Opel's Future?

[Ooooner]

Anybody seen this?

IndustryWeek : SolarWorld Offers $1.26 Bill for Car Maker Opel

[RallyBob]

Last week it was discussed in this thread, post #27.

But it sounds like that company doesn't have the capitol to back up their offer anyway. I think the German government would step in before a buy out would happen (this time!). I think I'd rather see Opel as it's own entity, not owned by GM or anyone else. I imagine it could prosper quite well without the GM beancounters undercutting what is otherwise solid German engineering and quality.

[heimue]

SolarWorld doesn't have the money for this deal, and no bank will give them the quoted 750 mill Euro.
SolarWorld is a customer of the company I just left a few month ago. They were cancelling existing orders, and we froze uncancelled orders because we didn't receive scheduled payments. I'm talking about projects for a few 100 k Euros for solar panel manufacturing equipment...

Dieter

[DennisGardiner]

Beside 1.26 billion seams to cheap once you see the acreage that the Russelsheim property sits on, then factory in the buildings, machinery, tooling, line robots, etc., etc.

I took the factory tour in Russelsheim a few times now and they are very proud that the line in Russelsheim is the most modern in Europe to date.

But that's really not all, Opel has factories in Bochum, Eisenach, Kaiserslautern and at least 4 more countries. So,... 1.26 just sounds like they were way underbidding.

[Wolfman3002]

Maybe if Opel became it's own entity, seperate from GM, they could redesign the "new" Opel GT into something more reminiscent of the original. No offense to the Solstice/Sky Roadster, as I think it's a beautiful car in it's own right. I just think a new Opel GT should reflect it's heritage something like the new Mini-Cooper or VW Bug did, instead of just rebadging an already existing car. I thought this was a cheap trick by Opel/GM.
OK, I'm done.
Sorry about that,
Randy

[DennisGardiner]

Originally Posted by Wolfman3002 Maybe if Opel became it's own entity, seperate from GM, they could redesign the "new" Opel GT into something more reminiscent of the original. No offense to the Solstice/Sky Roadster, as I think it's a beautiful car in it's own right. I just think a new Opel GT should reflect it's heritage something like the new Mini-Cooper or VW Bug did, instead of just rebadging an already existing car. I thought this was a cheap trick by Opel/GM. OK, I'm done. Sorry about that, Randy

Doubtful, the current crop of designers at Opel will not allow the word "Retro" to be used.

Although I fully agree with you. If the SKY/GT body was closer to the original it would be better. When GM showed the Solstice Targa earlier this year,... I imagined this shape on the Sky/GT, "with" (and this it must have to look like a GT) the beautiful French curve in the side glass design.
It would look right and it would work. Add a tiny crease on the back deck like the original, perhaps with a small spoiler, and change the grill to look more like the twin nostrils of the original.

It would work, it would sell but corporate mentality is as the corporate mentality does.

[grslightng02]

I heard on the news tonight on TV speculation that GM is planning on selling SAAB and SATURN as ways of downsizing.

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by grslightng02 I heard on the news tonight on TV speculation that GM is planning on selling SAAB and SATURN as ways of downsizing.

SAAB is a cult car in this country (kinda like Saburu) buyers either love them or hate them with no in-between. I have known people on both sides of the fence, it is either the only car they would buy or they own have owned one and would never have another. Saturn was a sales concept to put car buying in a fair market type situation with no price haggling, now it has turned into rebadging of japanese and european cars that GM holds controling intrest in. GM would more than likely free up some capital by unloading them as sales of either one has never been what you would call great.

[OpelNewb]

They have to do something soon otherwise the loan deal isn't going to go thru and the exec's at GM had to think of a way to satisfy congress so they are basically bending over backwards now to get the money. They are cutting way too many jobs and closing too many plants. This all really is a terrible thing but they should have been looking to the future sometime ago. Now they are being forced into the future in a last ditch effort. I am not sure but it looks like the tie between Opel and GM will be broken. I do hope that someone picks up the Opel brand and does something good with it. It would be neat to see Opel's come back to the U.S. (and be true Opel's).

[jlthunder]

Originally Posted by opelnut10 SAAB is a cult car in this country (kinda like Saburu) buyers either love them or hate them with no in-between.

I'm a Saab owner and you are correct. The reason I bought mine is the fact that they are all turbo charged, but look like the family sedan. I always love the look of a ricer when I beat him off the line and I only see him in my rear view mirror.

GM has diluted SAAB with their generic componets in recent years, I just hope someone picks SAAB up as I would hate to see this brand disappear.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by grslightng02 I heard on the news tonight on TV speculation that GM is planning on selling SAAB and SATURN as ways of downsizing.

The story I read added Pontiac to this list as well...

[Aardvaark]

My Saab 99 was enough for me too. Nice to drive, by repairs were ridiculous.

If GM holds onto Saturn, Holden, Vauxhall and South American Chevrolet, I just don't see them selling Opel since they all share so many platforms and components.

[yellaopelgt]

Was having a discussion with a few contractors yesterday and one said Toyota bought Chrysler??? Is this true??? Couldnt find anything on the www.
Joe

[Opelkurt]

Saturn is in danger of becoming extinct.

The latest rumor / theory / wild story involves the cutting of the Opel-Saturn ties and reconnecting Opel with ....... Buick..

I thought of this ironic twist of fate as I drove my trusty old 1978 Buick/Opel by Isuzu to work today. Apparently the new Opel Insignia may become the new Buick LaCrosse....

-Kurt

[Opelkurt]

Here's an article suggesting that Opel should "take over" Saturn, dealers and all.

-Kurt

[baz]

i see gW had a look down the arms of the sofa today and checked his old suit pockets and has scraped up a few pennies to give to the big 3 , should just be enough to take the corporate heads on a nice holiday for christmas to take there minds of the stress and worries of how much bonus's they should get this year

[grslightng02]

Let's all ask Santa for this OPEL takeover of Saturn!

[baz]

if it happened i can see the cue's now to test drive the tigra then the cues in the parts dept to get crate motors

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Opelkurt Saturn is in danger of becoming extinct.-Kurt

A LOT of Saturn factory workers live in my area. Bless their widdle hearts they were out of work for awhile and only received 90 or 95% of their salaries and some of them apparently had a hard time making a go of it. I think everyone was excited when Saturn first came in the area hoping for a job only to find out that the good jobs were going to be filled by people transferring, as it should be, but I think a lot had to do with attitudes. For awhile there were bumper stickers with, "We don't care how you did it in Detroit" on local cars.

When unskilled labor makes what some of these folks are making and CEO's can get away with absolutely UNREAL salaries and bonuses, it's no wonder they're in trouble. At least in China when they get caught they commit suicide. Our folks seem to be able to look you in the eye with complete innocence.

Harold

[Johnvan]

The other day I had the postman refuse to deliver mail when my driveway had two inches of snow. He then advised that I should have it cleared no later than 9 am on any snow day or he will not deliver. My mailbox is twenty feet from the road on flat ground. He said he was the union safety rep. No houses on the street received mail that day!
I contacted the town postmaster and indicated I would support a group of mailboxes at the end of the street as in the new subdivisions. The postmaster was quick to advise the mail would be delivered as usual.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by Opelkurt Here's an article suggesting that Opel should "take over" Saturn, dealers and all.

From the article:

"Showroom eye-candy could include the Astra Twin Top..."



Dieter

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Opelkurt Apparently the new Opel Insignia may become the new Buick LaCrosse.... -Kurt

Great. They'd crap-up a beautiful European sedan with a bunch of useless tacked-on chrome...