<![CDATA[GM Inside News Forum - Opel & Vauxhall News]]>

<![CDATA[GM Inside News Forum - Opel & Vauxhall News]]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums The Latest Opel and Vauxhall From Europe and China! en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:50:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/v2/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[GM Inside News Forum - Opel & Vauxhall News]]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums Opel Corsa MY 10.5: New heart, new muscles – everything under the skin is new http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/opel-corsa-my-10-5-new-heart-new-muscles-everything-under-skin-new-86291/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:33:28 GMT *Opel Corsa: New heart, new muscles – everything under the skin is new* Opel Media Europe 2009-11-19 Rüsselsheim. Come January 2010, the Opel Corsa gets a complete re-make, with major engineering changes so numerous that the super-mini family is reshaped. A re-vamped powertrain line-up, chassis improvements and a steering recalibration will give the Corsa better performance and greater fuel economy – as well as superb passenger comfort, excellent handling and exciting driving dynamics. The Corsa stays faithful to its exciting design, with sporty contours and one of the roomiest and most flattering interiors in its class. It also features innovative technologies that remain exceptional in the small car segment. These include the halogen AFL curve and cornering lights, a heated steering wheel and the integrated bicycle carrier system FlexFix which is unique to Opel. The Corsa, which accounts for some 30 percent of Opel/Vauxhall total sales, is available in two distinctly different variants: the coupé-like three-door and the family friendly five-door model. Image: http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/473/corsa1t.jpg *Much lower fuel consumption and increased output in the gasoline engine line-up* The Opel Corsa boasts a new gasoline engine line-up that fully complies with Euro 5 standards. All engines have been re-worked to offer more torque while featuring up to 13 per cent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Both the 1.2- and 1.4-liter Twinport variants are each available in two versions with different outputs. Every country selects and offers customers the variants that suit the needs of their region. Some may decide to go for optimal fuel efficiency; other may want to balance it with more performance. The most popular gasoline powertrains (the 1.0 to 1.4 liter with manual and Easytronic transmissions) now have fuel consumptions between 5.0 and 5.5 liter/100 km, with maximum CO2 emissions of only 129 g/km. Image: http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5520/corsa2.jpg *Transmissions offer a choice between optimal fuel economy or greater performance* In many cases, the new gasoline-powered Corsa offers a choice between close- and wide- transmission ratios. Traditionally, close ratio transmissions are matched to gasoline engines for sportier, higher rpm gear changes, while wide ratio transmissions in diesel vehicles compensate for a narrower rpm bandwidth and provide more economical driving. Because all gasoline engines have improved their torque values, especially at lower rpm, it has been possible to also match them with wide ratios transmissions. As they now have the choice between transmissions with performance-oriented short- or economy-focused wide ratios, Opel national entities can best adapt their offer to the driving needs and tastes of their customers and the specific tax regulations in their market. Image: http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3214/corsa3.jpg *Diesel engines: New top-of-line 1.7 CDTI 130 hp with 300 Nm and 95 hp ecoFLEX* 1.7 CDTI: The top-of-the-line 1.7 CDTI diesel engine in the Corsa range also gains output and torque while reducing its appetite for fuel. Power increases from 92 kW/125 hp to 96 kW/130 hp while the torque value rises from 280 to 300 Nm at the same engine speed. Emissions, on the contrary, fall 9 percent – at a remarkable 118 g/km CO2 from 130 g/km CO2 for the 3-door version. The Corsa 1.7 CDTI now reaches 200 km/h (5 km/h more than the previous generation) and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (versus 9.9 seconds on the previous generation). Due to its increased torque, it now accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear in 9.3 seconds only (compared with 10.4 seconds previously). While making it Euro 5 compliant, Opel engineers bettered the performance of the 1.7 CDTI by adding a new turbo charger with an actuator position sensor providing a more precise control of the boost pressure. To reduce fuel consumption, they developed a fuel injection system that improves the combustion process; they also switched to low voltage glow plugs that reduce the load on the generator when the engine warms up. A new, lighter intake manifold also helps the Corsa shed weight and an up-shift indicator assists the driver in adopting an economical driving style. 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX: The new, lowest emitting Corsa ecoFLEX variant is now powered by a sophisticated, 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry. It is packed with 27 percent more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent. With its 190 Nm of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, this Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 l/100 km, releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km. A particulate filter is standard. An up-shift indicator on the dashboard helps the driver optimize fuel economy. This version replaces the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX (55 kW/75 hp) with 109 g/km CO2 which was only available in 3-door version. More details at the link: GM Europe (http://media.opel.com/content/media/intl/en/news/news_detail.brand_opel.html/content/Pages/news/intl/en/2009/OPEL/11_19_Opel_Corsa_Muscles) Image: http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8362/corsa4u.jpg Opel Corsa: New heart, new muscles – everything under the skin is new
Opel Media Europe
2009-11-19

Rüsselsheim. Come January 2010, the Opel Corsa gets a complete re-make, with major engineering changes so numerous that the super-mini family is reshaped. A re-vamped powertrain line-up, chassis improvements and a steering recalibration will give the Corsa better performance and greater fuel economy – as well as superb passenger comfort, excellent handling and exciting driving dynamics.

The Corsa stays faithful to its exciting design, with sporty contours and one of the roomiest and most flattering interiors in its class. It also features innovative technologies that remain exceptional in the small car segment. These include the halogen AFL curve and cornering lights, a heated steering wheel and the integrated bicycle carrier system FlexFix which is unique to Opel. The Corsa, which accounts for some 30 percent of Opel/Vauxhall total sales, is available in two distinctly different variants: the coupé-like three-door and the family friendly five-door model.

Much lower fuel consumption and increased output in the gasoline engine line-up

The Opel Corsa boasts a new gasoline engine line-up that fully complies with Euro 5 standards. All engines have been re-worked to offer more torque while featuring up to 13 per cent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Both the 1.2- and 1.4-liter Twinport variants are each available in two versions with different outputs. Every country selects and offers customers the variants that suit the needs of their region. Some may decide to go for optimal fuel efficiency; other may want to balance it with more performance.

The most popular gasoline powertrains (the 1.0 to 1.4 liter with manual and Easytronic transmissions) now have fuel consumptions between 5.0 and 5.5 liter/100 km, with maximum CO2 emissions of only 129 g/km.

Transmissions offer a choice between optimal fuel economy or greater performance

In many cases, the new gasoline-powered Corsa offers a choice between close- and wide- transmission ratios. Traditionally, close ratio transmissions are matched to gasoline engines for sportier, higher rpm gear changes, while wide ratio transmissions in diesel vehicles compensate for a narrower rpm bandwidth and provide more economical driving.

Because all gasoline engines have improved their torque values, especially at lower rpm, it has been possible to also match them with wide ratios transmissions. As they now have the choice between transmissions with performance-oriented short- or economy-focused wide ratios, Opel national entities can best adapt their offer to the driving needs and tastes of their customers and the specific tax regulations in their market.

Diesel engines: New top-of-line 1.7 CDTI 130 hp with 300 Nm and 95 hp ecoFLEX

1.7 CDTI:
The top-of-the-line 1.7 CDTI diesel engine in the Corsa range also gains output and torque while reducing its appetite for fuel. Power increases from 92 kW/125 hp to 96 kW/130 hp while the torque value rises from 280 to 300 Nm at the same engine speed. Emissions, on the contrary, fall 9 percent – at a remarkable 118 g/km CO2 from 130 g/km CO2 for the 3-door version. The Corsa 1.7 CDTI now reaches 200 km/h (5 km/h more than the previous generation) and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (versus 9.9 seconds on the previous generation). Due to its increased torque, it now accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear in 9.3 seconds only (compared with 10.4 seconds previously).

While making it Euro 5 compliant, Opel engineers bettered the performance of the 1.7 CDTI by adding a new turbo charger with an actuator position sensor providing a more precise control of the boost pressure. To reduce fuel consumption, they developed a fuel injection system that improves the combustion process; they also switched to low voltage glow plugs that reduce the load on the generator when the engine warms up. A new, lighter intake manifold also helps the Corsa shed weight and an up-shift indicator assists the driver in adopting an economical driving style.

1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX:
The new, lowest emitting Corsa ecoFLEX variant is now powered by a sophisticated, 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry. It is packed with 27 percent more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent. With its 190 Nm of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, this Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 l/100 km, releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km. A particulate filter is standard. An up-shift indicator on the dashboard helps the driver optimize fuel economy.

This version replaces the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX (55 kW/75 hp) with 109 g/km CO2 which was only available in 3-door version.

More details at the link: GM Europe

]]> Toto http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/opel-corsa-my-10-5-new-heart-new-muscles-everything-under-skin-new-86291/ Financial Times: GM to slash capacity by 20% in Europe http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/financial-times-gm-slash-capacity-20-europe-86228/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:55:28 GMT FT.com

GM to slash capacity by 20% in Europe
By John Reed in London

Published: November 17 2009 19:20 | Last updated: November 17 2009 19:20

General Motors said it planned to cut capacity by 20 to 25 per cent and headcount by 9,000 to 10,000 at its European bands Opel and Vauxhall, but denied it would engage in a “bidding war” over jobs with European governments from which it is seeking aid.

Nick Reilly, Opel’s acting chief executive and head of GM’s international operations, said the carmaker hoped to have agreement in principle on loans or guarantees from governments where it has plants within three weeks, and a restructuring plan implemented by the end of this year.

GM is seeking €3.3bn ($4.9bn) to restructure Opel and invest in new products. It says it is willing to provide some of the amount itself, depending on the outcome of its talks on government aid.

Mr Reilly made the remarks after talks on Tuesday on potential loans or guarantees with Peter Mandelson, Britain’s business secretary, and on its restructuring plans with Unite, the trade union.

This week, he held similar talks in Belgium and Poland, where GM also has plants, and will now be visiting Spain.

Mr Reilly said: “There is not a specific bidding war among countries where we say, ‘If you give us this much, we will give you this much capacity.’”

However, he said that “if a country refuses to participate at all, then of course it could influence plans somewhat.”

He added that this was a “hypothetical situation”, adding that Lord Mandelson had said he would “do what he could”.

GM is not commenting on where it plans to make job and capacity reductions – the subject of noisy controversy during Magna International’s failed bid for Opel, and a warning from the European Union on illegal state aid – until it has finished consultations with unions and governments.

Mr Reilly said GM saw a “good future” for both UK plants, although he would not rule out that “a plant” might close elsewhere in Europe.

GM might scale back 800 job cuts mooted by Magna at its larger plant in Ellesmere Port in northern England “quite significantly”.

The 20-25 per cent capacity cut GM is planning across Europe is smaller than a gloomier projection made earlier this year, when the Detroit carmaker said it had overcapacity equivalent to three of its eight car plants on the continent.

At Luton, GM is in discussions with Renault, which makes commercial vehicles in a joint venture contract due to expire in 2013, on potential future plans. If Renault pulled out, Mr Reilly, said, GM would strive to “do something else” at the plant.

GM’s European arm lost about $400m in the third quarter. Mr Reilly said Opel had about $2.5bn of liquidity on hand, enough to last “well into the first quarter of next year”.

GM would repay €400m of an outstanding German government bridge loan not from Opel/Vauxhall, but from its own funds.

LINK ]]> Simon says http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/financial-times-gm-slash-capacity-20-europe-86228/ GM Repays Germany on $2.2B Opel Loan http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-repays-germany-2-2b-opel-loan-86155/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:33:56 GMT *GM Repays Germany on $2.2B Opel loan* Link to article (http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-repays-germany-on-2-2b-opel-loan.html) By Drew Johnson November 13, 2009 Image: http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-repays-germany-on-2-2b-opel-loan.html ---Quote--- General Motors announced on Friday that it has repaid Germany on a $2.2 billion loan the company received in June to keep its Opel brand afloat. GM says it has already paid back a previous loan of $300 million. Germany extended bridge loans to General Motors during its 39-day bankruptcy to keep its German Opel brand up and running, but demanded the Detroit automaker repay the loans following Opel’s failed sale to Canada’s Magna International. “We now have an outstanding balance of 400 million euros, which we expect to pay back by November 30,” said Enrico Digirolamo, GM Europe chief financial officer, in a statement. The German government vowed another 4.5 billion euro to aid Opel’s turnaround, but that loan is now in doubt as Germany distances itself from funding U.S. government-owned General Motors. GM chairman Ed Whitacre says the company has no intentions of asking the German government for additional loans. However, GM is hopeful that other European governments will help fund Opel’s turnaround plan. If no European governments step up, GM could be forced to rescue Opel with U.S. taxpayer dollars. ---End Quote--- GM Repays Germany on $2.2B Opel loan
Link to article

By Drew Johnson
November 13, 2009

Quote:

General Motors announced on Friday that it has repaid Germany on a $2.2 billion loan the company received in June to keep its Opel brand afloat. GM says it has already paid back a previous loan of $300 million.

Germany extended bridge loans to General Motors during its 39-day bankruptcy to keep its German Opel brand up and running, but demanded the Detroit automaker repay the loans following Opel’s failed sale to Canada’s Magna International.

“We now have an outstanding balance of 400 million euros, which we expect to pay back by November 30,” said Enrico Digirolamo, GM Europe chief financial officer, in a statement.

The German government vowed another 4.5 billion euro to aid Opel’s turnaround, but that loan is now in doubt as Germany distances itself from funding U.S. government-owned General Motors. GM chairman Ed Whitacre says the company has no intentions of asking the German government for additional loans.

However, GM is hopeful that other European governments will help fund Opel’s turnaround plan. If no European governments step up, GM could be forced to rescue Opel with U.S. taxpayer dollars.

]]> FenwickHockey65 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-repays-germany-2-2b-opel-loan-86155/ <![CDATA[GM angers Europe's leaders, but Opel decision gains plaudits]]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-angers-europes-leaders-but-opel-decision-gains-plaudits-86138/ Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:39:49 GMT

Neil Winton: European Perspective

General Motors Co.'s last-minute decision to hang on to its European Opel marque left Russian Premier Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angel Merkel spluttering with anger and induced German unions to take to the streets chanting abuse, but despite all this negativity, retaining control of its European operation makes lots of sense.

It's not often that a decision has angered such a wide range of powerful opinion but GM managed it. A Wall Street Journal editorial put it this way: "Auto executives are almost as bad at politics as politicians are at making cars -- at least if the international flap over General Motors' decision to keep Opel is any indication."

There were four main reasons why GM felt able to face down the inevitable firestorm of rage from such important quarters. Firstly, Opel and its sister company Vauxhall of Britain benefitted hugely from Germany's 5 billion euro ($7.5 billion) and to a lesser extent the U.K., France, Italy and Spain's "cash for clunkers" schemes. This meant that as the protracted talks with the Magna of Canada/Sberbank of Russia consortium dragged on through the German election on September 27 and beyond, Opel Vauxhall's financial situation was being dragged back from the abyss.

Secondly, the decision by the European Union to investigate Germany's 4.5 billion euro ($6.7 billion) offer of aid to Magna made GM sit up and think -- "Hey, if we hang on to Opel, why can't we have that money?"

Article continues at link...

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091...gains-plaudits ]]> plane http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-angers-europes-leaders-but-opel-decision-gains-plaudits-86138/ GM chief engineer relieved Opel staying with GM http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-chief-engineer-relieved-opel-staying-gm-86025/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:53:40 GMT DETROIT – When General Motors Co.'s board halted the sale of the company's European car business last week, no one was happier than the automaker's chief engineer.

Engineers with the Ruesselsheim, Germany-based Opel have designed the basics of GM's new compact and midsize cars that are sold across the globe, and they do much of the company's research on safety and electric vehicles. So it would be difficult to separate them from engineering operations in the U.S. and elsewhere, said Mark Reuss, vice president of global vehicle engineering.

"It would have made everything a lot harder," said Reuss, who was picked to head GM's engineering shortly after the company emerged from bankruptcy protection last summer.

GM wouldn't have lost all of its designs and technology if it had sold Opel, which it has owned since 1929. "But I'm really happy that we're keeping it," Reuss said.

The reason GM even considered selling Opel was because it was it headed toward bankruptcy protection when it agreed to the deal in May. Since then, it's cut its debt, scaled back operations and seen car sales stabilize.

Under the deal, 55 percent of Opel would have gone to a consortium of car parts maker Magna International Inc. and Russian lender Sberbank. The sale was ditched partly over fears that GM would lose control of Opel-designed technology, which includes next-generation designs for some key cars to be sold in the U.S.

GM would have kept 35 percent of Opel and the British Vauxhall unit, but without controlling interest, Opel resources could have been diverted away from GM's global cars to projects that were priorities of the new owners, Reuss said.

"You're competing for resources at that point, because you've only got a 35 percent share," he said.

He also had concerns about losing technology to rivals, even with a sale agreement that put some controls on how the new owners could use GM technology.

BATTERY-POWER LOSS: Much of GM's expertise in battery-powered electric vehicles has been done by Opel and Magna has plans to design an electric car.

DESIGNS FOR U.S. SEDANS: Opel engineers have also designed the frame and underpinnings of GM's next-generation midsize cars, the Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and for the Chevrolet Cruze compact.

CHEVY'S RUSSIAN RIVAL: Sberbank likely would have ceded its interest in Opel to Russian automaker Gaz, another area of concern for GM officials.

Gaz, which is years behind other automakers in technology, competes against Chevrolet in Russia, which is expected to be a big growth market.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091110/...l_s_importance ]]> neshapop http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-chief-engineer-relieved-opel-staying-gm-86025/ GM appoints new interim chief for Opel/Vauxhall http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-appoints-new-interim-chief-opel-vauxhall-86008/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:24:09 GMT FRANKFURT (AFP) – The US automaker General Motors has named executive vice president Nick Reilly as temporary head of its Opel/Vauxhall brands in Europe, a statement said on Tuesday.

The decision would take effect immediately, but "at the same time, an external search for a new chief executive has begun," it added.

Former chief executive Carl-Peter Forster has decided to step down following GM's decision to hang on to Opel/Vauxhall and restructure the companies.

Reilly, a British national who already has experience with Vauxhall, will be tasked with developing a long-term strategy for the success of the loss-making car makers, the statement said.

He is considered a specialist in company restructuring and has worked at GM for more than 30 years.

GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Reilly toured Opel headquarters in Ruesselsheim, near Frankfurt, and met on Tuesday with labour representatives.

Reilly, who holds a degree from Cambridge University, was hired by GM in 1975, and has worked until recently in its Chinese operations.

He also helped turn around operations at the Daewoo brand in South Korea and organised the closure of a Vauxhall in Luton, Britain, around 10 years ago.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091110...vegmopelreilly ]]> neshapop http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-appoints-new-interim-chief-opel-vauxhall-86008/ GM CEO starts Opel charm tour at Ruesselsheim HQ http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-ceo-starts-opel-charm-tour-ruesselsheim-hq-85973/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:27:10 GMT FRANKFURT (Reuters) – General Motors (GM.UL) Chief Executive Fritz Henderson was due in Germany on Monday to start talks aimed at soothing workers' tempers over the carmaker's plan to reorganize European arm Opel on its own.

GM plunged Opel into turmoil last week by reversing its plan to sell the business to a Russian-backed consortium led by Canada's Magna (MGa.TO), a deal that Henderson backed but that many in Detroit opposed given a nascent market recovery.

The U-turn torpedoed months of difficult negotiations and infuriated German political leaders and Opel staff.

Emotions are running high among the 25,000 workers in Germany who had feverishly hoped Magna would take control of Opel, which they believe GM had long neglected in favor of the Chevrolet brand.

Opel's top labor leader, Klaus Franz, told Reuters that he wanted Detroit to grant the same degree of autonomy to the European carmaker it would have received under Magna as a precondition for talks on any staff and wage cuts.

"GM does not enjoy any credibility or faith in the eyes of the public or the government, so they now have to consider whether they now want to seek confrontation or cooperation by finding a common solution," Franz said on Sunday.

Henderson, who was due to speak to management and staff in the Ruesselsheim headquarters of Opel on Monday, was expected to bring along Nick Reilly, the Briton in charge of restructuring Opel until ex-GM Europe boss Carl-Peter Forster is replaced.

In Opel staff's eyes Reilly comes to the job with heavy baggage.

As head of GM's international operations based in Shanghai, he chairs rival GM unit Daewoo, which many in Germany believe has grown in Europe at Opel's expense by exporting cheap Korean-made Chevys.

He once served as chairman of Opel's British sister brand Vauxhall, where he announced in 2000 that GM would end car production at its Luton plant.

More...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091109/bs_nm/us_gm_opel ]]> neshapop http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-ceo-starts-opel-charm-tour-ruesselsheim-hq-85973/ Lutz to be new chairman of Opel http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/lutz-new-chairman-opel-85890/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:21:58 GMT Spiegel Online earlier reported (and Automotive News has since confirmed) that Bob Lutz will replace Carl-Peter Forster as the new chairman (head of the supervisory board) of Opel:

http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unt...659845,00.html

In German, I'm afraid.

An excellent fit, given Lutz's background.

The story also reports that Opel managers who were in favor of the split now fear they'll be replaced with loyal managers from the U.S. A number of other senior executive changes are discussed.

Automotive News adds that Lutz will not have a direct management role at Opel. The supervisory board, of which he was already a member, meets only three or four times a year. There will be a search for a new CEO to replace Forster in that capacity. ]]> mkaresh http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/lutz-new-chairman-opel-85890/ <![CDATA[GM Europe head 'quits following Opel U-turn']]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-europe-head-quits-following-opel-u-turn-85878/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:28:35 GMT FRANKFURT (AFP) - General Motors Europe head Carl-Peter Forster is quitting in disgust at GM's decision to hang on to its European unit Opel/Vauxhall, Spiegel magazine reported Friday in its online edition.

GM executive vice president David Reilly would replace Forster, as GM seeks to soothe anger over its decision to abandon this week a sale of Opel to Canadian group Magna and Russian partner Sberbank, Spiegel said.

"I cannot comment," a spokesman for General Motors Europe and Opel told AFP, adding: "If there are any personnel decisions we will make a statement on it."

Forster was a keen supporter of Magna's bid.

On Thursday, GM chief executive Frederick "Fritz" Hendersen had told reporters in Detroit that he would pick a new management team for Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall within "days or weeks."

GM has decided to restructure Opel/Vauxhall itself, with the elimination of at least 10,000 jobs and possibly the closure of German factories, a move that has sparked widespread anger in Germany.

Germany is home to around 25,000 Opel workers, roughly half of GM Europe's total workforce, and the government had lobbied hard for Magna's bid in hopes of keeping all the German plants running.

Berlin had promised 4.5 billion euros (6.6 bilion dollars) in state aid to Magna, angering other European countries where the loss-making Opel has workers because of fears they would bear the brunt of badly needed restructuring,.

GM is now expected to seek aid from Germany and other European countries to carry out a three-billion-euro revamp. A German government spokesman said Friday he expected GM to provide details of its plans next week.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle has called GM's behaviour "totally unacceptable" while North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Juergen Ruettgers said the move showed "the ugly face of turbo-capitalism."

Hendersen acknowledged that "we have some fence-mending and repair that needs to be done."

Spiegel said Reilly, who is British, brought with him Asian experience with GM's Chevrolet brand, which has increased sales in Europe as Opel has lost market share, calling the mooted nomination "a new provocation for Opel."

Reilly is considered a specialist in restructuring, and could make life difficult for workers at European plants, the magazine added.

Reilly, who has been based in Shanghai, also has experience at British Vauxhall plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port, two sites that welcomed the GM decision cautiously in hopes they might fare better than under Magna's ownership.

Just before GM made its announcement on Tuesday, Forster still appeared to believe the deal with Magna would go through, while saying it might take longer than expected.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/09110...gm_opel_reilly ]]> neshapop http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-europe-head-quits-following-opel-u-turn-85878/ 2010 European Car of the Year Nominees Announced: Astra Makes The Cut http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/2010-european-car-year-nominees-announced-astra-makes-cut-85854/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:32:14 GMT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autoblog

You'd expect the European Car of the Year contest to be stacked mainly with European cars, of course, if not cars from around the world that are sold in Europe. But this year, the fight is being waged almost exclusively between European cars that we don't even get on this side of the Atlantic.

The candidates for the 2010 awards were announced back in June, but that's basically just a list of eligible vehicles. Now the panel of automotive journalists from across the old continent have picked their seven nominees among from which the final winner will be selected. Those up for the prize are the Citroen C3 Picasso, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen Polo. The iQ is the only non-European product on stage, and the Mercedes the only car among the finalists even currently available in the North American market. That's definitely a bummer, but even without us, we expect the winner to be announced by the end of the month.

Autoblog

CaroftheYear.org ]]> TuffG929 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/2010-european-car-year-nominees-announced-astra-makes-cut-85854/ First major award for the new Opel Astra http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/first-major-award-new-opel-astra-85853/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:34:21 GMT Source: Opel Media International (http://media.opel.com/content/media/intl/en/news/news_detail.brand_opel.html/content/Pages/news/intl/en/2009/OPEL/11_04_Astra_Award) *New Opel Astra wins the Golden Steering Wheel award 2009* November 04, 2009 Rüsselsheim/Berlin. European car buffs have handed the Opel Astra its first major trophy last night in Berlin, winning the Goldene Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) in the compact class. It is the most prestigious award issued by the Axel Springer Group’s Auto Bild magazines. This year’s election involved readers in 26 European countries, representing more than 40 million readers overall. The New Opel Astra won by a comfortable margin, getting top marks in the engine, energy consumption, chassis, braking, steering and safety relevant driver assistance categories. Motor sport drivers and technical experts ranked the Astra number one. The racers gave the Astra seven out of eight points. Technical experts awarded the compact car five out of eight. “Astra is following the footsteps of the Opel Insignia as a winning car. We are very excited to receive this award before the 10th generation of Opel compact cars even hits showrooms,” says Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Adam Opel GmbH. The new Astra 5-door, launched earlier this year at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand’s award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision along with an array of technological innovations first featured on the Insignia. The Golden Steering Wheel election is organized in two phases. In the first round, European readers voted for their favorite vehicles, selecting 46 vehicles in six categories (small, compact, mi-upper, luxury, supersport and vans). Next, a panel of 50 experts including technicians, race drivers, chief editors and VIPs tested and judged the nominees on dynamics, comfort and quality. In addition to a number of German celebrities, racing drivers also participated in the vote, including two-time World Rally Champions Walter Röhrl and Isolde Holderied, DTM pilots Mattias Ekström and Ralf Schumacher; German legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and Swiss star driver Christina Surer. Opel has won the Golden Steering award on 12 occasions in the 33 years the election has been held. The Opel Zafira was the last winner in 2005. Image: http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7158/astra2st.jpg Source: Opel Media International

New Opel Astra wins the Golden Steering Wheel award 2009
November 04, 2009

Rüsselsheim/Berlin. European car buffs have handed the Opel Astra its first major trophy last night in Berlin, winning the Goldene Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) in the compact class. It is the most prestigious award issued by the Axel Springer Group’s Auto Bild magazines. This year’s election involved readers in 26 European countries, representing more than 40 million readers overall.

The New Opel Astra won by a comfortable margin, getting top marks in the engine, energy consumption, chassis, braking, steering and safety relevant driver assistance categories. Motor sport drivers and technical experts ranked the Astra number one. The racers gave the Astra seven out of eight points. Technical experts awarded the compact car five out of eight.

“Astra is following the footsteps of the Opel Insignia as a winning car. We are very excited to receive this award before the 10th generation of Opel compact cars even hits showrooms,” says Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Adam Opel GmbH. The new Astra 5-door, launched earlier this year at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, brings into the compact class its own interpretation of the brand’s award-winning design language of combining sculptural artistry with German precision along with an array of technological innovations first featured on the Insignia.

The Golden Steering Wheel election is organized in two phases. In the first round, European readers voted for their favorite vehicles, selecting 46 vehicles in six categories (small, compact, mi-upper, luxury, supersport and vans). Next, a panel of 50 experts including technicians, race drivers, chief editors and VIPs tested and judged the nominees on dynamics, comfort and quality. In addition to a number of German celebrities, racing drivers also participated in the vote, including two-time World Rally Champions Walter Röhrl and Isolde Holderied, DTM pilots Mattias Ekström and Ralf Schumacher; German legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and Swiss star driver Christina Surer.

Opel has won the Golden Steering award on 12 occasions in the 33 years the election has been held. The Opel Zafira was the last winner in 2005.

]]> Toto http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/first-major-award-new-opel-astra-85853/ Reversal of fortunes sets back Moscow’s plans http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/reversal-fortunes-sets-back-moscow-s-plans-85845/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:37:45 GMT ---Quote--- *Reversal of fortunes sets back Moscow’s plans* By Catherine Belton Published: November 4 2009 23:30 | Last updated: November 4 2009 23:30 Russia’s bold gambit to build a partnership with Opel and win access to technology vital for transforming its battered car industry lay in tatters on Wednesday. Russia this year seized on the plans to sell GM’s European arm as a unique opportunity to gain access to much-needed technology for its outmoded car industry and rescue it from the brink of bankruptcy. Sitting on $200bn in oil windfall funds, for once Russia had the financial muscle to help fund the deal, as GM itself teetered towards bankruptcy. Magna meanwhile had pledged to help Opel grow out of the crisis by winning it entry to the Russian market. But GM’s sudden reversal as its own fortunes start to recover is a significant setback for Russia’s plans to build equity relationships with established international companies to help develop strategic industries, according to Chris Weafer, chief strategist at Uralsib investment bank. “Without this it is going to take a lot longer for the Russian industry to become as competitive as its international peer groups,” he said. The survival of the Russian car industry has been hanging in the balance for most of this year as the economic crisis ripped through demand and cut sales by half. Avtovaz, the country’s biggest carmaker, has already eaten up Rbs25bn ($800m) in government assistance and says it needs more to stave off bankruptcy and pay off Rbs47bn in short-term debts. Gaz, Russia’s second-biggest carmaker, owned by Oleg Deripaska, which had originally been seen as Magna’s industrial partner for producing Opel cars in Russia, has been in talks on restructuring about $1bn in debts for most of this year. One leading Russian politician lashed out GM’s U-turn as politically motivated. “It seems the motivation was very simple: to keep Opel within the political and economic sphere of influence of American business and American politics,” said Oleg Morozov, a senior member of United Russia, the Kremlin’s ruling party. Mr Putin’s spokesman said it was too early to claim the decision was political, but the Russian government would press ahead with plans to save the car industry. “We were of course interested in this deal and we had put a great deal of work into preparing for it. On the other hand, we have a programme for the support and restructuring of the car industry, which will be carried out.” ---End Quote--- Full text here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24c0d38e-c973-11de-a071-00144feabdc0.html

Quote:

Reversal of fortunes sets back Moscow’s plans
By Catherine Belton

Published: November 4 2009 23:30 | Last updated: November 4 2009 23:30

Russia’s bold gambit to build a partnership with Opel and win access to technology vital for transforming its battered car industry lay in tatters on Wednesday.

Russia this year seized on the plans to sell GM’s European arm as a unique opportunity to gain access to much-needed technology for its outmoded car industry and rescue it from the brink of bankruptcy.

Sitting on $200bn in oil windfall funds, for once Russia had the financial muscle to help fund the deal, as GM itself teetered towards bankruptcy. Magna meanwhile had pledged to help Opel grow out of the crisis by winning it entry to the Russian market.

But GM’s sudden reversal as its own fortunes start to recover is a significant setback for Russia’s plans to build equity relationships with established international companies to help develop strategic industries, according to Chris Weafer, chief strategist at Uralsib investment bank. “Without this it is going to take a lot longer for the Russian industry to become as competitive as its international peer groups,” he said.

The survival of the Russian car industry has been hanging in the balance for most of this year as the economic crisis ripped through demand and cut sales by half. Avtovaz, the country’s biggest carmaker, has already eaten up Rbs25bn ($800m) in government assistance and says it needs more to stave off bankruptcy and pay off Rbs47bn in short-term debts.

Gaz, Russia’s second-biggest carmaker, owned by Oleg Deripaska, which had originally been seen as Magna’s industrial partner for producing Opel cars in Russia, has been in talks on restructuring about $1bn in debts for most of this year.

One leading Russian politician lashed out GM’s U-turn as politically motivated. “It seems the motivation was very simple: to keep Opel within the political and economic sphere of influence of American business and American politics,” said Oleg Morozov, a senior member of United Russia, the Kremlin’s ruling party.

Mr Putin’s spokesman said it was too early to claim the decision was political, but the Russian government would press ahead with plans to save the car industry. “We were of course interested in this deal and we had put a great deal of work into preparing for it. On the other hand, we have a programme for the support and restructuring of the car industry, which will be carried out.”

Full text here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24c0d38e-c...44feabdc0.html ]]> Hurricane http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/reversal-fortunes-sets-back-moscow-s-plans-85845/ GM plans to cut 10,000 Opel jobs http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-plans-cut-10-000-opel-jobs-85828/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:36:28 GMT Looks like the Germans may get a little more angry... GM plans to cut 10,000 Opel jobs General Motors (GM) has confirmed that it plans to cut 10,000 jobs across its European car unit Opel, which includes the Vauxhall brand in the UK. The announcement comes a day after GM said it was cancelling its September agreement to sell Opel to Canadian car parts firm Magna. The planned 10,000 redundancies is broadly similar to the amount Magna had said it was aiming to cut. Unite, the main union at Vauxhall, said it had no immediate comment to make. Opel employs a total of 54,000 workers across Europe, with 25,000 based in Germany. In the UK, its Vauxhall brand employs 5,500 people across two plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port. Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8343517.stm Looks like the Germans may get a little more angry...

GM plans to cut 10,000 Opel jobs

General Motors (GM) has confirmed that it plans to cut 10,000 jobs across its European car unit Opel, which includes the Vauxhall brand in the UK.

The announcement comes a day after GM said it was cancelling its September agreement to sell Opel to Canadian car parts firm Magna.

The planned 10,000 redundancies is broadly similar to the amount Magna had said it was aiming to cut.

Unite, the main union at Vauxhall, said it had no immediate comment to make.

Opel employs a total of 54,000 workers across Europe, with 25,000 based in Germany.

In the UK, its Vauxhall brand employs 5,500 people across two plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port.

Link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8343517.stm ]]> killerrd2 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/gm-plans-cut-10-000-opel-jobs-85828/ A German view of the Opel-Magna debacle http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/german-view-opel-magna-debacle-85823/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:50:14 GMT From the German Spiegel Online site.
A Disgrace for the Populists

An Editorial by Severin Weiland
11-04-2009

Magna, Magna, Magna. German politicians became so transfixed on one solution in the crisis at Opel that they fell into the populism trap and lost touch with reality. Now the government in Berlin is being shown, painfully, that it can't force General Motors into a deal it doesn't want. The episode shows the German government faces in trying to save companies.

A wave of outrage is breaking across Germany. The news that General Motors has decided not, in the end, to sell Opel as planned has many giving voice to their indignation on Wednesday. The governer of the western German state of Hesse, where Opel's headquarters and largest plant is located, Roland Koch, said he was "deeply shocked" and "angry." His counterpart Kurt Beck, from neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate, also home to an Opel plant, spoke of an "impertinence." And Jürgen Rüttgers, governor of North Rhine-Westphalia -- befitting his current re-election campaign -- outdid them both, saying that the behavior of the US company shows "the ugly face of turbo-capitalism".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on Tuesday gave a well-received speech before a joint session of Congress, has so far held her tongue. The news reached Merkel just minutes before she was set to take off for her flight home -- her aides attempted to contact White House officials immediately.

A Black Eye for Merkel

The news is a debacle for Merkel. The chancellor has invested massive amounts of political capital in the attempt to save Opel, presenting herself and her government as the savior of German jobs. Merkel had her doubts about the wisdom of springing to Opel's aid, to be sure, but she kept them quiet, as is her wont.

When it became clear that Opel was to be sold to Magna, the Canadian-Austrian auto parts supplier and its Russian partner, then it was the chancellor herself who announced the news in a relaxed atmosphere in the Chancellery. And she even did something she never usually does -- she accepted personal responsibility for the success. "Patience, single-mindedness and clarity," had paid off, she said proudly.

For a brief moment Merkel was acting like the former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder -- and promptly ended up with a black eye. There is no way out of this for the mistress of wriggling around things. The failure of the Opel rescue plan is above all Merkel's failure.

And from the very beginning it looked highly unlikely that state intervention was going to succeed here. Everyone involved knew that. Opel is ailing. There is a massive oversupply of cars on the global market. Experts frowned and there were doubts in the Economics Ministry that state aid and selling off to another investor would be the right path. These doubts were expressed during that long night in May when then Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg of Bavaria's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) party called into play the possibility of a well-ordered insolvency. The politician, who was only new to his post, lost his nerve that very same night after the chancellor took him to task. The risks of an insolvency would be "politically irresponsible," Merkel concluded. However, it would most likely have been the most honest thing to do, and possibly the best thing for Opel."

More here: http://www.spiegel.de/international/...659317,00.html

]]> Toto http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/german-view-opel-magna-debacle-85823/ <![CDATA[German workers to strike, government to take back aid in response to GM's decision]]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f16/german-workers-strike-government-take-back-aid-response-gms-decision-85784/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:32:31 GMT German indignation over GM decision to keep Opel

**** Scroll down for an update by TuffG929 ****

Source: The Associated Press

BERLIN — Opel labor representatives called for work stoppages across Europe to protest General Motor Co.'s decision not to sell its European subsidiary, and Germany's government vowed to recover euro1.5 billion ($2.2 billion) it loaned GM to finance the sale.

Klaus Franz, Adam Opel GmbH's top employee representatives, said workers would walk out starting Thursday in brief, so-called "warning strikes" over GM's decision to call off a deal with Canadian parts maker Magna International Inc. and Russian lender Sberbank.

Opel's employee council on Tuesday said that European workers had agreed with Magna to offer cost-cutting contributions worth euro265 million a year. In Germany, workers had agreed to forego pay increases through 2011 and give up part of their traditional Christmas and summer bonuses.

The industrial union IG Metall also criticized GM's decision.

"This is an unbelievable action," Berthold Huber, the union's president, said. "Opel has been brought to this difficult situation, through years of mistakes by GM's management. Therefore, it's not likely that GM will be able to produce a viable solution" for Opel.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle, speaking to reporters ahead of a government meeting to discuss GM's decision to keep its European subsidiary, Adam Opel GmbH, and not sell a 55 percent stake to a Canadian-Russian consortium, said the money spent to encourage Opel's sale to the consortium would be recovered.

"We will get back taxpayers' money," he said Wednesday, referring to the bridge loan the government gave Opel last year to keep it afloat until Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc. and its partner Russian lender Sberbank could take it over.

"I expect (GM) to lay its restructuring plans on the table as quickly as possible," said Bruederle, who took over the post of economy minister last month, after Chancellor Angela Merkel's re-election.

*****

More from TuffG929

Germany Fumes Over General Motors Ditching Opel Sale to Magna

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detroit News

Berlin -- Germany's politicians fumed with anger and Opel workers canceled cost concessions and readied walkouts after General Motors Co. abandoned the sale of its European subsidiary to parts maker Magna International and Russian lender Sberbank.

Klaus Franz, Adam Opel GmbH's top employee representative, called it a "black day" and said workers would start brief work stoppages Thursday.

GM's decision Tuesday to abandon the deal was a sharp blow to government and labor officials who supported it as the restructuring option that would save the most jobs in Germany.

The German government had put up a euro1.5 billion ($2.2 million) bridge loan to keep Opel afloat as a buyer was sought, and promised euro4.5 billion in further financing so Magna International Inc. and Sberbank could take a 55 percent stake.

Magna had said it planned to cut about 10,500 of the 50,000 Opel jobs in Europe, with less than half the job cuts, or around 4,500, in Germany. It also said it would keep all four German plants open.

With the deal now off, German workers face the prospect of a restructuring that is less favorable to them...

Detroit News

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