GM Plots to Replace Opel With Chevy

by Robert Farago

Published: August 30th, 2009

Clearly, GM’s top suits missed the memo about the end of empire. While the artist formerly known as the world’s largest automaker clings to dreams of holding onto Opel with your (and German) tax money, the company has unveiled plan B: Chevy attacks! The Wall Street Journal [sub] reports that “Brent Dewar, recently named to head Chevy’s global operations, told reporters Friday that Chevy sales in Europe are expected to expand to one million from the 500,000 vehicles — or 2.5% of the market — sold in 2008. He didn’t provide a timetable for the growth target, but said new products — including Chevy Volt electric cars and Malibu sedans shipped from the U.S. — will fuel the effort.” Huh? “We’ve got to take this brand and truly make it global . . . a true relevant global participant,” Mr. Dewar said, admitting that the effort is “a work in progress.” Oh, so that’s what you call it . . .

Robert Farago

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Dwford on Aug 31, 2009
You have simply no idea how American cars are seen in Europe. They are seen as worse than Chinese cars. SUVs are slightly different but SUVs are not good cars anyway. Possibly because Europeans' only exposure to current US designed and built cars has been through Chrysler for quite some time. As fuel economy and environmental concerns in the US begin to mirror those in Europe it will be easier for GM and Ford to design models to sell in both markets. Also, GM's current offerings are about to be replaced all at once at the low end of the market, and if recent product introductions are an indication, there is reason to hope(I hate that word!) for the best.

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SCE to AUX on Aug 31, 2009

The Volt in Europe!? GM is really into self-loathing these days.

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Thor Johnsen on Aug 31, 2009

Chevy Volt = Opel Ampera in Europe

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Jerry weber on Aug 31, 2009

Might as well roll out the volt for Europe. It has been introduced here a dozen times. I'm sure the Europeans don't have anything that gets 235 miles per gallon over there. Is this another version of "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again"? Chevy should worry about selling cars here in the US, first. VW has just made a bold statement about selling hundreds of thousands of cars here. It sound improbable, but at least they are solid in their homeland (number one in Europe).

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