Next generation Astra to be built in the U.S.; German production delayed

[HoosierRon]

U.S. production planned for next-generation Saturn Astra, German production delayed

Carl-Peter Forster, head of GM Europe, has confirmed that the start of production for the next-generation Opel Astra at the carmaker’s Bochum plant in Germany has been delayed until 2011. The factory at Bochum will be responsible for the wagon version of the Astra and is now scheduled to start building the cars nine months after production of the new model starts at the carmaker’s Ellesmere Port plant in the UK.

The Astra is sold under a variety of different brands in several markets, including Opel in Europe, Saturn in the U.S., Vauxhall in the UK and various other markets, Holden in Australia and Chevrolet in Latin America.

The new model is based around GM’s new Delta platform (the same platform used in the new Chevrolet Cruze global sedan) and will even be produced in the U.S. to take advantage of the low dollar, reports Auto Motor und Sport. The current Saturn Astra is sourced from Belgium.

[davidlane]

Does anyone know if this means it will be available in the US first?

[Ambalanche]

That's unlikely. If it's delayed in Germany, it will probably be delayed here at least that long. Maybe they can build it with the Cruze here in the same plant.

[davidlane]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

That's unlikely. If it's delayed in Germany, it will probably be delayed here at least that long. Maybe they can build it with the Cruze here in the same plant.

From the article it appears production in England is on schedule. Too much to hope that the US would get it first, or reasonably optioned (OPC). Your comment about building it in the same plant does make sense.

[Bravada]

Vauxhall in the UK and various other markets

WHAT other markets?????

As concerns the "news", they aren't that big. Basically, the wagon comes 9 months after the hatch. I think this was the case with the current Golf and Golf Variant (Jetta Sportwagen for the US). What is interesting is that they are keeping Ellesmere Port and give it an important product while closing Antwerp (where the current Astra comes).

[Uligar]

The production of the new Astra is on schedule.
Because there are a lot of Delta2 based Factories in Europe.
Ellesmere Port, Trollhattan, Gliwice, Bochum and new Rüsselsheim.
For the Germany Factories it will be delayed because Rüsselsheim is
new in Delta2 Production and Bochum is only Building the Station Wagon
and the Zafira. But Eisenach will be maybe a third option to build the
new Astra.

What is interesting is that they are keeping Ellesmere Port and give it an important product while closing Antwerp (where the current Astra comes).

England has a very important sales volume.

Maybe they can build it with the Cruze here in the same plant.

That could be an option for the new Saturn Astra.

[Bravada]

Well, if Ellesmere only builds RHD cars, that's understandable. Still, why close Antwerp and keep Ruesselsheim running with their awful quality record? Ruesselsheim Opels have always been dragging Opel's scores down. I'd keep only symbolic production there. Bochum is also only so-so in quality, of the German factories only Eisenach has something to boast about FWIK.

[Uligar]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Well, if Ellesmere only builds RHD cars, that's understandable. Still, why close Antwerp and keep Ruesselsheim running with their awful quality record? Ruesselsheim Opels have always been dragging Opel's scores down. I'd keep only symbolic production there. Bochum is also only so-so in quality, of the German factories only Eisenach has something to boast about FWIK.

Where did u get those Informations???

[Bravada]

Reliability rankings, technicians working with Opels. The Hungarian- and Polish-built Astra As were pretty much bulletproof, the Bochum ones - on the contrary. This was not a design fault, I am afraid, it was all about the actual assembly.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Bravada

WHAT other markets?????

Africa?

[Bravada]

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Reliability rankings, technicians working with Opels. The Hungarian- and Polish-built Astra As were pretty much bulletproof, the Bochum ones - on the contrary. This was not a design fault, I am afraid, it was all about the actual assembly.

What rating on the Belgium Astras?
Mine is still faultless & I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Well, if Ellesmere only builds RHD cars, that's understandable. Still, why close Antwerp and keep Ruesselsheim running with their awful quality record? Ruesselsheim Opels have always been dragging Opel's scores down. I'd keep only symbolic production there. Bochum is also only so-so in quality, of the German factories only Eisenach has something to boast about FWIK.

AFAIK even formerly 'British' areas such as Malta have Opels rather than Vauxhalls. Even next door neighbours Ireland (with Munster heritage I won't call them British...) have Opels.

So where do Vauxhalls sell?

[Bravada]

What rating on the Belgium Astras?
Mine is still faultless & I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

Are you sure yours is from Belgium rather than Ellesmere? I thought the reason to keep the UK factory going was to build RHD models, just like VW in South Africa - they send VW Golfs even to the UK.

Anyhoo, Belgium has solid reliability record, FWIK, which is why I was surprised to hear they are closing the plant.

So where do Vauxhalls sell?

Gibraltar!

(j/k)

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Are you sure yours is from Belgium rather than Ellesmere? I thought the reason to keep the UK factory going was to build RHD models, just like VW in South Africa - they send VW Golfs even to the UK.

Anyhoo, Belgium has solid reliability record, FWIK, which is why I was surprised to hear they are closing the plant.

Yep, it is a Belgiumese car.

Gibraltar!

Rock on!