GM Europe to Invest Euro 9 Billion in Opel

[sondien]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080502....illion-in-opel

very interesting article. pretty cool that gm is investing into opel. i wonder if this could translate into saturns.

[give_it_all_]

20 new models by 2012! I can't wait to see what they come up with! Probably mostly very small cars would be my guess, but still

[civilzues]

they did say by 2014 saturn and opel will be the same, expect for bumpers and badges.

[Bravada]

20 new models by 2012! I can't wait to see what they come up with! Probably mostly very small cars would be my guess, but still

By 2012, Opel will have to have replaced:

1. Corsa
2. Meriva
3. Astra
4. Zafira
5. Combo (gosh, they should've AGES ago!)
6. Tigra
7. Vivaro (development work on Renault's side though)
8. Movano (see above)

The Astra, for one, comes in five body styles, all of which can be seen as "models" in GM marketing-speak. So, the 20 "new cars" are perfectly imaginable to me. Ooooh, add hybrid models for just the main lineup and you can easily field half a dozen "new models" in a jiffy!

[tgagneguam]

Investing in new products is a good thing. Having that translate into market share gains-sacrilege to cheer on this site, I know-is even better.

And if GM wants to ensure that they leverage those investments as best they can, boosting production by sending many of those new Opels State-side is a great way of achieving that goal!

[Hurricane]

Definitely good news if it means better product!

[give_it_all_]

Originally Posted by Bravada

The Astra, for one, comes in five body styles, all of which can be seen as "models" in GM marketing-speak. So, the 20 "new cars" are perfectly imaginable to me. Ooooh, add hybrid models for just the main lineup and you can easily field half a dozen "new models" in a jiffy!

Good point, I forgot about GM's marketing bull****

[prototype66]

That is fantastic news for GM as a whole. The Saturn brand will surely flourish with the constant influx of technology and new models. I really got excitied reading this article! You know Eflex is going to be huge! I'm saving up as we speak!

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by sondien

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080502....illion-in-opel

very interesting article. pretty cool that gm is investing into opel. i wonder if this could translate into saturns.

Yup.

[dav305z]

This is where the Saturn/Opel sharing pays off. GM can invest more than they ever would have in Saturn or Opel alone and still save. The result is better cars for both of them.

[Ambalanche]

This will be good if they actually advertise the cars! I have yet to see one Astra ad on TV. It's no wonder they aren't selling.

[CobaltSScrazy]

thats cool, lets see an LNF in an updated ASTRA getting 23-33mpg

!!!

CobaltSS

[gardnet1]

Nice to leverage the precious investment dollars across the Vauxhall/Saturn/Opel nameplates. Add in a little Daewoo/Chevy, Daewoo/Holden/Pontiac and Buick East meets Buick West coops and it will be a lot easier for GM to keep a fresher more up to date lineup. GM is now starting to exploit their mass and that will make all the difference in the world.

GM needs to consider matching Fords stated goal of significantly updating models every 3 years. No word on when this goal will include the Panther lineup/E-Series and Ranger in those updates.

[throwback]

Originally Posted by prototype66

That is fantastic news for GM as a whole. The Saturn brand will surely flourish with the constant influx of technology and new models. I really got excitied reading this article! You know Eflex is going to be huge! I'm saving up as we speak!

Alas, only if GM has the money to advertise the cars. I am still waiting to see my first Astra ad on TV.

[prototype66]

Ahh but that is where this will assisty GM in saving NA capital not having to invest inR and D . This should free up some ad revinue.