Opel To Bring FlexRide, Adaptive Forward Lighting, Panoramic Windshield To China
19
Opel plans on bringing several new products to China in 2013, and will equip the imported models with its exclusive technologies including FlexRide chassis control system, Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), and a panoramic windshield.
FlexRide Chassis Control
For those not familiar with FlexRide, the chassis control technology allows drivers to change the car’s character with the push of a button. Three modes are available, including Standard, the comfort-focused Tour mode, and the more performance-oriented Sport mode. FlexRide is capable of managing accelerating, shifting, suspension characteristics, and the intervention threshold of the car’s electronic control system.
Adaptive Forward Lighting
Meanwhile, Adaptive Forward Lighting utilizes bi-xenon, gas-discharge headlamps that offer several lighting functions such as adverse weather light, dynamic curve light, cornering light and high beam light assistant, as well as LED daytime running lamps. The system improves overall visibility, especially in poorly-lit situations.
Panoramic Windshield
Finally, the beautiful Panoramic Windshield available on the Astra and Zafira provides an enlarged front glass that extends over the heads of passengers. Combined with narrow A-pillars and wide side windows, Panoramic Windshield provides an impressive field of view and a light, airy, and comfortable driving experience.
Is it cheaper to export to china from eu than from us? Specifically wondering about tarriffs.
Eddidi, do you mean that Opel cars should be produced in the US? Maybe GM should first think about producing all Opels in Opel factories, instead of in Korea…
BTW, this news item is not (yet?) on the European and German Opel news sites, only on the Chinese one. Getting it to journalists in Germany would help to counter the popular misconception, pushed by the German media, that Opel is not allowed to sell Opel cars outside of Europe.
So if Opel/Vauxhall are restricted on where they can sell, are they restricted on what they can sell too?
Opel is not allowed to sell the Ampera outside of Europe.
Opel is allowed to sell niche models in China under its own brand, because a local production of the Cascada or Insignia SportsTourer makes no sense there. However, the volume products of Opel, such as the Insignia sedan, Astra 5-door or Mokka are intended for Buick in China.
Oh cheers, GM in a sense is in a very strong position in that it has a wide range of vehicles to choose from, from various different company’s & countries. So in theory at least could cherry pick a range of cars to suit a variety of audiences & thus expanding ranges more, thus more market share & profit.
Those cars which can be sold in larger quantities in China should also be produced in China. And then it makes no difference for the capacity utilisation of the Opel factories in Europe, if the China-produced cars carry an Opel or a Buick badge.
It would make a difference only regarding the global standing of the Opel brand, but then GM would have to make difficult decisions about the Buick brand. Not easy the be burdened by a long history of handling so many different brands, and handling them differently from country to country.
Observer did not mean that at all. I think Opel should at least be sold in Canada if not us.
Curious about tarrifs is all.
A lot of what is sold in China has to be built there .
To sell cars in China the MFG has to have a dance partner in a Chinese automaker. Often the cars are built at the plants of this partner.
China is building a Auto industry on the backs of the global automakers. Most automakers have to be in China or they could be in jeopardy in the future with smaller market shares globally.
So in other words you are screwed if you go to China by giving up intellectual properly but you are screwed if you do not go with loss of market share in the worlds fastest and largest automotive market.
This is why GM has not sold the Volt or electric Opel there as they do not want to share the secrets.
I am not sure of the numbers but I think automakers have limits on what and where they can imports. I know Holden was importing the Buick RWD cars as kits and putting them together in the Chinese plants owned by their automakers.
Lots of rules and issues with this market but you can’t afford not to be there.
Opel is not coming to the NA market under that name as most of their product will be the same as Buick as time goes on.
Same with Holden as being just a rebadged Chevy in 95% of their products.
Open up new niches, sell stuff GM make & perhaps nobody else dose. Everything from Kei cars to massive 4×4′s, yes some of it maybe a gamble, but being first to market & selling a niche product in a boom, whist everybody else is rushing to build a rival is money in the bank.
Jon — not sure the “first to market” strategy works when it comes to automakers. For instance, Ford was the first in the pony car race with the Mustang… yet Chevy has been outselling it with the Camaro — which followed the Mustang into the segment. There are other examples, as well… of course, there are arguments for being first to market in a segment: Toyota Land Cruiser, for one, created and has dominated the comfortable off-roader segments… that said, being first may not pay off financially due to investment in R&D/engineering/design and tooling/plant preparation, followed by marketing (to create/define the segment).
they should offer the other two features on the Regal
Any chance of a Coupe Insignia/Regal
Various pictures on Internet of insignia based Calibra’s etc (even one of a Shooting Brake), a 5dr Adam etc etc etc. Wonder if any are genuine or if they are all doctored in some way.
@Jon All, if not most, are doctored…
Cheers, that would explain why cars haven’t made it to the showroom & remain just on the Internet.
Some look alright, some not so.
How about GM do a 3dr Adam estate to rival the Mini Clubman?