Angry Germans : GM wants Opel/Vauxhall

[Rouxenator]

Turns out things are looking a little better at GM and now they are thinking of holding on to Opel/Vauxhall. Not surprising really since most of the innovations inside GM on normal sized cars (not over sized Detroit steel) comes from Opel.

The Germans however are not happy with this, perhaps because they know how bad it can be to operate under GM. The British however do welcome this move. Reminds one of WW2 only this time it is about cars, and to be more precise, Germany's oldest car maker - so you can understand they are a little touchy about it all.

GMSA, whom is not directly affected by this, is also looking at bringing new Opel models to SA. So perhaps we might see the new Astra afterall

Afrikaans link : http://www.sake24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=6-100_2560262

 

[ALFAHOLIC]

Don't we already have ALL Opels?

 

[d0b33]

So much politics surrounding this.... sticking with GM meant a loss of jobs and since the elections were underway(the campaign) Merkel the diplomat ensuring the working class voters they won't loose their jobs used the magna deal to win over voters, but now the elections are over it's business as usual and the Germans will lose their jobs (most likely) while GM remains in control.

 

[Rouxenator]

You're spot on there Aqua. Also the Magna deal would mean more company shares for the employees of Opel which they will not get if GM remains in control. Guess this will get nasty !

Alfa - we are already missing out on a few awesome Opels :

Agila : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Agila (Its a Suzuki Splash)

Insignia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Insignia (European car of the year 2009 and first car with traffic sign recognition technology - also in E-Class now)

We are also no longer getting the Meriva (Corsa based mini van), Zafira (Astra based mini van) or Astra. The Antara is sold here as the Chev Captiva (before that Isuzu Frontier). We also do not get the GT roadster.

 

[ALFAHOLIC]

That white insignia looks brutal!

 

[Rouxenator]

If you want to drool over it some more : http://www.opel.de/shop/cars/insignia/gallery/photo/content.act?pic=12

Opel have a lot of great cars, many of which that are superior to those of their national rivals, but since we rely on GM to import them we are seeing very little of the Opel glory.

 

[Keeper]

they must bring us the HSV Maloo R8 & VXR8 Bathurst S !!!

 

[PeterCH]

Turns out things are looking a little better at GM and now they are thinking of holding on to Opel/Vauxhall. Not surprising really since most of the innovations inside GM on normal sized cars (not over sized Detroit steel) comes from Opel.

The Germans however are not happy with this, perhaps because they know how bad it can be to operate under GM. The British however do welcome this move. Reminds one of WW2 only this time it is about cars, and to be more precise, Germany's oldest car maker - so you can understand they are a little touchy about it all.

GMSA, whom is not directly affected by this, is also looking at bringing new Opel models to SA. So perhaps we might see the new Astra afterall

Afrikaans link : http://www.sake24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=6-100_2560262

Perhaps Germany should just shut up. It was Germany first who pulled Nationalism over EU policies when this present economic crisis developed. They're not fit to lead the EU AFAIK.

 

[HapticSimian]

The Insignia is a very decent-looking car - only Opel I've ever taken a second glance at...

 

[Keeper]

HSV Maloo:

 

[HapticSimian]

The Maloo is just what we've got as the Lumina UTE with a couple of go-faster bits stuck on - not so?

I'd give up bits of my anatomy for a local version of the VXR8 sedan... *WANT*

 

[Obelix]

we also have opels in this country that is an opel only in this country. if you get what im trying to say....

the corsa utility is actually a chev montana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Montana

 

[Obelix]

We are also no longer getting the Meriva (Corsa based mini van), Zafira (Astra based mini van) or Astra.

Thats purely because of priving. The zaf is like almost R70K more expensive than its Chev counterpart ( not release here yet ).

 

[ToxicBunny]

Rouxenator..

Opel is NOT Germany's oldest car maker... They're the oldest company that makes cars.. there is a difference, they made sewing machines, and only produced a car in 1899, and then their OWN car in 1902.

Benz & Cie (Precursor to Mercedes Benz) produced a car in 1885, and started selling it commercially in 1888, a full 11 years before Opel got a clue.

 

[Sackboy]

Perhaps Germany should just shut up. It was Germany first who pulled Nationalism over EU policies when this present economic crisis developed. They're not fit to lead the EU AFAIK.

Peter, this Ground Hog Day routine of yours is irritating. You're talking 1945. It's the 21st Century now and Europe is united!

I believe the US government didn't like having to sell the company to Russia and made sure it never happened. The history of the deal shows some of this type of thinking.

 

[Rouxenator]

ToxicBunny, thanks for the correction. You are right, Karl Benz and Daimler was the first to build a car so not only is Mercedes-Benz Germany's oldest car manufacturer but I think they are the oldest maker in the world ?

I'd give up bits of my anatomy for a local version of the VXR8 sedan... *WANT*

Yeah, if the Brits can have it as a Vauxhall I am sure we can have it as a Chev here in SA

the corsa utility is actually a chev montana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Montana

Well spotted - although it did start out as a pick up built on the Corsa B (Lite) platform.