GM’s European Opel brand recently unveiled the new Astra GTC hatchback and according to the most recent reports this car will be sold in America, but under the Buick badge. The Buick brand has already had considerable success rebadging the Opel Insignia as the Regal on this side of the Atlantic.

This plan has been tried once before and failed miserably, when GM brought the Astra over as a Saturn. The new car is, however, larger and based on an all new platform is under the Buick brand is expected to offer a more premium interior with an overall improved build quality. The Buick ‘Astra’ (an official name has yet to be picked) will also receive more respectable powerplants, with the 177-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 220-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines likely candidates.

In addition to the hatchback, Buick is also expected to gain a small convertible based on the same platform and which could compete alongside cars like the Volkswagen Eos.

GALLERY: Opel Astra GTC

[Source: Car&Driver]

Word was leaked yesterday about a Buick version of the Chevrolet Volt being developed by GM.

The vehicle would be a more luxurious version of the already fairly upscale Volt, according to a report by Bloomberg.

This would make a fourth nameplate to carry a very similar platform. Already in Germany, Opel is showing its Volt-based Ampera, and in the UK, Vauxhall is preparing an Ampera as well.

The technology GM bases these cars on is called “Voltec,” and its development set GM back around $1 billion. It couples electric motors with a 1.4-liter gasoline-powered generator. A 16 kWh lithium-ion battery provides motive power for the electric drive.

The Volt car can travel in EV mode for about 35-50 miles, and early adopters have been reporting hundreds of miles traveled using little or no gasoline. GM’s CEO Dan Akerson has said it would develop other cars on four GM brands.  If approved, it could be hit production by 2013.

According to Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics in Birmingham, Mich., he has yet to see what can be done. “The Volt is already well-equipped,” Hall told Bloomberg. “It’s missing power seats and that’s about it. What else can you add to make it a premium car?”

Some ways an upscale version could be done would be to use lighter, more sophisticated materials to give more range to the car. Whether any changes would be made to the power train, such as a larger battery, is anyone’s guess.

Another analyst Bloomberg interviewed said she did not fully see the reasoning. “Why are they badge engineering?” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with IHS Automotive, a research firm based in Lexington, Massachusetts. “The Ampera really is just the Volt.”

A GM spokesman would offer no comment on the Buick plans. The company wants to sell the Chevrolet Volt quickly. It says it is on target with its new-tech car roll out, and plans to build 10,000 this year, and 45,000 next year. It sells for $41,000 before a $7,500 federal tax incentive.

[Source: Bloomberg]

General Motors will look to expand its lineup of extended range electric cars to three models by the time the current Chevrolet Volt’s production cycle has run its course. At least that is GM’s plan for the European market under the Opel/Vauxhall brands where GM has just launched the sister car to the Volt, the Opel Ampera.

According to a report by AutoCar, the new models will arrive in 2015, with the most important being a successor to the original Volt, which will grow in size.

According to GM Europe president Nick Reilly, the ‘Ampera’ family of cars will also include a Astra-sized hatchback, as well as a five-seater crossover – likely based on the Volt MPV5 concept (above), which debuted earlier this year at the Beijing Motor Ahow.

The cost for producing vehicles like the Volt is predicted to decline significantly says Reilly, commenting that GM believes the electrical components required to build the Volt’s powertrain will drop in price by 50 percent over the next five years. Those cost savings, combined with increased popularity of EVs and continued government incentives will drive of demand of such vehicles in the future, allowing GM to expand its lineup to meet the market.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept

[Source: AutoCar]

General Motors is harnessing the small car expertise of their Daewoo division to develop two new small cars, an upscale hatchback to be branded as a Vauxhall or Opel products, and a smaller, less expensive version likely to be sold as a Chevrolet.

The new cars are expected to slot in below the diminutive Corsa, a car considered too small for North America. But the growing popularity of cars like the Fiat 500 has provided some motivation for GM to develop their small car range, especially premium products that can compete with the 500, as well as upcoming entries from other European automakers.

In addition to the small car programs, GM is also looking to make Daewoo a hub for electric vehicle technology, including local production of the Chevrolet Volt.

[Source: Inside Line]

Vauxhall has turned to Lotus for help with their chassis engineering on their upcoming Astra VXR hot hatch. The input from Lotus will supplement the work done by GM division Opel, which is testing the car on German roads.

Lotus has a long tradition of helping third-party manufacturers with their handling and chassis development. Prototypes of cars such as the Nissan GTR were seen at the Lotus test track early on in their development, and Lotus previously helped out with the outgoing Astra VXR.

With the newest edition expected to put down close to 300 horsepower through the front wheels, Lotus has apparently been tasked with tuning the mechanical limited slip fitted to the car. Lotus will ostensibly have to strike a balance between outright performance and quelling the massive torque-steer from the VXR’s turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

[Source: Autocar]

Chevrolet‘s next Aveo will see more bodystyles beyond the traditional hatchback, with a crossover and a sedan among them.

A sedan model will be essential for the U.S. market, where hatchbacks are slowly gaining acceptance, but have been a traditionally tough sell. The Aveo sedan will likely debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but details of the car still haven’t been fully fleshed out.

The crossover will likely be built on a stretched Aveo platform with available all wheel drive, and a premium interior with certain components taken from upmarket Opel models like the Insignia. GM Daewoo bosses, who were responsible for developing the Aveo, were quick to stress that the Aveo would not infringe on Opel or Vauxhall cars, which will retain their premium brand and get their own versions of the Aveo crossover.

[Source: Autocar]

Buick is looking for ways to change its brand image and has so far done a good job with new designs, as well as the launch of new products like the LaCrosse and Regal. It will push further down-market with the introduction of the Verano compact car. But could Buick get smaller still? The answer is, yes.

GM’s European Opel and Vauxhall units have reportedly finished penning a new premium subcompact and with Buick borrowing heavily from Opel as of late there’s certainly a possibility that the small car could jump the pond.

Set to launch in 2013 in Europe, the car (code named Junior after the 1983 concept car) is reportedly 12.14 feet long, which would make it slightly smaller than both the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500. And with Chrysler set to introduce the 500 to U.S. shores later this year, GM would be wise to build a rival small car.

[Source: InsideLine]

With all this talk about sustainable mobility, automakers from around the world are trying all kinds of things. In Europe, Opel has one in the shape of this a “green” commercial concept, based on its Vivaro delivery van. On display at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover, which runs from September 23-30th, the Vivaro e-Concept is, according to Chris Lacey (Director of International Operations for Opel/Vauxhall commercial vehicles), designed to “test the acceptance of our advanced propulsion technology for those attending the [IAA] show.”

The Vivaro e-Concept is a plug-in, extended range vehicle that uses technology similar to the Chevy Volt. It incorporates a 111 kilowatt electric motor that can provide a driving range of more than 220 miles on pure electric power, plus an internal combustion engine that acts as a generator to extend the vehicle’s range beyond that.

The batteries are stored under the floor to help protect them from the elements and can be recharged using a standard household 230 volt outlet. According to specs released from Opel, the Vivaro e-Concept can still haul loads of more than 1,500 lbs, which should make it a viable alternative to it’s regular, gasoline engined counterpart, particularly in parts of some European cities which are currently off-limits to cars and trucks because of noise and pollution restrictions. It’ll be interesting to see what the punters at IAA make of it.

General Motors’ Opel division is set to expand outside of Europe with its establishment in Chile and Israel. Reports say that GM has inked a deal with an independent distributor to sell Opel vehicles in Israel, independent of GM’s vehicle distribution channel in the country.

Despite selling Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and Isuzu, through one channel,  Opel will be sold through its own network perhaps because of Opel’s premium positioning.

Meanwhile, Opel will launch in Chile as brand makes a foray into Latin America. Chile is South America’s most prosperous economies and avoids the high taxes that neighbouring Brazil places on cars. Michael Klaus, the executive director of Opel international operations, told the AP that “German automotive engineering has a high appeal in South America and we are glad to start with Chile.”

[Source: Sympatico Autos]

General Motors is hoping to expand their Opel nameplate beyond its traditional European markets to places like China, Australia, South America and other unspecified Asian countries.

GM is hoping to leverage Opel’s premium brand image to expand its lineups in places where the General lacks a foothold in that market segment. Chevrolet (and Holden) are the sole brands operated by GM in these areas, with the exception of China.

China poses a particular conundrum, since Buick enjoys enormous social cachet in the 1 billion strong country, where the pre-Communist Emperors drove Buicks exclusively. Many Buicks are also derived from Opel products, which may pose a problem for GM, which now must position two premium brands head to head with one another.

General Motors sold 4,000 Opels in China last year as a trial run, and the company is optimistic about the brand’s fortunes. “We will market Opel as a European designed car in the premium segment,” an Opel official told Deutsche Welle. “There are a growing number of Chinese who like European cars and have the money to afford them.”

[Source: Left Lane News]

At a recent meeting regarding their proposed IPO, General Motors outlined their new product plans through the year 2014. According to GM’s plans,70 updates vehicles will be launched by 2012, but most of the vehicles will be for global export markets rather than North America.

While Opel and Vauxhall were confirmed to get 14 new models each, GM executives were a little more evasive regarding North American plans. Vehicles like the Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala, both front-wheel drive large sedans, were shown, while attendees also got to see sketches of the next Cadillac CTS.

GM North America President Mark Reuss said that the company’s focus was on the launch of the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, compacts that can achieve over 40 mpg

[Source: Inside Line]

3D Technology is the latest gimmick designed to keep us entertained and we have to admit, it can be pretty damn cool, and leaves us wondering how glorious it would be to watch an auto race in three-dimensions, with all of the benefit of being trackside but without the excessive noise, hot weather and overpriced greasy food.

Opel has decided to step up and deliver the first automotive advertisement in 3D (at least as far as we know) for their new Meriva minivan. The ad itself isn’t anything spectacular, but we imagine that if viewed with 3D glasses, it would be pretty cool. Not having a pair laying around the office, we couldn’t test out the full effect for ourselves.

[Source: TopSpeed]

Hit the jump to see the Opel Meriva 3D

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As Europe struggles to deal with economic uncertainty in wake of the P-I-G-S crisis, General Motor’s European operations has elected to withdraw its application for government Loan Guarantees. According to sources within GM, the process of securing the loan guarantees has become increasingly complex and is taking longer than anticipated. Although some governments had already committed loan guarantees – particularly Spain and the U.K., uncertainty from others, including Germany, at a time when GM has already committed it’s Opel/Vauxhall brands to new programs and technologies, means that the General has decided to withdraw all applications and instead source the money required internally.

In response to the announcement, Nick Reilly, President of GM Europe and Chairman of Opel/Vauxhall’s management board had this to say. “We appreciate the support indicated by certain governments, especially the U.K. and Spain, but we need to move on. The decision of the German government last week was disappointing and means the conclusion for these guarantees are likely months away. We cannot afford to have uncertain funding plans and time consuming, complex negotiations at this time, when we need to keep investing in new products and technologies. To be clear, our funding needs have not changed and we are grateful to the decision and support of our parent company which will allow us to move forward in this very competitive industry.”

Prior to the announcement the U.K. government had already stated it would commit 330 million Euros (approximately $407 million) worth of Loan Guarantees and the Spanish government a similar amount, this out of a total of 1.8 billion Euros (approx $2.21 billion) requested  from across Europe. However with the German government seeking to enter new negotiations, GM has pulled the plug on external funding.

Instead, it will forge ahead with the 11 billion Euro investment plan into future products that was announced back in Februrary. This includes the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra and Meriva, plus the Ampera plug in hybrid, scheduled to be released next year (shown).

[Source: Spiegel Online]

Thanks to a patent filing process in China, it has been revealed that the Chevy Volt will be badged as a Buick model in what is now the world’s largest auto market. To be more specific, the Opel Ampera (the European version of the Volt) will actually be badged as a Buick. You see, in China, the government requires that automakers file a design patent to ensure that vehicle designs aren’t copied (ironic, we know). And it just so happens that the design submitted to the Chinese patent office is that of the European Ampera and not the Volt.

The decision to badge the Volt/Ampera as a Buick in China makes sense, when you consider the high-esteem and good sales of the Buick brand there.

Adding the Buick badge to the Volt now means that there will be five different Volt-like models, including the original, the Opel Ampera, as well as the Vauxhall Ampera (U.K.) and the Holden Ampera (Australia).

[Source: TheTycho.com]

The Vauxhall/Opel Ampera, sister car to the Chevrolet Volt, is set to launch in Europe in 2012, but GM is already preparing a more powerful version in time for the car’s launch, according to AutoExpress.

Nothing concrete has been announced, but sources indicate that a larger gasoline engine and a bigger battery will help make some extra juice. The standard car uses an electric motor and a 1.4L gas engine, putting out roughly 150 horsepower. The Volt can travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, before a gas motor kicks in.

With the Nissan Leaf already sold out, the demand for an electric car (or plug-in hybrid, like the Volt) is clearly there. But GM might need a competitive edge versus the all-electric Leaf, and a more performance oriented Volt would be a great bridge for those are are on the fence about an electric car, but more open to the idea of a hybrid.

[Source: Auto Express]

You really don’t want to crash at the Nürburgring. Seems like a pretty obvious statement, right? Well it is, but not necessarily for the reasons you may be thinking. The ‘Ring may be one of the most feared racetracks in the world, with its 13+ miles of twists, turns and elevation changes, but the most frightening part of lapping the most famous course on Earth is the potential damage bill if you hit the wall. Forget fixing your car, that comes second to repairing the Armco barriers you’ve just dented. How big can that bill get? Hit the jump to find out.

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General Motors has decided to keep it’s European operations after all. GM has announced that due to the improved economy and improvements in the company’s bottom line, it will not sell off Opel and British automaker Vauxhall.

General Motors had been negotiating to sell the group to a Russian-backed group fronted by Canadian autoparts maker Magna International.

“GM’s overall financial health and stability have improved significantly over the past few months, giving us the confidence that the Euroean business can be successfully restructured,” said CEO Fritz Henderson.

GM’s initial plan is to begin a $4.43 billion restructuring effort and says it will work with European labor unions to make it happen. It is not clear if the European Union’s efforts to block the sale to the Canadian held Magna, over a Belgian group had anything to do with the decision. Initially the Magna deal was preferred by the German government as the Candian company agreed to keep most of Opel’s work force in Germany, in exchange for a secured loan. No doubt GM will still be looking for a similar sized loan now.

GM made the decision contrary to its viability plan that was agreed upon wit the U.S. government, stating that Opel is outperforming the assumptions made in that plan.

“This was deemed to be the most stable and least costly approach for securing Opel/Vauxhall’s long-term future,” said Henderson.

[Source: Automotive News]

Frank Weber, the engineer that is currently running Chevy’s Volt project is parting ways with General Motors. Weber, will be returning to his homeland of Germany, where he will take up a senior management roll at Opel.

GM is currently in the process of selling Opel to Canada’s Magna International and Opel is set to produce its own version of the Volt (called the Ampera) in 2011. No doubt Weber’s expertise on the matter will be extremely beneficial in doing so.

According to GM spokesman Dave Roman, the move was planned and Weber’s replacement has already been found. That man is Doug Parks, who has been at Opel since 2007 and was also involved in the creation of car’s like the Opel Astra and Chevy Cruze.

The is the second big staffing change on the Volt project in the past few weeks with Bob Kruse, GM’s top engineer for hybrids and electric cars, recently having left the company to start his own consulting firm.

[Source: Automotive News]

The sale of GM’s European Opel division to Russian-backed Canadian autoparts maker Magna has been put on hold. The on-again, off-again saga is off-again as GM board is set to meet on November 3rd to review changes to the agreement.

The changes, include a request by the German Economy Minister to GM, asking the company to clarify that the decision to choose Magna over rival Belgian bidder RHJ International was due to business and not political reasons. That may be difficult for GM to do as the German government had promised a significant loan to Opel if Magna was chosen, with the understanding that Magna’s proposal would keep more jobs in Germany.

Recently the European Commission put pressure on the German government to clarify that the proposed aid was available to any bidder and not just to Magna – which it seems was not the case. If the German government changes its tune, that may cause GM to favor Magna’s Belgian competitor and put the entire deal in jeopardy.

[Source: Automotive News]

Just a week after GM announced the return of the Buick Regal nameplate, reports suggest the General may be preparing to launch a high-powered GS trim level. All versions of the car would be based on the European Opel Insignia platform (shown above) but the GS trim model would get the LaCrosse’s 280-hp 3.6-liter V6, as well as Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels. It will be offered in both front-drive and all-wheel drive and there is a strong possibility it will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

Two other trim levels will also be offered, with the base model using GM’s 180-hp direct-injection 2.4-liter EcoTec engine, while a more powerful turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-liter EcoTec engine will be offered.

Buick is expected to deliver the Regal as a 2011 model with production starting soon.

[Source: GMInsideNews]

General Motors has just announced a deal that will see it’s European Opel brand sold off to Canadian autoparts supplier Magna International. The deal has yet to be finalized, but this morning GM announced Magna was the preferred bidder.

The sale will see Magna and Russian backer Sberbank take a 55 percent stake in both Opel and Vauxhall. Opel employees will get a 10 percent stake in the new company. GM will continue to hold on to a 35 percent stake in Opel.

“The hard work over the past two weeks to clarify open issues and resolve details in the German financial package brought GM and its Board of Directors to recommend Magna/Sberbank,” said Fritz Henderson, GM President and CEO. “We thank all parties involved in the intensive process of the last few months — especially the German government — for their continued support that enables this new venture. I’d also like to thank the Opel and Vauxhall customers for their continued loyalty. GM will continue to closely collaborate with Opel and Vauxhall to develop and produce more great cars, such as the new Insignia and the new Astra,” Henderson added.

The deal will see continued cooperation by GM and Opel, allowing the two automakers to take advantage of economies of scale. The cooperation will also extend to projects like the Ampera (pictured above), a European version of the Chevy Volt.

Official release after the jump:

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After announcing earlier this week that it has not reached a deal to sell Opel, General Motors is now apparently exploring options to keep the European unit.

This news comes as a surprise considering selling off Opel is a part of the company’s viability plan as submitted to the U.S. government in order to receive $50 billion in funding. In order to do so GM would reportedly need to raise $4.3 billion, which seems unlikely for a company that is still suffering from decreased sales and has only recently emerged from bankruptcy.

Earlier this week GM announced that it did not come to a decision on which of the two rival candidates it woud choose to sell Opel to. GM has received significant pressure from the German government to accept a deal from Canadian autoparts maker Magna Internatinal, but board members have been opposed to the deal, mostly because it could provide some of Magna’s Russian backers with technology that would allow them to compete with GM.

The German government favors the Magna deal over competing bidder RHJ International because Magna has agreed to keep jobs in Germany. The German government is offering $6.4 billion in loans to help the Magna purchase go through.

Apparently a new deal by RHJ would allow GM to keep some control over Opel and even allow the automaker to buy it back.

GM board members are currently in talks with the German government, where the Opel situation has become a national issue in the country’s upcoming elections. GM’s best case scenario would see the German government secure loans under a sale to RHJ, but so far German Chancelor Angela Merkel has not shown any interest in RHJ.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Earlier this week General Motors officially turned off the lights and locked the doors at its Boxwood Road assembly plant for the last time, marking the end of the line for the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.

The two vehicles (along with the Opel GT) were manufactured at the plant in Wilmington, Delaware, which is being closed as a part of GM’s restructuring process.

General Motors has decided to eliminate the Pontiac brand and sell Saturn to the Penske Automotive Group. The announcement to close the plant came on July 1st when GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time GM gave short notice to plant workers saying the facility would be shuttered by the end of July.

GM spokesman John Raut said the final vehicle to roll off the assembly line was a silver Pontiac Solstice.

[Source: SaturnFans]

After continued rumors that General Motors was still shopping-around its European Opel operations, it appears as though a new buyer has been found. RHJ International, a Belgian company has been cited as the latest bidder and apparently a tentative deal could be signed by the end of the week.

Initially Opel was slated to be sold to Canadian autoparts manufacturer Magna International, but those plans have hit several roadblocks. Magna’s deal did not guarantee the same amount of job protection to Opel’s German workforce and so it put in jeopardy a $2.1 billion loan from the German government. Additionally, GM was not excited about the prospect of handing over its technology so that Magna and Russian partners Sberbank and GAZ could use it to build vehicles for the Russian market.

The deal put forward by RHJ, on the other hand, is more likely to be attractive to the German government and GM would not have to fear competition in the Russian marketplace.

According to the Financial Times, however, the RHJ deal is more attractive because of one factor, the price. An initial bid by the holding company had GM sign an agreement with Magna instead, but apparently RHJ has now upped its offer.

According to the Financial Times, GM could sign tentative agreements with both companies, meaning that the sale of Opel to Magna is not completely out of the question.

One of the other Opel bidders, China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Corp., is also expected to make GM a more attractive offer in the near future.

So it looks like Opel is in hot demand and GM is back in the driver’s seat as it looks to get the most for its European operations and emerge from bankruptcy in the best financial state possible.

[Source: Automotive News]