By Frank Williams
July 14, 2008 -
Automotive News [sub] reports that the plug-in electric - gas hybrid Volt will be sold as a Chevrolet in the U.S. only. When they go on sale in Europe in 2012, they'll have different styling and wear Opel and Vauxhall badges– even though they'll be built on the same assembly line in Michigan. So why, with GM's push to make Chevy their "global" brand, are they rebadging the Volt for their Euro-brands? GM claims Opel and Vauxhall have larger dealer networks than Chevy. But let's face it… with Chevy's image as a bargain-basement brand in Europe and their current offerings of rebadged Daewoos, how many people would consider buying a high-tech, high-priced electric hybrid at a Chevy dealership in Europe? About as many as would consider buying a Corvette at one. Which is why Corvette is marketed in the Eurozone as a separate brand with Hummers and Cadillacs, and why Volts will become Opels and Vauxhalls. Stimt?
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July 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
How true regarding the rebadging of Daewoos. It puts the Chevy brand below Hyundai and Kia - which are improving with each new generation.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
How could you sell the Volt next to a “reasonably priced car?”
July 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
GM’s reliance on Daewoo to provide Chevrolets is both embarrassing and damaging to the brand.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Ja; stimt.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
That is one crazy looking picture. I would buy one of those, if only for the unique look of it.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Indeed. Im using Dodge as an example but it applies to Chevy just as well when talking about the brand. At the time when it was announced that Dodge would be sold in Europe i was actually excited for a moment, not having looked much into the latest american cars. To me Dodge meant the Challenger, Charger and Viper, pretty much. Now i just associate Dodge with the Caliber.
Opel is also very low on my list of cars to consider, mostly because i still remember the Opels of the 90s, and the current styling is too IN YOUR FACE. Kind of like Seat, really.