch successfully in Australia.

The German brand is set to launch in 2012, sitting above Holden as a "premium" brand designed to take on fellow Europeans Volkswagen and Peugeot.

But Volkswagen has been criticised by some owners for its high costs of vehicle servicing. Last year the brand came under fire after halving the service interval for a timing belt change on the popular Golf - a job costing owners more than $800.
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A leading Holden executive working on Opel's introduction to Australia said the brand's German officials have been informed of the potential problems if servicing costs are too high. But the local executive indicated the final decision rests in the hands of Opel, not Holden.

Opel is set to launch by the middle of 2012, and a team at Holden's Port Melbourne headquarters has begun putting together a dealer network and selecting which models will lead the brand assault.

The return of the Astra small hatch is sure to earn some brand recognition, while Opel has also confirmed its Corsa city car and Insignia mid-sized luxury sedan for the brand's launch.

Engine and transmission options are being finalised now, but with Volkswagen the obvious target, diesel and petrol options are expected for each model. Pricing is expected to sit close to the Golf, Polo and Passat.

The high-performance OPC (Opel Performance Centre) models of each car are likely to follow shortly after the initial launch to compete against VW's performance models such as the Polo GTI, Golf GTI and Golf R.

Beyond the initial three models the Corsa-based Meriva crossover and Zafira people mover are the most likely further additions. Holden has ruled out bringing in the Chevrolet Volt-based Ampera electric vehicle, with the focus instead on the Holden-badged version that will be called the Volt.

Holden managing director Mike Devereux also revealed Opel's introduction to Australia will do nothing to help Cadillac's chances Down Under. The American luxury brand remains on ice after its stillborn launch in 2009.

"To be brutally honest with you, I haven't discussed Cadillac in the 11 months I've been here. I don't have a medium-term plan for it. I haven't had any meetings where we've discussed investing in a luxury marque in Australia to this point," Devereux said.

[Bucknaked]

. Cut and paste king working OT on this one

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/14/g...ents-about-op/

GM takes issue with VW chairman Winterkorn's statements about Opel

By Zach Bowman
Jul 14th 2011 6:02PM

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has apparently ruffled some feathers at General Motors. The American automaker took the time to release a scornful statement about the VW executive's comments toward the beleaguered Eureopean brand, Opel. Apparently, Winterkorn took the time to comment on what he believes the brand faces in the near future while speaking with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, fuelling speculation that Opel is in dire straits and that a sale may be on the horizon. GM shot back by saying that VW is simply nervous about the launch of the Ampera in Europe, and that the automaker is simply trying to sabotage the Opel recovery.

Them's fightin' words.

GM says that due to the strong positive response that the Ampera has garnered so far, the company is now planning to crank out an additional Ampera models to satiate demand. Additionally, the statement makes it clear that Opel is an important part of the GM flock and that the brand isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Hit the jump to check out the official statement for yourself.

PRESS RELEASE

GM Statement in Response to VW Comments on Opel

2011-07-13

The following statement may be attributed to General Motors Co., in response to comments by Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn regarding Opel.

DETROIT – General Motors has a longstanding policy of not commenting on rumors and speculation. Unfortunately, some of our competitors do not show similar restraint.

In Wednesday's edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn commented on rumors regarding Opel, which continues a regrettable pattern of fanning speculation as Opel makes solid progress in its restructuring, in generating improved operating results and more.
In this case, it was timed to the incredibly positive media reaction to the groundbreaking Opel Ampera extended-range electric vehicle, which has been hailed as "a stroke of genius," "the start of a new era," and as a leading industry expert said, places Opel three years ahead of VW.

Because of such enthusiastic reviews and strong customer demand, Opel is ordering an additional 2,000 Amperas for the European market next year.

Opel has been part of the GM family since 1928 and remains important to the company. GM is pleased with Opel's solid progress over the last year in turning around its business, and the company continues to invest in outstanding products for the European market, as the Ampera shows.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/w...opel-sale-two/

Wikileaks docs show GM in scrap with Kremlin over Opel sale two years ago
By Zach Bowman
Jul 25th 2011 3:58PM

As it turns out, General Motors may have nixed the sale of its Opel and Vauxhall brands in 2009 due to the fact that the proposed buyers added 31 amendments to the deal after it was signed. The news comes courtesy of reports that cite U.S. diplomatic cables obtained by Wikileaks.

Some of those demands included the right to sell some of the automakers' two factories to a carmaker owned by the Russian state. That would give the foreign automaker access to Opel technology and patents.

Originally, Magna, a Canadian parts manufacturer, and the Russian bank Sberbank agreed to purchase a 55-percent stake in Opel from the German government in a Memorandum Of Understanding. According to The Daily Mail, After the deal was inked, Magna and Sberbank continued to pile on amendments to the MOU, and GM felt that the German government didn't fully understand exactly what the buyers wanted. As a result, the American automaker pulled the plug in 2009.

News Source: The Daily Mail

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http://www.theage.com.au/business/wo...728-1i0vh.html

GM denies rumors of Opel spin-off
July 28, 2011 - 8:06AM

General Motors has no plans to sell off its German subsidiary Opel, the head of the US automaker said, squelching media reports that a spin-off is looming.

"We don't comment on speculation," GM chairman and chief executive Dan Akerson said.

"Opel is not for sale," he added, speaking at a brief news conference at a GM assembly plant in Detroit after officially opening discussions on a new labor contract with the United Auto Workers union.
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Akerson also said GM, the United States's largest automobile manufacturer, would report its sixth consecutive quarterly profit next week.

The new GM that emerged from government-sponsored bankruptcy reorganisation in 2009 is "not only successful but wildly successful," he said.

Rumors have been circulating in the German press for several weeks that GM might be willing to sell Opel if a buyer could be found.

Chinese companies and even Volkswagen, which is sitting on more than 19.5 million euros ($25.4 million) in cash, have been mentioned as possible buyers.

In 2009, GM agreed to sell Opel to a consortium led by Canadian auto-parts manufacturer Magna before changing its mind and saying it would seek to turn the brand around.

Opel is at the heart of GM's European operations, which have lost more than $14.5 billion over the past decade despite efforts at restructuring.

In addition, Opel's management team has been at odds with the company's top management in Detroit over the decision to turn Chevrolet into a "global" brand similar to Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford, GM executives have said.

The Chevrolet decision has limited Opel's access to fast-growing markets such as China and Brazil where the Opel brand has a foothold.

Tim Lee, GM's top executive in Asia-Pacific, has called Opel a "marginal" brand in Europe.

AFP