Should GM Retain Opel?

[JoeT]

It now seems that GM has decides to keep Opel, it's European arm for the last 80 years.

What do you think. Should GM retain Opel?

[91 s-10baja]

yes w/o question. Just one bright spot in their small arsenal of bright spots

[FenwickHockey65]

Of course.

[GmFordFTW]

I believe retaining Opel is absolutely necessary for GM's survival in Europe

[AMERICA 123]

Ditto with regard to all the points above.

[Koasterking]

I feel like this is a trick question...

[Canuck]

It would be interesting to read why anyone thinks GM should not retain Opel.

[mattyman1010]

Who on earth voted No?!
Glad to see that the Jewel in GM Crown is to be retained.

[Dr. Show-Me]

I voted unsure.
While in France last week, I spoke with a gentleman from Frankfort, Germany about the whole situation. Although he isn't in the auto industry, I took his opinions as a German "everyman" who had a very low opinion of Opel. He said that Opel had a reputation for being low quality, but slightly better than the Russian cars, about on a par with the Chevrolets being brought in from S. Korea. His opinion sounded like he considered the whole Opel operation as being worse than Chrysler or American Motors.
While I understand the emotion of keeping Opel, and the importance of the engineering and IP, keeping a poorly received, money-losing entity smacks of more of the same that GM had prior to bk, only European style.
I wish Americans realize the distain many European have toward America, with many mentioning George Bush, the poorly managed American car companies, Wall Street's part in the financial meltdown, and a general feeling of superiority to Americans.
Perhaps we should become an auto exporting country as a national policy, similar to Germany (Jpan, S. Korea, China and others) , who leads the world in auto export. We absolutely should be supporting our own American companies. Maybe then they wouldn't be laughing at the foolish Americans.

[Simon says]

I voted NO. They should keep it if only if they can afford it with their own money. While on Federal funds they should concentrate of AMERICAN operations, IMO. Looks like the old GM is alive and well.

This move may prove disastrous.

[Bravada]

Although he isn't in the auto industry, I took his opinions as a German "everyman" who had a very low opinion of Opel.

Wrongly. In every country you'll find people who'll say this or that brand are junk. If the German public had that idea of Opel, why would they buy 271K of them in 2009? Opels are very popular in Germany, as a domestic brand, with fanclubs and devotees. Sure they've had a lapse in quality in the 1990s, which cost them in reputation, but then a lot of automakers did (Mercedes more recently). Some people will continue to tell you that Opels are junk, but the fact is that the even by-default-VW-loving German press is giving the Astra top marks over Golf (historically unheard of!)