Autoblog

REPORT: Opel/Vauxhall CEO plans five-year product offensive

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST

Interim Opel CEO Nick Reilly has been overseeing the German firm for all of six weeks. And over that scant month and a half, he's conjured the way forward for Opel and Vauxhall and seems determined to leave nothing undone. Chatting with Auto Motor und Sport, Reilly intends to give Opel a little SUV on the Corsa platform, an Opel version of the Mini, a continuation of the Agila and an all-new electric car.

Opel would also be greater master of its own fate: Opel's tie with Suzuki will continue even with VW's recent move, but other Opels like the next Corsa would be developed in Germany. Such a vision, along with his already avowed hybrid push, would keep Opel exceedingly busy over the next five years. If his plans are achieved, it could put them in a very good spot come 2013. But there's a long way to go before all of that happens -- in the short-term GM first has to sort out the funds to keep the company running properly at all.

[Source: Autocar | Image: Thomas Lohnes/Getty]

REPORT: Opel/Vauxhall CEO plans five-year product offensive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Vauxhall team creates mathematical formula for perfect parking

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Technology, Vauxhall, UK

Parallel parking isn't difficult, but we have generally found ways to make it so. Between cars that almost kinda park for you to those with video game displays that turn parking into a Microsoft Flight Simulator landing attempt to the automated cars that park themselves (a frickin' robot! To park!), getting a car into a space couldn't be more complex.

It is a university scientist and engineers at Vauxhall, though, that have proposed the most difficult parking solution we've encountered so far: a not-exactly-short equation. To make it work you'll need to know your car's turning radius, wheelbase, the distance from the center of your car's front wheel to the car's front bumper, and the width of the parked car you're trying to fit behind or in front of.

Drop those numbers into their proper places, let the slide rule dance, use the result to take a few pulls at the wheel, and voila! All you need to do now is leave your insurance information on the cars you just plowed into. If anyone can get this to work, successfully, please let us know. But we though everybody knew the answer to parking is "42." It's the question that's the hard part... Cap tip to Eralp

[Source: Daily Telegraph | Image credit: AtomicNebula via CC2.0]

REPORT: Vauxhall team creates mathematical formula for perfect parking originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Executive VP Nick Reilly named interim CEO at Opel/Vauxhall

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Opel, Vauxhall

It's been one heck of a week for Opel. After months of negotiations between Magna and its partners on the one hand and General Motors on the other, the American parent company opted to hold on to its European subsidiary. In the wake of the decision, Opel's chief executive Carl-Peter Forster jumped ship, leaving the company's future hanging in the balance as he looked to move on to greener pastures.

The General, eager to capitalize on its decision, has wasted no time in getting its European assets back online, and has already announced the appointment of an interim CEO to steer the company until a suitable full-time replacement can be found. But contrary to reports that suggested Bob Lutz could get the job, GM has named Nick Reilly to the post.

As executive VP of General Motors and president of its international operations, Reilly is no stranger to Opel and its British counterpart Vauxhall. The English-born exec has held a number of posts for GM in Europe, and presently operates out of Shanghai. While taking the reins at Opel/Vauxhall, Reilly will continue to oversee the auto giant's vast global operations, but will rely on his legion of regional managers to take more direct control. Follow the jump for the full press release, including Reilly's bio.

[Source: GM | Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading GM Executive VP Nick Reilly named interim CEO at Opel/Vauxhall

GM Executive VP Nick Reilly named interim CEO at Opel/Vauxhall originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lutz to step in as interim Opel chairman

Chris Shunk — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Opel, Vauxhall

Just hours before General Motors announced that it wasn't going to sell Opel, GM Europe head Carl-Peter Forster said publicly that Opel would be better off under the control of Magna. Talk about bad timing. Now that GM is keeping Opel, Forster is out as the head of the General's European operations. A couple of familiar names will step in, at least on an interim basis.

Bloomberg reports that GM Vice Chairman and head of Marketing and Communications Bob Lutz is taking over as interim chairman of the Opel supervisory board until a permanent leader can be chosen. The bombastic Lutz has suddenly found himself with increasing responsibility after semi-retiring back in April. Fellow GM exec Nick Reilly will lead the Opel and Vauxhall units until a replacement can be found.

GM CEO Fritz Henderson said in a statement that the hunt is on for a new Opel CEO and that no other management moves were imminent. Henderson went on to say that Opel improved under Forster, which is a real compliment when you consider that Forster replaced Fritz as head of GM Europe back in 2004. Word on the street is that GM could pick a German executive for the Opel post, due mostly to the fact that Germany wasn't very happy about GM's decision to scuttle the sale to Magna. Magna's plan called for fewer layoffs within Germany and more in other European countries.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Lutz to step in as interim Opel chairman originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: GM board recommends coughing up 55% Opel stake to Magna, Sberbank

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials, Opel, Vauxhall

Finally, after what seems like an eternity of protracted negotiations, bickering and stalling tactics, General Motors has agreed to sell a majority stake in its European operations to Magna International and its Russian financial partner Sberbank. Under the terms of the deal, 55% of Opel and Vauxhall will be owned by Magna/Sberbank; The General will hold on to a 35% stake and employees of the two companies will hold the final 10 percent.

Naturally, the European automakers will continue to offer the recently redesigned Astra and Insignia, and future technologies - such as the extended-range electric powertrain that will be used in the upcoming Ampera - will be shared between the U.S. and European companies.

According to Automotive News, there are still strings attached to the deal and the German government doesn't expect anything to be completely finalized until after the next set of elections scheduled to take place in Germany on September 27, so the saga is likely to continue. Click past the break for the official statement from GM.

[Sources: General Motors; Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading BREAKING: GM board recommends coughing up 55% Opel stake to Magna, Sberbank

BREAKING: GM board recommends coughing up 55% Opel stake to Magna, Sberbank originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel fate still up in the air as Russian involvement reportedly complicates Magna offer

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials, Opel, Vauxhall

Over on General Motors' Europe "Driving Conversations" blog, VP John Smith has posted an update on the company's negotiations to sell a majority stake in Opel and Vauxhall. Although no final decision has been made yet, it's looking increasingly likely that the previous tentative agreement with Magna International may be usurped by a bid from RHJ International. This, despite the fact that the German government has been favoring the Magna bid because of the suppliers commitment to preserving jobs at German factories.

However, most of the money for the Magna bid is coming from the Russian government and Russian bank Sberbank. The involvement of multiple parties from different countries is making things difficult because of concerns with transferring intellectual property. GM's move to a global development process over the past decade means that Opel shares in much of the technology for hybrids, fuel cells and electric vehicles that the automaker has developed. For obvious competitive reasons, GM wants to retain control of much of that institutional knowledge, and the Belgian holding company seems to be much more amenable to that idea. Smith promises more updates in the coming weeks.

[Source: General Motors]

Opel fate still up in the air as Russian involvement reportedly complicates Magna offer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Top Gear flogs the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and HSV Maloo

Alex Nunez — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Truck, Videos, GM, Holden, Vauxhall, Australia, UK, Specialty

Top Gear gets busy with some Aussie muscle -- Follow the jump to watch

Let's just say that Richard Hammond rightfully digs the blown, delightfully obscene Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst (above, bottom), which costs a not-insignificant £45,000 in Blighty. For that not-insignificant sum, he says, "you get almost limitless vulgarity." Trust us, he's paying it a compliment, based on the s**t-eating grin he wears throughout his stint behind the wheel. Then he drives the HSV Maloo R8 (above, top) - Holden's factory-tuned super-ute, which really is one of the coolest cars we'll never get here. As you'll see, it doesn't haul hay bales particularly well, but it can suck the windshield out of a new Audi S4. Finally, the Stig uses his right foot like a cattle prod with both cars in some split-screen action. It's all good.

After watching this clip, you'll probably want to send some thoughtfully-worded feedback to GM's "Tell Fritz" web thingamajig. You all know Fritz. He's that guy who spiked the return of the Holdens to the U.S. because he doesn't believe in rebadging. Yeah, we're beating a dead horse. We don't care. Watch the video and you won't either. Thanks to Bradley Wint for the heads-up.

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S

Gallery: HSV Maloo R8

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear flogs the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and HSV Maloo

VIDEO: Top Gear flogs the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst and HSV Maloo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Vauxhall trying to bring back roller skating? Groovy.

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Vauxhall, Lifestyle, UK, Event Alert

Vauxhall skate party -- Click above to watch video

Vauxhall is rolling out the retro cool by holding an invitation-only roller skating event in North London on July 29. As part of the festivities, the General Motors division has reportedly commissioned bespoke sets of Vauxhall Corsa roller boots (seriously), and the event will even feature a "pit-stop themed hair salone with free styling from a 'huge name' in celebrity hairdressing." The secret party doesn't look to have a name, but it's got the kind of vibe that doesn't need one: "'70s disco meets Knight Rider on roller skates." If only the Knight Rider show had thought of that, perhaps it would still be on the air.

You can check out the details at www.tiny.cc/vauxhallskate, and you can get into the groove with video of a young lady doing her thing wearing Vauxhall Corsa skates after the jump. Hat tip to Clarence.

[Source: Event magazine]

Continue reading VIDEO: Vauxhall trying to bring back roller skating? Groovy.

VIDEO: Vauxhall trying to bring back roller skating? Groovy. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing Automotive bids for Opel; Magna still expected to close deal

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: China, Europe, GM, Opel, Vauxhall

Even though Beijing Automotive (BAIC) tendered a non-binding offer for Opel, the company is said to have no chance of actually acquiring the brand. General Motors is still in talks with Magna and its partners, GAZ and Sberbank, and according to Sberbank CEO German Graf, "The choice has been made and the question now is of how to structure the deal."

Observers also feel that the GM-Magna agreement is merely waiting on some dotted I's, crossed T's and that the deal won't fall apart unless Magna blows it up or walks away. That hasn't stopped GM and the German government from creating the appearance of courting other bidders for Opel and Vauxhall, including BAIC and Belgium's RHJ.

BAIC appears to be serious, even if everyone assumes that GM's just using it as a decoy. Magna wants to get the paperwork inked by July 15, and that's around the same time that BAIC wants to make a binding offer for Opel's purchase. It's working with Deutsche Bank and PriceWaterhouse Coopers on its proposal, and we can only assume BAIC will be ready with a bag full of cash in the unlikely event Magna exits stage left.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Beijing Automotive bids for Opel; Magna still expected to close deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Vauxhall Astra droptop to get more rakish

Chris Paukert — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Opel, Vauxhall, UK, Rendered Speculation

If you're like us, you can't help but smile at the breathless optimism and certainty that the folks at Auto Express have for not-yet-released models. The latest car to catch their rendering artist's eye is the forthcoming Vauxhall Astra droptop.

According to AE, the new convertible Roadster variant will forgo the rear seats of the current TwinTop and instead adopt a more rakish two-seat design. The folding metal roof will reportedly integrate a pair of rollover fairings in its tonneau cover, and tighter overhangs with more aggressive ground effects.

Interestingly, AE claims that the Astra Roadster will not get a VXR performance variant, but it will receive the hot hatch's 2.0-liter turbo engine, reportedly good for 270 bhp and a 0-60 mph time in six seconds. Lesser engines will apparently include a 1.4-liter turbo giving 150 bhp and a 170 bhp 2.0-liter CDTI diesel.

Due to General Motors selling off Vauxhall and its twin brand Opel to Magna, the likelihood of seeing such a model Stateside would appear to be even slimmer than normal. Either way, the U.K. publication says the world will have to wait a while for the topless Astra, as the automaker will first roll out the five-door, followed by the three-door and wagon models and later an MPV. Only after the rest of the lineup is revealed will Vauxhall break out the suntan lotion.

[Source AutoExpress]

Rendered Speculation: Vauxhall Astra droptop to get more rakish originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Opel to cut prices 40% in order to save jobs?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Opel, Vauxhall, UAW/Unions

Sometimes deals get made, and then the dealmakers have to employ some pretty creative tactics to get the terms to work. Magna's deal for Opel included taking €1.5 billion in short term loans from the German government, the string attached being that Magna had to guarantee German jobs.

Saving jobs means selling more cars to maintain production levels, and outside observers are suggesting that Opel would need to cut prices by 40% to move enough metal to keep people on the lines. Of course, a 40% drop in prices makes profit almost impossible, and some are saying Magna doesn't care about profits right now. One analyst said Magna and GM might want to increase costs, since Magna would sell more parts and GM would get more royalties. That, however, seem like the wilder side of speculation.

Magna has said the 40% discount hypothesis is absurd. Magna's mandate was to save German jobs -- that doesn't mean other Opel or Vauxhall factories in other countries can't be shuttered. Such a discount would also bring competing automakers into the debate; they would need to fight battles both on the dealer lot and with their government lobbyists, who would question Opel's right to sell cheap cars with government assistance.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Opel to cut prices 40% in order to save jobs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Next-Gen Opel Astra takes on Ford Focus and new VW Golf

Chris Shunk — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Volkswagen, Vauxhall

Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2010 Opel Astra has an impressive exterior and an overhauled interior, but it's also important that the upcoming C-segment hatchback can hang with the competition. The guys and gals at Vauxhall wanted to show just how competent a handler the Astra is, so they brought a pre-production tester to the Millbrook Proving Ground test track in Bedfordshire, England.

Hit the jump to watch the next Astra take on the twists and turns at Millbrook, and while you're at it, make sure to keep an eye on the MKVI Golf and the Euro Focus. You'll have to really pay attention here, though, because the Astra passes them without much of a fight. Sure, that may have something to do with the fact that the Astra is piloted by Vauxhall's own BTCC pilot, Fabrizio Giovanardi. For all we know, the Golf and Focus could be driven by students from the local driver's ed academy.

Gallery: 2010 Opel Astra

Continue reading VIDEO: Next-Gen Opel Astra takes on Ford Focus and new VW Golf

VIDEO: Next-Gen Opel Astra takes on Ford Focus and new VW Golf originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall, UK

2010 Opel Astra - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Although we're still a few months away from seeing the 2010 Opel Astra in the flesh at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the automaker has released a bevy of interior images of its new compact hatch following the reveal of the fully redesigned exterior.

The new interior takes a huge stride beyond the current model's drab yet functional environment, with upgraded materials and a completely reworked center stack housing controls for the sat-nav, HVAC and infotainment systems. It's mildly mobile phone-like and you wouldn't be alone seeing shades of the new Ford Fiesta in the Astra's center console.

Additionally, there's a redesigned glovebox with removable compartments for pens and coins, an optional compartment under the passenger seat and ambient lighting piped into the door handle surrounds, gear lever recess and center stack.

Based on the new Delta platform that underpins the Chevrolet Cruze, the new Astra will be available abroad later this year, packing a host of gasoline and diesel powerplants with outputs ranging from 100 to 180 hp. Make the jump for the release, along with a groovetastic video of the Astra's new insides.

Gallery: 2010 Opel Astra

Continue reading Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior

Opel pulls the wraps off the 2010 Astra's interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tongue-Waggin' Wagon: Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer unveiled

Alex Nunez — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, GM, Opel, Vauxhall

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer

No more spy shots. GM has formally unveiled the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer (a.k.a. the Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer on the other side of the Chunnel). By now, you're probably seen the specs, but we'll go over them again for the sake of being complete. 325 horses are corralled in the 2.8-liter turbo V6 underhood. Yep, that's a six-speed stick you see in the attached photo gallery, and both all-wheel drive and eLSD are standard. Stopping power is supplied by Brembo, the seats are by Recaro, and the overall appearance is liberally sprinkled with awesome. All told, the whole package is good for a zero-to-60 run in six seconds flat, which has us dreaming of this car, in this color, wearing the Buick Tri-Shield up front. Maybe Grand National badges on the fenders, too. Okay, it's more like a pipe dream, but let us have our fun. The PR joins an official video after the jump.

Gallery: Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer

Continue reading Tongue-Waggin' Wagon: Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer unveiled

Tongue-Waggin' Wagon: Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel does a fan-dance with 2010 Astra teasers

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall

2010 Opel Astra teasers - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With the Frankfurt Auto Show looming on the horizon, German automakers in particular have been preparing their latest offerings for their debuts. And even with its future still hanging in the balance, General Motors' Opel division has just released a series of teasers of its upcoming new Astra to be unveiled at the Frankfurt show in September.

Although based on the platform that will underpin the Chevrolet Volt, the Opel Astra (and the Vauxhall-badged version to follow) will be powered by conventional engines...at least at first. A downsized 1.4-liter turbo is expected to form the standard engine, with a 2.0-liter turbo version wearing Opel's OPC badge (and Vauxhall's VXR) to follow.

The new Astra will reportedly be available in several bodystyles, starting with this five-door hatch. A four-door sedan is expected to follow, along with a five-door wagon and two-door hardtop convertible, while the three-door hatch version carrying the GTC label promises to follow the lead of the Renault Megane with a more coupe-like profile previewed by the Opel GTC concept from Geneva 2007.

Of course, with the GM global empire on the verge of disintegration, it's hard to say at this point where the Astra might end up. We'll have to wait for more over the course of the summer, but in the meantime, feast your eyes on the teasers in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Opel Astra teasers

[Source: Opel via CarScoop]

Opel does a fan-dance with 2010 Astra teasers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall going after city car market with Trixx EV?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, GM, Opel, Vauxhall

Way back in 2004, GM's European arm put a toe in the water of the rapidly expanding city-car market with its Opel Trixx concept. A few years later, GM's Carl-Peter Forster indicated that the automaker would not be entering that microcar market after all. Fast forward another couple of years and (surprise!) it looks as if GM may be once again reversing its stance.

According to Auto Express, Vauxhall is now planning a small urban vehicle to do battle with the smart fortwo, Toyota iQ and the upcoming Volkswagen Up!. If these rumors are to be believed, the Trixx will be based on GM's Voltec drivetrain but will completely eschew the range-extended 1.4-liter engine in favor of going fully electric with a goal of hitting a 90-mile range between charges.

You might think that dropping the internal combustion engine would make the car considerably cheaper, but that may not actually be the case. AE indicates that the lithium ion battery pack powering the Trixx could cost as much as £8,000 ($12,100 in U.S. dollars) per unit to make. To counteract the high cost of entry, Vauxhall may sell the actual car while offering a separate lease for the battery.

[Source: Auto Express]

Vauxhall going after city car market with Trixx EV? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 May 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat considering new company to combine Chrysler and GM Europe

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:44:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, GM, Opel, Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo, Fiat

Apparently, Fiat's alliance with Chrysler is only the beginning. According to a variety of reports coming out of the UK and Germany, the Italian automaker's expansion plans aren't limited to its 20% stake in Chrysler - Fiat is also considering acquiring General Motors' European operations, including Opel, Vauxhall and even Saab.

The result could be a new company that spins off Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo, along with Chrysler and GM Europe, into one corporate entity worth around $106 billion and rivaling Volkswagen to become the world's second largest automaker behind Toyota.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne said of the union, "From an engineering and industrial point of view, this is a marriage made in heaven" and with the full support of the automaker's board, Marchionne hopes to have the deal completed in May, with shares of the new company - tentatively dubbed Fiat/Opel - available by the end of the summer.

Marchionne believes that the alliance would make Fiat a stronger entity in the global marketplace during the economic downturn and through merging Fiat and Opel's B- and C-segment platforms, along with absorbing Opel's larger D-platform and Fiat's sub-compact A-segment offerings, could save around 1 billion euros each year.

Of course, Fiat and Marchionne have a long road ahead. German trade unions are opposed to the deal, citing concerns about job losses and factory closures, and according to the German magazine WirtschaftWoche, Fiat's initial offer of $1.33 billion to acquire GM's European operations was considered too small by the General.

Marchionne is scheduled to present Fiat's plan to an assortment of German leaders later today and expect more to follow over the coming weeks.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto]

Fiat considering new company to combine Chrysler and GM Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden

Noah Joseph — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:09:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, South Korea, Daewoo

Chevrolet Aveo, a.k.a Chevrolet Kalos/Daewoo Gentra/Holden Barina/Pontiac Wave - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Eyebrows raised at reports that General Motors could hold on to its British subsidiary Vauxhall even if - or, more likely, when - its German counterpart Opel would leave the family. With the model ranges of the two European GM divisions intertwined, a Vauxhall without Opel would seem like an empty shell. New reports suggest, however, that instead of re-plastering Opels with the griffin badge, the British marque could instead continue operations under GM ownership by importing products made by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.

The restructuring of Vauxhall would also likely call for greater cooperation with GM Daewoo's neighbor to the south, Holden, which otherwise stands to lose significant revenues from the disintegration of GM's global operations, with Vauxhall and Pontiac having accounted for nearly half the production of its VE Commodore, sold in the UK as the Vauxhall VXR8 and in the United States as the Pontiac G8. Holden, for its part, also recently replaced many of its Opel-based products with rebadged GM Daewoo models. In the likely absence of Opel, the General's assets in England, Australia and Korea would likely end up cooperating more closely. However with Daewoos already on the European market as Chevrolets, the realignment could effectively be the end of the bowtie in Europe.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo 5-door (EU)

[Source: Autocar]

Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 May 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto threesome? Fiat CEO confirms pursuing partnership with Opel

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Opel, Vauxhall, Fiat, UAW/Unions

As if Fiat doesn't have enough on its plate while working on an alliance with Chrysler during its bankruptcy proceedings, the Italian automaker's CEO has finally confirmed that it's pursuing an alliance with General Motors' German arm Opel.

In the Fiat-owned newspaper La Stampa, CEO Sergio Marchionne said, "Now we have to concentrate on Opel. They are our perfect partner."

Coupled with the Chrysler alliance, if the deal with Opel would go through, that would make Fiat the world's number-two automaker behind Toyota. However, both Italian and German labor leaders are opposed to the venture, fearing sizable cutbacks to both Opel and Fiat's workforce.

In GM's recently revised restructuring plan, the General's generals laid out a plan to spin-off the Opel and Vauxhall divisions into a separate unit, which would require another investor for GM to secure financial aid from the German government. Currently, GM claims to have six investors interested in Opel, and along with Fiat, Canada's Magna is also in the offing.

[Source: Autoweek | Image Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty]

Auto threesome? Fiat CEO confirms pursuing partnership with Opel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Part and Parcel: GM could sell all of Opel, keep Vauxhall?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Opel, Vauxhall

Emerging reports concerning the future of General Motors' European assets casts some new light on the role which the American automaker could take with Opel and Vauxhall. The ownership and investment in Adam Opel GmbH has been a topic of much discussion recently, with General Motors seeking local government support, considering letting Opel go independent, the involvement of outside investors, and possibly the sale of the entire operation to another automaker, with Fiat and contract manufacturer Magna International touted as possible buyers. The General's new CEO, Fritz Henderson, has stated that while the company could sell Opel and divest from the company entirely, it's also possible that, given Opel's integration into GM's global operations, Detroit could hold on to majority interest in the German subsidiary while taking on additional minority stockholders.

The future of Vauxhall is emerging, however, as another question entirely. Previous reports placed the British subsidiary - the bulk of whose line-up are produced by Opel - in the same package as its German counterpart. And while Vauxhall could go to the same buyer as Opel, GM could apparently keep the British label under its own wing, citing the UK as one of its largest markets in Europe.

[Sources: The Detroit News and Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

Part and Parcel: GM could sell all of Opel, keep Vauxhall? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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