GM decides to keep Opel

[aurakr]

Did anyone else read that GM decided to keep Opel today, 11/03/09?

If so, does this mean that there might be a sliver of hope that Penske can talk to Opel about producing Saturns? Probably not, but what do you think?

[RoadIon]

Yep read it right here on SaturnFans

posted here: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=146489




and right here: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=146486

[SaturnRaycer]

Originally Posted by aurakr

Did anyone else read that GM decided to keep Opel today, 11/03/09?

If so, does this mean that there might be a sliver of hope that Penske can talk to Opel about producing Saturns? Probably not, but what do you think?

That's good news, but at this point, Penske and GM have given up. If Penske sells Opels in the US as Saturns, it will be as a competitor to GM - not something they want.

I could see Opel being partnered with an existing GM brand. The most likely candidate would be Buick, given the history of Buick and Opel during the 1950's and 1960's.

Another scenario would be sourcing various Chevrolet and Buick models from Opel. The down side to all this is the unfavorable relationship of the USD to the Euro.

[RoadIon]

Saturn/OPEL/Penske not going to happen

[Phaeton Driver]

I read a few months ago that GM signed a deal with Canada saying that they would not import Opels into the US. It would only import them into Canada.

I was quite disappointed in that decision because I really like the Insignia Sport Tourer. I was hoping that Buick might rebadge the Insignia but with the agreement with Canada, that is not going to happen.
This agreement might be why Penskee backed out. The best of what the new Saturn had, came from Opel/Vauxhall.

I think the decision not to import Opels into the US is another BIG mistake by GM management.

Fords are looking better and better every day...

[orton]

Originally Posted by Phaeton Driver

I read a few months ago that GM signed a deal with Canada saying that they would not import Opels into the US. It would only import them into Canada.

I was quite disappointed in that decision because I really like the Insignia Sport Tourer. I was hoping that Buick might rebadge the Insignia but with the agreement with Canada, that is not going to happen.
This agreement might be why Penskee backed out. The best of what the new Saturn had, came from Opel/Vauxhall.

I think the decision not to import Opels into the US is another BIG mistake by GM management.

Fords are looking better and better every day...

I agree, but isn't the Ford Fusion manufactured in Mexico?

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by Phaeton Driver

I read a few months ago that GM signed a deal with Canada saying that they would not import Opels into the US. It would only import them into Canada.

I was quite disappointed in that decision because I really like the Insignia Sport Tourer. I was hoping that Buick might rebadge the Insignia but with the agreement with Canada, that is not going to happen.
This agreement might be why Penskee backed out. The best of what the new Saturn had, came from Opel/Vauxhall.

I think the decision not to import Opels into the US is another BIG mistake by GM management.

Fords are looking better and better every day...

What?...

Officially Official: Regal named next mid-size sedan for Buick

NA-spec Buick Regal gets posted on Facebook

VIDEO: Buick Regal sneak peek shows face we already know

We know why Penske backed out - because the company that was to supply cars for Saturn (Renault) backed out.

[Chevy_Rules]

As CDP already posted, the reason why they did not want Opel in the US is because it would be competing against the Buick based Opel's( namely Insignia/Regal) since GM would still own the IP rights to the Insignia's design( since GM Europe did the engineering work and not Opel).

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by Chevy_Rules

As CDP already posted, the reason why they did not want Opel in the US is because it would be competing against the Buick based Opel's( namely Insignia/Regal) since GM would still own the IP rights to the Insignia's design( since GM Europe did the engineering work and not Opel).

Are you saying that Buick is going to have a rebadged Opel Insignia?
The regal is still on the Epsilon chassis which is Aura/Malibu.
The Insignia is a bit larger than the Malibu so it should be larger than the Regal which is about 7 inches shorter than the LaCross (Epsilon), or did I miss something?

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by Phaeton Driver

Are you saying that Buick is going to have a rebadged Opel Insignia?
The regal is still on the Epsilon chassis which is Aura/Malibu.
The Insignia is a bit larger than the Malibu so it should be larger than the Regal which is about 7 inches shorter than the LaCross (Epsilon), or did I miss something?

I think you did, no offense meant - this GMI page should help explain it. The Regal is the Insignia.

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by cdp326

I think you did, no offense meant - this GMI page should help explain it. The Regal is the Insignia.

That site clears it all up, BIG THANK YOU for that.
One Buick site that had some specks on the Ragal had the dimensions almost exactly the same as the Malibu. That was about 5 months ago.
Another posting said that GM was NOT going to bring any Opels to North america as it was selling Opel to a German consortium. That is when we thought that Penskee might be able to work out a deal with Opel because GM would not have control any more.
Things change...
I hope that Buick decides to build the Opel Insignia SPORT Tourer as that would be the perfect car for our needs.

[oachalon]

Yep,

They are correct. The new buick regal is the opel insignia.

Phaeton, there are rumors that gm might offer the Regal GS with AWD and possibly a 280-300hp DI 3.6. Some say it might get the 325hp version, but chances are slim.

The new buick is going to be getting a lot of buick china/opel designs here.

[RoadIon]

Maybe the next ION sized car to come will be the Buick Beagle.

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by RoadIon

Maybe the next ION sized car to come will be the Buick Beagle.

Was that supposed to be funny?

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by Phaeton Driver

That site clears it all up, BIG THANK YOU for that.
One Buick site that had some specks on the Ragal had the dimensions almost exactly the same as the Malibu. That was about 5 months ago.
Another posting said that GM was NOT going to bring any Opels to North america as it was selling Opel to a German consortium. That is when we thought that Penskee might be able to work out a deal with Opel because GM would not have control any more.
Things change...
I hope that Buick decides to build the Opel Insignia SPORT Tourer as that would be the perfect car for our needs.

You are welcome, I noticed you seemed to like it enough to join.

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by cdp326

You are welcome, I noticed you seemed to like it enough to join.

Thanks, It looks like a good active forum with intelligent people out to trade knowledge and information rather than blowing smoke about how great they are or awesome their moderately customized sedan is and someone else's is crap.

See ya there too