After operating in the red for 13 consecutive years, Opel will continue to see support from its parent company General Motors, as the automaker announced a €4 billion ($5.2 billion) investment for its European arm through 2016. By then, Opel will introduce 23 new models and 13 new powertrains to the world.
“As a global automotive company GM needs a strong presence in Europe – in terms of design and development as well as manufacturing and sales,” said Dan Akerson, Chairman and CEO of GM, at a press briefing at the Adam Opel Haus. “Opel is a key to our success and enjoys its parent company’s full support.”
At the conclusion of the press briefing, Akerson revealed a piece of the Berlin Wall that belongs to Opel, and stated that it will be placed in front of the Adam Opel Haus.
“This piece of the wall is a symbol of our corporate culture,” said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The symbol should remind everyone that we overcome any walls in our heads and those between different cultures and that we are now starting a new chapter in the history of Opel.”
Comments
I hope this teaches the Germans that GM is trying to help Opel not destroy it.
Exactly, Hafeez…GM is a blessing to Opel, not a curse!
The company lost like 18 billion (please correct me if I got the number wrong) and GM is still committed to Opel. They could have sold Opel and let it meet the same fate as Saab, but they decided to help. Now GM is not only trying to save as many jobs as possible, but even giving it more money, for all I know if Opel was owned by another company it would have met the same fate as Saab. Opel is not better off without GM Germans, no other company would be as committed.
Be selfish, “Help” Opel to help yourself…
GM just decided to keep a foot in one of the most important automobile markets, i.e. Europe. Opel was No. 3 in Europe (EU) by sales numbers in 2012. Isn’t also Opel the second most important brand in the GM portfolio by units, after Chevrolet?
That’s a business which GM did not want to give up.
Agreed, GM is definitely doing a lot in an effort to help Opel continue its existence. But, whether it will work or not, only time will tell. I’m definitely crossing my fingers on this one. Call me cautiously optimistic.
All the more for us to see these smokin hot rides stateside, New Astra please…
The Board of Directors of GM had a meeting in Rüsselsheim. 15 people.
Today (Thursday) they (or a delegation of them) will meet Ms. Merkel in Berlin. More occasion for pompous press events.
More details (in German) from the “Opel-Blog”:
http://www.opel-blog.com/2013/04/10/gm-bekennt-sich-klar-zu-opel/
with (at this moment) 12 comments from the usual suspects…
23 new models 😀 trying to guess which models & what segments. One can only presume that the range of Vauxhall / Opel cars will be ether improved or new models arrive (15) a couple of reworked Vauxhall & Opelised Buick’s (LeCrosse & Enclave (17). As for the other (6) I’m guessing new Omega & Senator (19) new Calibra & Monaro (21) which leaves two new models left to which one can only guess will be new segments, possibly a new Belmont & replacement VX220?
They repeat the “23 new models, 13 new engines” like a mantra, but a part of this future is alreay present, like the Mokka, Adam and Cascada, and maybe some more which are simply facelifts. And some of the engines recently announced and to be found e.g. in the Cascada or the Zafira. And other cars of other brands within the GM conglomerate.
But sure, the numbers “23, 13” sound nice. “Dreiundzwanzig dreizehn” in German, or “two-three, one-three” in English.
Yes I never thought Adam, Cascada & Mokka so it could be nearer 20 even so it’s a decent range. Yes it makes sense the currant range will be replaced in that 23 models as for models id guess are due to be launched are New Insignia, VXR8, Maloo, Agila, Vivaro Tour (9 seater MPV), Antara, Omega, Calibra & Corsa that’s 9 with the 3 (Adam, Cascada & Mokka) makes 12 with 11 left one could only presume the other models are due a facelift to keep them fresh.
11 would be down to 9 facelifts if we include europeanised Buick Enclave & LeCrosse.
Worst case would be for example Astra 3dr, 4dr, 5dr & Estate/wagon to be classed as four different models as opposed to one, thus it’s not really 23 models 🙁