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Opel/Vauxhall

53 articles in this category

  1. William Maley ·
    Opel is undergoing a major product overhaul as it begins to transition over from General Motors architectures to PSA Group. Some products will not make the change, however. Yesterday, Opel announced that the Adam city car, Cascada convertible, and the KARL city car will end production at the end of 2019. The company blames new emission rules for the canceling of these models, but some suspect the low-margin on these vehicles is what ultimately led to their demise. "In order to contribute
    • Unclear as to what will happen with the Buick Cascada

    • 4 comments
    • 2,181 views
  2. William Maley ·
    Opel has unveiled their first concept car since coming under the ownership of PSA Group. Called the GT X Experimental, the concept gives us an idea of what direction Opel/Vauxhall's styling will take. The compact crossover shares an obvious similarity to a previous Opel concept, the GT Coupe in terms of overall shape and the colorful line running the length of the roof. A key trait to the concept's design is the "Vizor" up front. Resembling the visor on a motorcycle helmet, the area hous
    • What does the future hold for Opel and Vauxhall? A new concept gives a possible clue.

    • 3 comments
    • 2,018 views
  3. William Maley ·
    Ever since PSA Group took ownership of Opel and Vauxhall back in spring, many were wondering what the French automaker had in store. Today at a press conference at Opel's headquarters, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller unveiled the turnaround called PACE. Here is a summary of PACE, Return Opel and Vauxhall to profit by 2020 Lowering costs on each car built by €700 (about $813) Committed to keeping Vauxhall as a brand for Great Britain Entering 20 new markets by 2022, with
    • Can PACE give Opel and Vauxhall a shot in the arm?

    • 2 comments
    • 2,165 views
  4. William Maley ·
    On Thursday, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller will be presenting a new restructuring plan for its future under the PSA Group umbrella. Thanks a report from German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, we have some idea of what this plan entails. According to the paper, Opel will be cutting down on the models it offers and begin to focus on high-margin segments. The brand will also be tasked with developing technology for partial and complete electrification of all PSA Group models. To pull
    • What to expect from Opel's upcoming press conference

    • 12 comments
    • 2,176 views
  5. William Maley ·
    Opel and Vauxhall are currently in the process of working on a new business plan for their new owner, PSA Group. Already, it seems one project has been suspended.  Auto Express has learned from sources that plans for a flagship SUV have been shelved for the time being. Possibly named Monza, the model would use the Insignia platform and be around the size of a Ford Edge. It seems PSA Group is putting a freeze on various projects that are related in some form to Opel/Vauxhall's former owner,
    • It appears one of Opel/Vauxhall's planned vehicles has been put on hold

    • 4 comments
    • 1,602 views
  6. William Maley ·
    General Motors and PSA Group completed the sale of Opel/Vauxhall yesterday, effectively ending the era of GM’s European division.  “It is a historic day. We are proud to join Groupe PSA and are now opening a new chapter in our history after 88 years with General Motors. We will continue our path of making technology `made in Germany´ available to everyone. The combination of our strengths will enable us to turn Opel and Vauxhall into a profitable and self-funded business. We have set ourselv
    • And that's a wrap

    • 6 comments
    • 1,601 views
  7. William Maley ·
    Today, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann has announced that he will be stepping down as Opel CEO, confirming various reports that came out over the weekend. His replacement is Opel's current chief financial officer, Michael Lohscheller effective immediately.  "It was a difficult personal decision to not continue with the Opel/Vauxhall team when it transitions to Groupe PSA. I am proud of the team for all we have accomplished so far and have no doubt that the move to PSA will make Opel/Vauxhall an even
    • Opel's current CEO steps down

    • 2 comments
    • 1,508 views
  8. William Maley ·
    If General Motors and PSA Group were hoping to have a smooth sale of Opel, they were dashed this week. Both Automobilwoche and German newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung report Opel's work council and German labor union IG Metall have some specific demands for workers at Opel's development center in Rüsselsheim. The two parties want a guarantee that 7,700 workers will keep their jobs at the center and that continue performing work for GM until 2020 - which could account for 30 percent of the devel
    • And the process of selling Opel has hit a roadblock

    • 7 comments
    • 1,559 views
  9. William Maley ·
    One of the big questions facing the sale of Opel to PSA Group is what will happen in the future. Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann spilled some of the beans in an interview with German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. Neumann will remain the CEO of Opel, but tells the magazine that he will work closely with PSA's CEO Carlos Tavares. "It is important for me to stand before employees and show leadership. I have done this in the past and will continue to do so," said Neumann. "I think we ha
    • Opel's CEO talks about what's in store for the future

    • 4 comments
    • 5,011 views
  10. William Maley ·
    It is now official. This morning, PSA Group has agreed to buy Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors for 2.2 billion euros (about $2.3 billion). The deal is comprised of a 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion) payment for Opel and Vauxhall, along with a stake in Opel's financing arm. This makes PSA Group the second-largest automaker in Europe. “It gives us the opportunity to become a real European champion. Our plan is to build a common future for Opel and Vauxhall and fix the existing issues,” sa
    • Opel and Vauxhall say goodbye to GM and hello to PSA Group

    • 4 comments
    • 2,425 views
  11. William Maley ·
    Only a few weeks after first learning about the talks between General Motors and PSA Group on the possible purchase of Opel/Vauxhall, Reuters reports that a deal has been reached. This afternoon, two sources told the news service the board of PSA Group approved the deal. An announcement about the purchase is expected on Monday. Also, Opel cut short a town hall meeting today at their headquarters in Ruesselsheim, Germany due to management being unable to discuss details about the potential a
    • Rumor has it that a deal has been reached by PSA and GM on Opel

    • 14 comments
    • 2,015 views
  12. William Maley ·
    As Opel and Vauxhall get ready to introduce the all-new Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer for Geneva, a new set of spy shots reveals Opel is working on the next member of the Insignia family, the new Country Tourer. The mule seen in the photos obtained by Motor1 and The Truth About Cars reveal some noticeable changes from the standard Sports Tourer. First off, there are new bumpers and plastic body cladding to give it a more rugged look. It also appears the ride height has been raised,
    • Are you the long-rumored Buick Regal Tourx?

    • 1 comment
    • 1,487 views
  13. William Maley ·
    How much is Opel worth? According to Bloomberg, the valuation being discussed by General Motors and PSA Group puts it around $2 billion dollars. According to sources, the total comprises about $1 billion in cash and about $1 billion in liabilities. The amount could change as two are still assessing a number of items such as the value of brand rights and savings potential. The sources also the framework for PSA to buy Opel could be finished by Thursday. This would be the same day when PSA Gr
    • Its how much?!

    • 8 comments
    • 1,605 views
  14. William Maley ·
    As General Motors and PSA Group continue their discussions (and damage control) on the possible sale of Opel/Vauxhall, a secret plan being developed by Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann has been put on the back burner for the time being. German magazine manager magazin reports that Neumann had been working on a plan that would see Opel transition to selling electric vehicles only in an effort to ensure the brand's survival. GM Europe has been losing money for the past 15 years. In 2016, the bran
    • Opel's CEO had a plan to make the brand electric only

    • 11 comments
    • 2,494 views
  15. William Maley ·
    Yesterday, news broke that General Motors and PSA Group (owner of Peugeot and Citroen) were in discussions on possibly selling Opel and Vauxhall. Already, the possible sale is under intense scrutiny from various European governments and unions. There are concerns about jobs being cut with this deal, and none are too happy that officials from local governments and unions were not included in the talks. There is also the possibility of political backlash coming to Germany and France as both will b
    • Activate damage control!

    • 3 comments
    • 1,515 views
  16. William Maley ·
    PSA Group is in discussions with General Motors on various strategic initiatives, including the possibility of acquiring Opel/Vauxhall. The news was first broke by Bloomberg and Reuters early this morning as sources revealed the two were in talks about swapping the ownership of Opel. Since then, a spokesman for PSA Group confirmed the talks. The maker of Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars is "exploring a number of strategic initiatives with GM with the aim of increasing its profitability and oper
    • Please do not adjust your monitor

    • 67 comments
    • 4,669 views
  17. William Maley ·
    Previous Page Next Page It was a couple of months ago that Opel/Vauxhall/Holden unveiled the brand new Insignia Grand Sport/Commodore to the world. Today, the three automakers revealed the sister model, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon. Basically, the Insignia Sports Tourer/Commodore Sportwagon follows the same the design as the Grand Sport/Commodore albeit with a longer roofline. This allows for an increase in cargo space with 520 liters (about
    • Coming soon: The wagon variant of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport and Holden Commodore

    • 4 comments
    • 1,540 views
  18. William Maley ·
    Previous Page Next Page Just a day after a set of spy shots revealed the next-generation Opel and Vauxhall Insignia, Vauxhall has unveiled the 2017 Insignia Grand Sport. Meanwhile, Holden has pulled the wraps of the 2018 Commodore. The Insignia/Commodore borrows a lot of cues from the 2013 Monza concept with a lowered grille, distinct sculpting along the side, and shorter overhangs. This new shape is more aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of 0.26. Even thoug
    • Also known as the 2018 Buick Regal

    • 31 comments
    • 3,450 views
  19. William Maley ·
    It has been a long time coming. But we knew sooner or later, we would get our first glimpse at the upcoming Opel/Vauxhall Insignia (also Buick Regal and Holden Commodore) minus the camo. That day has finally arrived as the Insignia sedan and Sport Tourer have been caught uncovered.  The front end reminds us a lot of the current Mazda6 - a flat nose with a pentagonal grille and slim headlights. Along the side, there has been some sculpting along the lower part of the doors that add some shar
    • Damn! The next-generation Insignia (Buick Regal to us) is looking quite sharp

    • 11 comments
    • 1,587 views
  20. William Maley ·
    Usually, we don't report on wagons in our spying reports because there are no chances they are coming to the U.S. But with the recent rumors of the next-generation Buick Regal possibly getting a wagon variant. we tend to pay attention. Which brings us nicely to a set of spy photos of the 2017 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer. Compared to the current Sports Tourer, the new one shown in these pictures looks to be slightly longer and wider. Up front, the nose looks to be more upright and t
    • Opel/Vauxhall's Insignia Sports Tourer is caught on camera. Could this be coming to the U.S. as a Buick?

    • 1 comment
    • 1,399 views
  21. William Maley ·
    Previous Page Next Page GM's European division is giving electrics another try. Next month at the Paris Motor Show, Opel and Vauxhall will unveil the Ampera-e. Yes, this is a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.  Opel is keeping a lot of details close to their chest before Paris. But they did reveal some details about the Ampera-e's powertrain. The electric motor will produce 150 kW/201 horsepower. The top speed is around 150 km/h (about 93 mph). 
    • From U.S. with love

    • 13 comments
    • 1,848 views
  22. William Maley ·
    It seems a week can't go by without another automaker being embroiled in either a fuel economy or emission mess. This week, the German Government has requested Opel to provide more information on a piece of software that turns off the emission controls in the Zafira. The issue at hand is whether or not this software violates regulations.   "Shut-off devices are fundamentally illegal, unless it is truly necessary to safeguard the engine," said Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's transport minister af
    • Opel is currently in hot water with the German Government over software that can turn off the emission controls

    • 12 comments
    • 2,867 views
  23. William Maley ·
    The Vauxhall Astra was the final 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' before the whole Jeremy Clarkson 'fracas' imploded the show. Now you have the chance to own this vehicle.   Vauxhall put the vehicle up for sale this week on eBay, describing the model as a 1.5L TechLine hatchback with 115 horsepower. The Astra is fitted with a full roll cage along with two Corbeau Sprint Racing seats and five-point safety harnesses. It should be noted the airbags are disabled due to the rollcage. Mileage is li
    • For Sale: Vauxhall Astra, Low Mileage, Has Racing Seats and Rollcage

    • 2 comments
    • 1,938 views
  24. William Maley ·
    When information first broke out that Volkswagen was using illegal software to fool emission testing equipment on their diesel vehicles, questions arose of whether or not other automakers are doing the same thing.   Belgian news site VRT News alleges that Opel is secretly updating the emission control software in the Zafira 1.6 diesel by saying it's only a software update. This vehicle has been the target of various environmental groups as being one of the dirtiest vehicles.   VRT News teste
    • Belgian News Site Says Opel Is Quietly Updating Software to Improve Emissions

    • 2 comments
    • 2,198 views
  25. William Maley ·
    The next-generation Opel Insignia has been caught for the first time as it ventures out into the real world. We only tell so much from the spy shots since Opel has done a decent job of fitting a fair amount of camouflage to the vehicle. But there is one element we can pull out of the shots. It seems Opel has taken a liking to the Audi A7's styling that they are copying the distinctive roofline for the Insignia.   Along with the A7 inspired roofline, Opel is adding around four inches to the ove
    • The Next-Generation Opel Insignia Does Its Best Audi A7 Impression

    • 1 comment
    • 2,550 views
  26. Drew Dowdell ·
    Just days after a similar Android Auto and Apple CarPlay announcement from Chevrolet, Opel has announced it will be releasing the two smart phone integration systems across it's small and mid-size car lineup.   Starting with the next generation Opel Astra, which will be shown in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the integration will debut on Opel's R 4.0 IntelliLink system while the Touch R 700 and Navi 900 systems gaining the functions later in 2016. The first systems will be available s
    • Opel getting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across its lineup gives us hope that Buick, GMC, and Cadillac announcements will come soon.

    • 0 comments
    • 3,171 views
  27. William Maley ·
    Earlier this week, we reported on the rumor that the Opel Ampera was to go away once the next-generation Chevrolet Volt was introduced. Well it seems to be true. Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann tweeted that the Ampera is on its way out. But another electric vehicle will take it place in the future. "After the eventual run-out of the current generation Ampera, we'll introduce a successor product in the electric vehicle segment. Our next electric vehicle will be part of our massive product offensive
    • Opel CEO Says Ampera Is Heading Out, But A New EV Will Take Its Place

    • 6 comments
    • 3,073 views
  28. William Maley ·
    While the Chevrolet Volt has been doing ok in sales chart (ranging from 1,478 to 1,777 units since March), the same cannot be said for the Opel Ampera. When it launched in 2012 and took home the European Car Of The Year award, the model sold 5,200 units. But since then, the Ampera has been sinking like a rock. In 2013, dealers only moved 3,184 units, a massive drop of 40 percent. 2014 only looks to be worse as Opel has only sold 332 units through the end of May. Automotive News Europe reports t
    • Farewell Opel Ampera?!

    • 15 comments
    • 4,932 views
  29. William Maley ·
    Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann told reporters at a briefing that he confident the automaker will return to profit by 2016, and become the number two in the European passenger car market by 2022. A bit ambitious to say in the least. How does Opel plan on doing this? Well the automaker has been working on hard on cutting losses by improving the utilisation of plants, increasing sales revenue, closing one of their plants, and cutting costs on product and structural items. "I have a lot of confidence
    • Opel Has Big Plans To Get Back To Profitability

    • 3 comments
    • 3,285 views
  30. William Maley ·
    General Motors' troubled brand, Opel announced some major changes this past week. For starters, the company announced that it would be pulling out of China in January of 2015. The German marque said poor sales was the major reason as to the brand's departure. In 2013, Opel only sold 4,365 vehicles through twenty-two dealers. That pales in comparison to Buick which moved 810,000 vehicles through 650 dealers. "This is a long overdue decision. It would have cost hundreds of millions of euros to ra
    • Changes Afoot At Opel

    • 3 comments
    • 2,849 views
  31. William Maley ·
    Opel and Vauxhall are bringing the heat to the sport compact market with the introduction of the Astra OPC Extreme (or VXR Extreme). The two say this is the fastest Astra ever built and looking at the spec sheet, we have to agree. The Astra OPC/VXR Extreme comes with a 2.0L turbo-four producing 300 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Opel and Vauxhall are keeping performance figures a secret, but expect it to be quicker than the st
    • EXTREME! Meet The Meanest Astra EVER!

    • 16 comments
    • 6,274 views
  32. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 21, 2013 Opel pulled the veil back on the Monza concept before its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month and its something different to say in the least. The design is a mashup of coupe and wagon with large gullwing doors and very sleek lines. Opel says the Monza's design will influence future models such as the next-generation Astra and Insignia. Also, the Monza is huge. The overall length is 15.38 feet. Opel has tried i
    • 4 comments
    • 3,230 views
  33. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 8, 2013 Alongside the new Insignia Country Tourer, Opel will also be showing off a new concept car at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Opel Monza Concept pays homage to the Monza coupe of the eighties and signals what's in store for the designs of the next-generation models from Opel and Vauxhall. The Monza's design borrows some ideas from luxury brands with a low stance, heavily sculpted hood, and a set of small headlights. In addition
    • 11 comments
    • 7,896 views
  34. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 3, 2013 Ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Vauxhall has revealed the new Insignia Country Tourer. The Insignia Country Tourer borrows the same recipe used by Subaru and Audi that takes a wagon and raises the ride height, adds an all-wheel drive system, and gives the exterior a more butch appearance. The Insignia Country Tourer starts with a fair amount of body cladding and increased ground clearance of 0.79 inches. Under the
    • 8 comments
    • 4,365 views
  35. William Maley ·
    By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com April 11, 2013 Yesterday, General Motors announced a $5.2 billion investment for Opel between now and 2016. This is part of a larger effort to nurture Opel back into health. “As a global automotive company, GM needs a strong presence in Europe – both in design and development as in manufacturing and sales. Opel is key to our success and enjoys the full support of its parent company,” said General Motors CEO Dan Akerson in a statement. This
    • 6 comments
    • 3,338 views
  36. William Maley ·
    By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 4, 2013 Opel's interim CEO Thomas Sedran made some interesting comments concerning the Insignia replacement. “We will draw on developments from within the parent company for the Insignia replacement. This provides us with the advantage of being able to use technology from GM that is also earmarked for Cadillac,” said Sedran. This has lead Autocar to make the assumption that the Insignia replacement will have a sister car in the for
    • 20 comments
    • 5,883 views
  37. William Maley ·
    By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 16, 2013 Back in November, we reported that Opel was considering doing a high-performance OPC version of the new Adam. The Adam OPC was rumored to use a 1.4L turbocharged-four producing 180 HP and have a six-speed manual, and some other tweaks. This past week, Auto Express learned from a source that the rumored Adam OPC/VXR would use the 1.6L turbocharged-four from the Corsa VXR Nurburgring edition producing 202 horsepower. A product
    • 9 comments
    • 4,299 views
  38. William Maley ·
    By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 11, 2013 At the unveiling of the first production model of the new Opel Adam, GM Europe president Steve Girsky and vice CEO Thomas Sedran went into more detail about the company's multibillion-dollar restructuring plan dubbed Drive! 2022. The plan, which was which was approved six weeks ago by GM's board, would take place in three phases. Phase one would see the company “cut the cash flow gap” between expenditure and income Phase
    • 0 comments
    • 1,902 views
  39. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 10, 2012 Opel announced today that it will close the Bochum plant in Germany in 2016 when production of the current Opel Zafira ends. "Despite rigorous efforts, there was no success in changing the situation. The main reasons are the dramatic declines in the European car market and the enormous overcapacity in the entire European auto industry," Opel said in a statement today. The closure is part of a long-term recovery plan called Dr
    • 4 comments
    • 3,790 views
  40. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 19, 2012 Opel has put a halt on plans of doing an electric version of the new Adam, citing sticker shock if it was to go on sale. "It was a business decision. We could not charge the customer the price needed to make it work on the cost side," said Dieter Metz, chief engineer for the Adam. Documents obtained by Automotive News Europe last year showed the company was cancelling it due to "excessively high additional investments.” Auto
    • 8 comments
    • 8,816 views
  41. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 9, 2012 Vauxhall has decided to up their Insignia VXR a bit by introducing the Insignia VXR SuperSport. What makes the Insignia VXR SuperSport different from the Insignia VXR it replaces is a lower price (£29,995, about £3,760 less) and a higher top-speed (170 MPH vs. 155 MPH). The Insignia VXR SuperSport uses a 2.8L turbo-six producing 325 HP. That helps it get 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 170 MPH. You can place an
    • 6 comments
    • 3,139 views
  42. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 17, 2012 Opel unveiled the new Cascada, a four-seater convertible that will be arriving at dealers early next year. The Cascada has many design cues from the Astra and Insignia with a chrome grille, bulging front hood, sculpted doors, and wing-shaped rear lights. Overall measurements for the Cascada are 184.9 inches long and 72.8 inches wide, which makes it a little bit larger than an Audi A5; one of the vehicles the Cascada is said to
    • 4 comments
    • 3,621 views
  43. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 10, 2012 Opel has revealed a new 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder that will be part of a new engine family coming out within the next few years. The 1.6L engine uses an aluminum block and spark ignition direct injection (SIDI). Opel says the new engine improves fuel efficiency by 13%. In standard form, the 1.6L Eco Turbo produces 168 HP and 206 lb-ft of torque. In the Performance Turbo model, power is upped to 197 HP and 221 lb-ft of tor
    • 12 comments
    • 4,789 views
  44. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 10, 2012 Last Thursday, Morgan Stanley released a report saying GM should sell off Opel and settle it losses. The report says GM has lost $10 to $20 billion over the past three years to Opel. If GM keeps the brand, the report says it will cost it up to another $12 billion over the next 10 years. Closing Opel isn't a good option at all says the report due to the enormous costs of winding down manufacturing operations in Europe. The rep
    • 11 comments
    • 3,621 views
  45. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 6, 2012 The General Motors, PSA alliance has hit a wall. According to German news magazine, Der Spiegel, one part of GM-PSA alliance has been taken out. The part dealt with GM sharing the Insignia platform with Citroën and Peugeot to build their next-generation midsize sedans.That would also allow Citroën and Peugeot vehicles to roll off the line at the Rüsselsheim plant, thus allowing the plant to use up all available capacity. Why
    • 1 comment
    • 2,520 views
  46. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 24, 2012 General Motors will be closing down two Opel plants for a total of four weeks in response to a drop in demand for cars in Europe. A report from Reuters says an agreement between Opel and labor representatives will have two plants, Ruesselsheim and a component plant in Kaiserslautern, to halt production for a total of 20 working days between September and the end of the year. “The European automobile market is declining dramatic
    • 4 comments
    • 2,620 views
  47. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 11, 2012 Some new spy shots of a refreshed version of the Opel Insignia OPC have been caught. Starting up front, the Insignia OPC appears to get a new bumper, small air intakes, and a new grille. Around back, there are minimal changes. The only thing of note is a set of restyled taillights. Inside, there appears to be a larger screen for infotainment and navigation and a restyled center console. Now, we wondering if the Buick Regal GS
    • 0 comments
    • 2,538 views
  48. William Maley ·
    William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 24, 2012 Cadillac has big ambitions for the European market, readying the ATS, CTS, and SRX to do battle. One car that was planning to stay was the XTS. Now, a new report from German auto news site, Auto-News.de, says the XTS could be the basis for a new Opel flagship. An odd pairing at first, bankruptcy documents from Saab reveal GM was hard at work on a new on a new flagship for Swedish brand named the 9-8, which was expected to use bits
    • 16 comments
    • 5,188 views
  49. Blake Noble ·
    Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 10th, 2012 General Motors’ European operating firm Opel recently lost $256 million dollars in the first quarter of 2012, and changes are underway to stem the losses. The waves of red ink washing in overseas at Opel are cutting deep into the Detroit automaker’s earnings. While GM posted net earnings of $1 billion dollars for this year’s first quarter, it knows things could’ve been much better if its European outpost were operating profitabl
    • 22 comments
    • 7,053 views
  50. Blake Noble ·
    G. Blake Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 28th, 2012 To say that Opel has been eyeing the success of the Fiat 500 would be something of an understatement. In fact, it’s almost well known that the German automaker has been hard at work on a new model the last few years to compete with the small Italian city car. Now new spy photos have emerged of the upcoming small Opel lapping the Nurburgring as engineers put its sporting prowess to the test. During the course of its developm
    • 12 comments
    • 4,381 views
  51. Blake Noble ·
    G. Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 12th, 2012 The Opel Insignia is certainly a well-traveled piece of automotive design. Currently, the German mid-sized sedan is sold in mainland Europe as, obviously, the Opel Insignia, in the UK as the Vauxhall Insignia, and in China and North America as the Buick Regal. For 2013, you can add Australia to the list of countries the Insignia has been to as Opel prepares to introduce the brand to the market there for the first time, but before
    • 1 comment
    • 3,719 views
  52. William Maley ·
    William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 20, 2012 Opel/Vauxhall are trying to position themselves as premium car brand for Europe. One problem; their only “flagship” model is the Insignia. CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke said the brand needs more of them. “I believe we need a top of the line car, to be positioned in the luxury segment. The Insignia car has done a great job of showing we can make premium-like products, but establishing ourselves properly in this territory will b
    • 5 comments
    • 2,104 views
  53. William Maley ·
    GM's European Division, Opel have released pictures of the uncloaked Astra OPC (Vauxhall Astra VXR for the UK). The three-door OPC takes the body of the new Astra GTC and adds some new bits to give it a more aggressive look. A new front bumper, diffuser-esque rear, twin tailpipes, and a black-tipped spoiler. Twenty inch wheels hiding a big set of Brembo brakes complete the look. Under the hood is a 2.0L direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder producing 280 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque
    • 17 comments
    • 4,872 views