Bye bye Opel...

Rouxenator

Rouxenator

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So a few days ago I posted about the awesome new Astra... well good news for those of you that thinks it sucks. We ain't getting it :p

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Content/N...1-01-0001 12-01/Opel_Astra_discontinued_in_SA

General Motors South Africa is to cut back on its Opel line-up significantly due to the car giant's financial predicament.

GMSA is discontinuing the Astra, Meriva, Zafira and Tigra models locally. The ageing Corsa Lite, a popular choice among budget car buyers, has also reached the end of its life cycle and dropped off GMSA latest price lists distributed to media.

“Driven by the rand deteriorating against the euro, we will only import the Corsa and some commercials for now,” GMSA product communications manager Tim Hendon told Wheels24.

“We continue to make the Corsa Utility in PE and Opel most definitely continues to live on in our lineup.”

However, despite GMSA’s decision to trim the Opel range the manufacturer is to focus more on Chevrolet products. Several new Chev model such as the Cruze sedan and the new Spark are on their way here.

Also, rumour has it that the successor of the Corsa Utility bakkie, which is not due for another two years, will get a Chevrolet badge.
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So what they are saying is Opel is getting killed off.
Nice :D soon I will be driving a collectors item...
 
FarligOpptreden said:
Dunno if that's sad or what... Was looking forward to seeing the new Astra on the roads though.
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You might still, but it will take some time. First GM has to kill it off a bit here and then hopefully sell out Opel (since it is not one of their "global brands") and then when they are privately owned again we might get the new Astra. But thats probably 5 years from now.

Kinda like the good old Delta days.
 
Always had my doubts about Opel. But at least the bakkies are still around - they not too bad.
 
The bakkies are awesome actually! I'm not a fan of bakkies per se but i love the corsa bakkie and seems like it's good value for money.
 
I am really sad about this. My family have been Opel people for ages and it looks like in a year there won't be an Opel in SA to speak of. Why thy would keep that Chevy crap when the pricing of the Astra and Optra are very similar I don't know.

I think I will have to have a drink tonight.
 
I had an Opel Astra for more than a year. I got rid of it coz it gave me endless problems. Best decision I made.
 
I was under the impression that opel was surviving the credit crunch, now some of their models are moving outta the country as well? what's next, my beloved Peugeot?

The only models I know are the corsa, astra and bakkie - don't even know what their Meriva, Zafira and Tigra look like, so no surprise they taking it away :p

SA is more of a Toyota and VW country.
 
so allthough gmsa said that things aren't looking too gloomy (a week or 2 ago in sake beeld), and now this :(

...but it might make sense, as the rand is struggling vs the the euro. also gm in the us is screwed pretty much, and vehicle sales down 30% +-

but if you wait a month or 2 you'll be able to pick up a astra gtc for a steal
 
In GM Chev is an universal brand while Opel is a regional brand (mainland Europe). You get Opels badged as Chevs in South America and as Holden in Oz, my guess is they would do the same for SA (if we are lucky). But for GM it would make more sense to sell us Deawoo's under the Chev brand. If they do that I'm moving over to Hyundai-Kia.

The best thing that could happen to Opel is if GM throws the towel in on them like with SAAB the other week. A lot of companies would love to buy up Opel (it is Germany's oldest car maker) and hopefully then they will start to import them to SA again (just like the GM-Suzuki saga).

But we'll have to wait and see I guess.
 
Personally I've never liked any opel built under GM lately.. although the late 90's models were slick.
 
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