GM Europe Goes Poof
We and most of the European press had reported that GM Europe would give up their strange headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and move the whole shebang to Rüsselsheim, Germany, where Opel resides. Not quite, said an Opel spokesperson to Germany’s Autohaus. From Rüsselheim “all functions of Opel and Vauxhall will be directed,” said Andfreas Kroemer of Opel. In Zurich remains the headquarters of Chevrolet Europe.
And what about GM Europe?
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Zurich sounds more upscale than Russelsheim. Wait til Big Ed sees the rent on the Zurich digs.
My gut reaction is that GM is setting itself up to self compete/cannibalize it's own sales...again. Chevy vs. Opel who wins? Ford, PSA, Renault, VW... Bunter
Would agree with Steven on being a good thing and a politically driven move at that. One of the chief complaints from Germany was that GM had starved Opel to death (possibly correct) and therefore would only give funding if seperated. By dissolving GME and giving Opel its corporate independence GM is one step closer to alleving those concerns (state, management and union) and securing funding. I think that chevy in europe is meant to compete with the likes of dacia, skoda, etc. while leaving Opel to deal with western europe (which again is probably smart).
@ Bunter1 I think that your examples of people looking for something and coming back for something else entirely is interesting, but also making this case. In western Europe, there are many Opel dealers that also carry Chevy. What they have found, is that when Chevy came in, it also boosted Opel sales. It could very well be that Chevy buyers could spend a bit more and walk away with an Opel.