Opel: Sales, Marketing, and Financial news
05-07-2003, 04:25 PM
#1
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Opel: Sales, Marketing, and Financial news
Return of the Opel? GM honchos may rekindle Euro brand in U.S.
By MATT DAVIS
OPEL SOURCES IN GERMANY tell us that soon after the September Frankfurt show, Opel design chief Martin Smith and GM Europe boss Mike Burns will approach GM North America to restart the flow of Opel models into the North American market. Opel last sold cars in the United States in the late 1970s.
Sources say the case will be made to bring the Opel Signum and Vectra wagon to North America, with more models to follow. In Frankfurt, Opel will show the large Vectra wagon as well as the five-door version of the GTC Geneve three-door unveiled in Geneva in March and due to become the 2005 Opel Astra.
As with GM North America’s dealings with Holden in Australia for the Monaro-based Pontiac GTO and other models perhaps to follow, the plan to bring Opel back to North America is another part of GM vice chairman Bob Lutz’s effort to add more cars to the
automaker’s truck-heavy portfolio.
Consider this as well: Opel’s Olympia recovery plan (cutting costs and accelerating model renewals) has had dramatic results after only two years. That is one reason sources on both sides of the Atlantic continue to put Martin Smith’s name at the top of the list of likely successors to GM design chief Wayne Cherry.
By MATT DAVIS
OPEL SOURCES IN GERMANY tell us that soon after the September Frankfurt show, Opel design chief Martin Smith and GM Europe boss Mike Burns will approach GM North America to restart the flow of Opel models into the North American market. Opel last sold cars in the United States in the late 1970s.
Sources say the case will be made to bring the Opel Signum and Vectra wagon to North America, with more models to follow. In Frankfurt, Opel will show the large Vectra wagon as well as the five-door version of the GTC Geneve three-door unveiled in Geneva in March and due to become the 2005 Opel Astra.
As with GM North America’s dealings with Holden in Australia for the Monaro-based Pontiac GTO and other models perhaps to follow, the plan to bring Opel back to North America is another part of GM vice chairman Bob Lutz’s effort to add more cars to the
automaker’s truck-heavy portfolio.
Consider this as well: Opel’s Olympia recovery plan (cutting costs and accelerating model renewals) has had dramatic results after only two years. That is one reason sources on both sides of the Atlantic continue to put Martin Smith’s name at the top of the list of likely successors to GM design chief Wayne Cherry.
05-07-2003, 04:40 PM
#2
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
This is very good news if it happens. Even if it does not happen it is still good news. That shows how comitted GM is to become car-centric once again (from truck-centric today).
Combine the above with the fact that now 70% of the money is directed towards car development from 70% towards truck development in the past and you got a formula that is bound to succeed. Time to see some interesting offerings from GM in the car department. OPEL can help.
Combine the above with the fact that now 70% of the money is directed towards car development from 70% towards truck development in the past and you got a formula that is bound to succeed. Time to see some interesting offerings from GM in the car department. OPEL can help.
05-07-2003, 05:59 PM
#3
Safety Car
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: philly
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that is good news, opel has some nice looking cars and if they are successful there will be the potential for an increasingly larger lineup. now we just need peugeot to sign up.
05-07-2003, 06:09 PM
#4
Safety Car
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: philly
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
forbes.com
As for PSA, it may be the only company that actually does get swallowed up in the near future. Besides engine technology, the French automaker isn't seen as having the special cache of a BMW, either in the U.S. or in Europe. The same pressures that may force Volkswagen to focus more on profits than job protection are expected to come to bear on PSA.
And the suitor? Raymond James' Salchow says only GM would want PSA. "You could imagine a Saab-Alfa Romeo-Peugeot dealership," he says. That would strengthen GM's luxury hand, wouldn't cost nearly as much as BMW, and GM would get PSA's engine expertise.
As for PSA, it may be the only company that actually does get swallowed up in the near future. Besides engine technology, the French automaker isn't seen as having the special cache of a BMW, either in the U.S. or in Europe. The same pressures that may force Volkswagen to focus more on profits than job protection are expected to come to bear on PSA.
And the suitor? Raymond James' Salchow says only GM would want PSA. "You could imagine a Saab-Alfa Romeo-Peugeot dealership," he says. That would strengthen GM's luxury hand, wouldn't cost nearly as much as BMW, and GM would get PSA's engine expertise.
01-07-2005, 08:46 AM
#6
Senior Moderator
about time GM, Opel comes to US as Saturn
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/05detroit/07sky.htm
I personally would not have made it a Saturn model, but meh, whatever
I personally would not have made it a Saturn model, but meh, whatever
Trending Topics
03-29-2005, 02:41 PM
#8
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Labor boss urges GM to sell Opels in U.S.
Labor boss urges GM to sell Opels in U.S. - - Reuters / March 29, 2005 - - Source: Automotive News
FRANKFURT -- A labor leader at General Motors' Adam Opel unit renewed calls for Detroit to approve the sale of Opel-brand passenger cars in North America as the German business faces a weak European market.
"If we really push it, we could begin selling Opel cars in the U.S. in one to two years," Klaus Franz, head of the Opel works council, told Reuters on Tuesday.
The brand could succeed despite brutal competition by emphasizing its European design and engineering, he said.
A spokesman for GM in Europe said, however, the company had no plans to export Opel cars to the U.S.
"The most important reason is the unfavorable exchange rate, but that's not the only one," he said.
"The company has a sufficient number of brands in the U.S. to cover all customer groups, and Opel's U.S. sister-brand Saturn integrates Opel technology and design into its models much like Opel's sister-brand Vauxhall does in the UK," the spokesman continued.
Earlier this month, shares in GM plunged after the company said it would post a first-quarter loss and sharply lowered its full-year earnings guidance due to a slump in sales in its domestic market.
Following recent signals from GM development chief Bob Lutz that he was considering phasing out either the Buick or Pontiac marque should sales continue to disappoint, Franz said it was the right time for Detroit to launch the Opel nameplate.
"The company has a product range problem in the U.S., but the fault doesn't lie with the trucks, rather with the passenger cars," Franz said, adding that models such as the Zafira van and the Signum crossover wagon would be ideal for the U.S. market.
Opel rival Volkswagen suffered an operating loss of 907 million euros ($1.2 billion) in North America last year and doesn't expect to break even any earlier than 2006 due to the strong euro, but Franz said any disadvantages arising from exchange rates would be less problematic for GM than its penchant to hand out rebates of up to $5,000 on its cars.
"The negative currency effects could be largely compensated," Franz said, citing transfer pricing as a means to offset the impact of foreign exchange.
Industry analyst Ulrich Winzen of Polk Marketing Systems agreed with GM, saying he saw no economic reason why the company should export Opel cars to the U.S.
"There's more potential for Opel in Eastern Europe or Asia," he said. "But GM exporting Opel cars to U.S. would be as absurd as Volkswagen exporting its Seat and Skoda brand cars to the U.S."
"If we really push it, we could begin selling Opel cars in the U.S. in one to two years," Klaus Franz, head of the Opel works council, told Reuters on Tuesday.
The brand could succeed despite brutal competition by emphasizing its European design and engineering, he said.
A spokesman for GM in Europe said, however, the company had no plans to export Opel cars to the U.S.
"The most important reason is the unfavorable exchange rate, but that's not the only one," he said.
"The company has a sufficient number of brands in the U.S. to cover all customer groups, and Opel's U.S. sister-brand Saturn integrates Opel technology and design into its models much like Opel's sister-brand Vauxhall does in the UK," the spokesman continued.
Earlier this month, shares in GM plunged after the company said it would post a first-quarter loss and sharply lowered its full-year earnings guidance due to a slump in sales in its domestic market.
Following recent signals from GM development chief Bob Lutz that he was considering phasing out either the Buick or Pontiac marque should sales continue to disappoint, Franz said it was the right time for Detroit to launch the Opel nameplate.
"The company has a product range problem in the U.S., but the fault doesn't lie with the trucks, rather with the passenger cars," Franz said, adding that models such as the Zafira van and the Signum crossover wagon would be ideal for the U.S. market.
Opel rival Volkswagen suffered an operating loss of 907 million euros ($1.2 billion) in North America last year and doesn't expect to break even any earlier than 2006 due to the strong euro, but Franz said any disadvantages arising from exchange rates would be less problematic for GM than its penchant to hand out rebates of up to $5,000 on its cars.
"The negative currency effects could be largely compensated," Franz said, citing transfer pricing as a means to offset the impact of foreign exchange.
Industry analyst Ulrich Winzen of Polk Marketing Systems agreed with GM, saying he saw no economic reason why the company should export Opel cars to the U.S.
"There's more potential for Opel in Eastern Europe or Asia," he said. "But GM exporting Opel cars to U.S. would be as absurd as Volkswagen exporting its Seat and Skoda brand cars to the U.S."
03-29-2005, 02:43 PM
#9
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Selling Opels in the US market, exporting them from Germany or wherever Opels are made would be a huge financial mistake. But that's not the point. GM does not need to export Opels here, they can "clone" and even refine-upon existing Opels and build them where GM factories that sell cars to the US market exist. Like in the case of the Sky for example.
For God's sake, GM owns Opel, WTF! Just get the "good things" about them and apply them on future designs that would make sense for our market. Why is it so difficult in reality?
For God's sake, GM owns Opel, WTF! Just get the "good things" about them and apply them on future designs that would make sense for our market. Why is it so difficult in reality?
03-29-2005, 02:54 PM
#10
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
One more time, let's check out some Opels:
Corsa
Astra
Up to 2L turbo with 200HP (I believe there might be a latest iteration with more power from the same engine - - up to 220)
Comes as cabrio too.
Vectra
Up to 3.2 liters V6. This is the old Cadillac CTS engine making around 215HP. Also comes with the above turbo engine.
Zafira
Three rows of seats available. Comes with the above turbo engine also.
Signum
Turbo engine available also.
Finally the Speedster
2.2 liters, 147HP.
Corsa
Astra
Up to 2L turbo with 200HP (I believe there might be a latest iteration with more power from the same engine - - up to 220)
Comes as cabrio too.
Vectra
Up to 3.2 liters V6. This is the old Cadillac CTS engine making around 215HP. Also comes with the above turbo engine.
Zafira
Three rows of seats available. Comes with the above turbo engine also.
Signum
Turbo engine available also.
Finally the Speedster
2.2 liters, 147HP.
03-29-2005, 03:12 PM
#12
Technically speaking, we already have most of the Opel platforms here in the US. They simple appear as with different bodies under different brands throughout the GM lineup. The things we don't have are the suspension tuning, the motors, and the interiors. If GM could just introduce those things here in the US, they might actually be able to steal back market share.
03-29-2005, 03:17 PM
#13
The sizzle in the Steak
Export the Speedster to the U.S. 
They can keep all the rest of the Opel crap.
They can keep all the rest of the Opel crap.
03-29-2005, 03:18 PM
#14
Senior Moderator
Hey, gav...Doesn't Opel make the Omega as well? 
Or is the Omega discontinued a la the Acura CL...?
Or is the Omega discontinued a la the Acura CL...?
03-29-2005, 04:52 PM
#15
Safety Car
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gavriil
Selling Opels in the US market, exporting them from Germany or wherever Opels are made would be a huge financial mistake. But that's not the point. GM does not need to export Opels here, they can "clone" and even refine-upon existing Opels and build them where GM factories that sell cars to the US market exist. Like in the case of the Sky for example.
For God's sake, GM owns Opel, WTF! Just get the "good things" about them and apply them on future designs that would make sense for our market. Why is it so difficult in reality?
For God's sake, GM owns Opel, WTF! Just get the "good things" about them and apply them on future designs that would make sense for our market. Why is it so difficult in reality?
03-29-2005, 05:52 PM
#16
Where is my super sauce?
Been there done that.
GM marketed Opels here in the US in the 1960s and 1970s through Buick dealerships. I know because we owned one in the early 1970s.
The 1900 and the Kadett were pretty uninteresting cars. The Opel Manta and GT were pretty cool cars.
Our 1900 was plagued with electrical gremlins, as seem to be the tradition in German cars. The car otherwise was OK and lasted about 11 years without too many break downs.
For whatever reason, they took Opel away from the US market then, why try the experiment again?
GM marketed Opels here in the US in the 1960s and 1970s through Buick dealerships. I know because we owned one in the early 1970s.
The 1900 and the Kadett were pretty uninteresting cars. The Opel Manta and GT were pretty cool cars.
Our 1900 was plagued with electrical gremlins, as seem to be the tradition in German cars. The car otherwise was OK and lasted about 11 years without too many break downs.
For whatever reason, they took Opel away from the US market then, why try the experiment again?
03-30-2005, 12:32 PM
#17
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Export the Speedster to the U.S.
They can keep all the rest of the Opel crap.
They can keep all the rest of the Opel crap.
The last thing American buyers need are more GM products that mimic the Chevy Malibu and Aveo. :shakehead
04-02-2005, 05:33 PM
#20
is Pretty Much a Moron
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Rochester, NY
Age: 37
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
The last thing GM needs is ANOTHER brand. They've got too many brands, not enough cars.....hence their rampant rebadging. How about consolidating and becoming more cost effecient, while working on interior and esterior DESIGN, and using the money left over from the cosolidation effort to upgrade the materials.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
