Detroit Motor Show: GM to Launch Opel in Australia Next Year

Last September, we reported that Nick Reilly, Chairman of Opel, hinted at the launch of the German brand in Australia. GM's European division made it official today at, announcing that Opel is set to enter the Australian market in 2012.

Nick Reilly, said at the Detroit Auto Show: “This launch is an important part of our international expansion strategy. With its growing demand for German design and technology, the Australian car market is an excellent opportunity for Opel. Australian drivers have a strong affinity with Opel vehicles.”

In a statement released to the press, Opel said the company’s offerings will include the Insignia, Astra and Corsa, with the full model line-up to be announced closer to the actual start of sales.

GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden, will most likely continue to offer its RWD Commodore and Caprice range with the rest of the lineup comprising of rebadged Chevrolet and Daewoo models such as the Barina Spark, Captiva and Cruze. The Opel brand will be positioned more upmarket targeting Volkswagen.

Following the previously announced launch of the brand in Chile and Israel, Australia becomes the third export brand for Opel, which is looking to strengthen its exports and increase sales. The German company said other markets that are under consideration include Argentina, the Middle East and an expansion in South-Africa and China.

Gallery: Opel's European Range

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2011/01/detroit-motor-show-gm-to-launch-opel-in.html?m=0

Vauxhall gets into the Christmas Shopping Spirit, Announces 20% Discounts on Most New Models

'Tis the season for shopping at Vauxhall as GM's British subsidiary has announced a significant 20 per cent discount on most of its new models, just days before the VAT increases in the country by a hefty 2.5 per cent in early January. The automaker's offer is called "Vauxhall Countdown" and it is available on new cars purchased between December 27, 2010

While Vauxhall did not release a full price list, the automaker did provide some examples. With the 20 per cent discount, the on-the-road price of an Astra 1.4 (100PS) Exclusive tumbles by more than £3,190, while savings on the Agila range start from £1890.

According to the automaker, Corsa buyers can save up to £3400 off the on the road price, depending on model, while the Astra Sports Tourer will attract discounts of between £3,300 and £4,685. Those in need of more power can opt for the range-topping Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) and see the road price drop by £6,165 to £26,150.

"We’re committed to reducing the pain of the latest VAT rise as much as possible,” said Peter Hope, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. “Vauxhall Countdown is a no-nonsense 20 per cent discount that applies across almost all models in our range. It has instant appeal for all our customers and makes ownership of some of our latest, award-winning cars even more attractive than before."

http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/12/vauxhall-gets-into-christmas-shopping_15.html?m=0

Fiat to Supply Opel with Commercial Vehicles Made in Turkey

In this day and age, automakers are either buying each other up forming new groups or constantly deepening their cooperation with their counterparts. The Fiat Group, which recently acquired a 20% stake in Chrysler, is now expanding its commercial vehicle joint ventures to include GM's European Opel and Vauxhall units.

The Italian company, which has a joint venture for larger LCVs with the PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group, has signed a contract agreement with GM to supply vehicles comprising of several variants to Opel starting from December 2011. The new model will replace the German firm's Combo light commercial vehicle, keeping the same name. The range will include a number of derivatives, such as cargo vans, passenger vehicles and chassis cabs.

The new Opel Combo will be based on the same platform as the current Fiat Doblo models, with production to take place at Fiat's Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey where the Doblo is manufactured. According to the announcement, the project calls for an initial supply of up to 6,000 vehicles in 2011, and gradually increase to at 250,000 units per year.

The new Combo will be sold by Vauxhall and Opel dealers in Europe and other markets outside of North America starting in January 2012.

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/fiat-to-supply-opel-with-commercial_30.html?m=0

German Police Recruits Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

The Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, the sedan version of which is marketed in the States as the Buick Regal, has been recruited for duty by the Polizei force of the German State of Hesse. The authorities announced today that they have ordered a total of 800 patrol cars from Opel, with the first 100 examples to be delivered this year.

All Insignia patrol cars will come fitted with special equipment including additional rear warning lights with LED tech, a pull out tray system for the trunk which can be replaced with a transport box for police dogs.

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http://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2010/11/german-police-recruits-opel-insignia_25.html?m=0

Official: 2011 Opel Corsa gets New Face and 3.5lt/100km - 67.2mpg EcoFlex Diesel

Enough with the rumors and the teasing from Opel's European site configurators; the 2011/2012 Corsa facelift has finally been officially revealed. The subtle restyling comes four years after the presentation of the fourth generation model less than 12 months after Opel tweaked the supermini's engine range and chassis.

The updated Corsa dons a sharper face with chiseled headlamps, a new upper grille and a restyled front bumper featuring a wider and taller lower grille, plus different foglamp housings. The new look is complemented with six new alloy wheel designs and a larger, redesigned Opel Blitz on the tailgate.

These changes bring the car more in line with Opel's latest offerings such as the Meriva and Astra, though some may also find a few similarities with the Mazda2 [up front]. And as you can see in the picture right above, Opel seems to poke some fun at its newly found smiley face syndrome...

Inside, the dashboard molding sports a more textured skin while all trim levels have been updated with new fabrics and/or decors. There's also an available new Touch & Connect navigation system featuring a commuter function that uses TMC information to propose alternative routes in case of traffic problems, even when navigation is not active.

For the new model year, Opel has also added a new trim level called the Color Line Series, which will be available across Europe. The Color Line Series models can be equipped with an optional "Linea" pack, featuring two large stripes stretching across the length of the body with matching colored 17-inch wheels and exterior mirror caps.

A new Corsa EcoFlex 1.3 CDTI [diesel] with 95HP and standard Start/Stop technology also enters the range. Thanks to the start/stop system, the three-door version's fuel consumption in the combined cycle is reduced from 3.7 to 3.5 liters/100 km [67.2 mpg US] and the emissions from 98 to only 94 g/km CO2. The five-door variant achieves 3.6 l/100 km and emits just 95 g/km CO2.

According to Opel, in city driving the updated EcoFlex models returns a fuel consumption of 4.2 liter per 100 kilometers instead of 4.6 l/100 km previously.

The modestly refreshed Opel will go on sale across Europe in January 2011.

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