[volt spain]

Big news ,General Motors selling OPEL to french companies...wonder about the future of GM electrical vehicles in the old continent, probably replaced with the Citroen Zoe and others...few years ago they withdrawl CHEVROLET, what's next?.

 

[siai47]

I think it's a stupid move. Opel supplied a lot of technology to GM (think the Eco-Tec 4 cylinder engines) over the years and had a pretty good line of automobiles a couple of decades ago. Just as stupid as closing their Australian division that built rear wheel drive sedans and the Holden brand. I guess GM is too enamored with China to expand production (or maintain production) anywhere else in the world. Same old company, just new faces.

 

[Henry_FL]

Very smart move, EU has cost GM over 20 billion is losses over the last 17 years, about time a CEO ponied up and cut the cord.

If the EU demand Bolts, there is nothing stopping any EU car company from approaching GM to re-badging / selling the Bolt and not have to put out Billions in losses to do it.

 

[BAZINGA]

As I understand it this sale also allows GM back into the EU market, this time as GM. Probably a smart move over the long haul.

 

[Loboc]

Make the Ampera-e a Buick and sell it in EU and China. Looks like a good move from a company valuation/stock perspective.

 

[Bacardi]

Make the Ampera-e a Buick and sell it in EU and China. Looks like a good move from a company valuation/stock perspective.

Pretty much what I was going to say...This is the Bolts/Ampera-e opportunity, both the EU and even China love its segment (subcompact wagon/hatchback) far more than the United States...However they'll need to build them in China to both avoid imports and qualify for incentives...Perhaps that's part of this plan with this sale...

 

[Steverino]

Very smart move, EU has cost GM over 20 billion is losses over the last 17 years, about time a CEO ponied up and cut the cord.

Yes, GM's Euro operations have been an ongoing money pit. The announcement to sell Opel and Vauxhall is to be announced Monday.

"Opel had hoped to return to profitability by 2016, but the slide in sterling following the EU referendum last June contributed to its 257m euros annual loss." Translation: Brexit was not good for Opel.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39172225

 

[Ladogaboy]

However they'll need to build them in China to both avoid imports and qualify for incentives...Perhaps that's part of this plan with this sale...

If that includes parts (not just assembly), then they might benefit by an additional battery factory anyway. It seems very likely that one of the major bottlenecks for Bolt EV production is battery availability.

 

[Neromanceres]

The details of the deal haven't been released but based on some of the leaks this is my impression.
Existing Opels in production will continue as normal. This should include the Ampera-e.

GM will retain all intellectual property and PSA will not have the rights to use that IP beyond the current production cycle of existing Opel vehicles.

The big question is not all of GM Europe's operations fell under "Opel". It will be interesting to see what happens to GM Europe's operations in general. My understanding is the deal includes manufacturing, dealer network and Opel/Vauxhall trademarks. No word on GM's extensive engineering resources in Europe for example.

Also GM does sell in very small numbers Cadillac in Europe in it's own very small dealer network. I imagine GM is going to expand that. Also GM might look to re-introduce Chevrolet to Europe. They tried before as a discount brand throught the Opel network but that didn't work so well. A re-launch of Chevrolet in Europe would require a new dealer network and a whole lot of marketing.