So, this General Motors 'Fire Sale'

Latest news is that, although they're selling Opel, most likely to Fiat, they're keeping ownership of Vauxhall.

Which begs the question - what the hell will they put the badge on?

Will 2010 see the 'new Vauxhall Lacetti'?

Reply to
SteveH
Loading thread data ...

In competition with the Opel Astra....

I can't see it doing sales much good.

--=20 Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away"

Reply to
Dr Zoidberg

Seems insane to keep the brand, but have sold the factories which produce the cars on which you put the badge.

Reply to
SteveH

It's GM. A company which has pissed its entire business down the tubes by making cars that no one in their right mind wants. They've been doing this since the 1980s. The only thing remarkable is that they've lasted this long.

The fact that the dodos in senior management make stupid decisions shouldn't surprise anyone.

Reply to
Steve Firth

See Chevrolet...

Their European stuff seemed to be doing ok - granted, people here don't like a lot of it, but people here aren't necessarily representative of the buying public :-) So I'm surprised at Opel/Vauxhall selloff/split. Or have they been pissing away money over here too?

Reply to
Clive George

This alternative version of the potential sale is much much funnier from my point of view.

From the Autocar website.

"Fiat has competition for Opel from Austrian-Canadian firm Magna International, and if the German brand leaves GM then it is possible Vauxhall could be sold with it."

So, does that mean that the next Alfa 15X will actually be a vectra ?

Now that would be really really funny.

Or the Fiat Bravo based on on Astra ? The Fiat Brastra, or is it surely be known, the Brastrap.

Reply to
Bob Sherunckle

It's the standard US automotive business strategy, Ford did the same thing a few years ago and sold off there most profitable divisions to bankroll the loss making US departments. And then were totally shocked when they needed a big bailout. Why they seem to think people would actually want a Jeep Grand Mason Cherokee of Ford Expedition when the market says otherwise time and time again is beyond me.

Reply to
Depresion

snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk (SteveH) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Eh?

They're selling GM Europe, but keeping a single-market brand name? You sure about that? Where you getting that from?

If it does happen, then we'll just get Opels instead.

Can't see them planning to launch Vx as an alternative brand anywhere else - not at the same time as killing off several well-established US brands.

Reply to
Adrian

Well, I read it on PH. Hadn't checked the link.

Seems my guess was partially correct, as was the guess that Holden may be involved.

formatting link

Reply to
SteveH

Opels with bad electrics and rust, made from russian ahips sank of the coast of poland.

Reply to
Elder

That explains all the Astras, Corsas, Vectras, Zafiras you see daily?

Reply to
Abo

That doesn't necessarily prove him wrong , just establishes that there = are a lot of people that aren't in their right mind :0)

To be fair though , the european GM brands seem to do ok - it's the = parent company in the states that's where the real problems are.

--=20 Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away"

Reply to
Dr Zoidberg

Bought by divots.

Reply to
Steve Firth

Hasn't at least one person from this group had the type of people carrier that comes complete with an annoying child to do advert voiceovers?

Reply to
Elder

I believe so, though he's now got a Devastatingly Effective Toyota Corolla Verso now, so all's ok with the world.

Reply to
AstraVanMann

We've got a Meriva for tootling about in at my work.

It's about as interesting as a Currys own brand fridge.

I can see why old people like them.

Reply to
Douglas Payne

Holden have the Barina (Chevrolet Aveo) instead of the corsa and the Cruze/Epica instead of the Vectra. In fact, there's a bit of a crossover there, between the Cruze/Astra/Epica. The Cruze would fit in where the old Astra Belmont used to, but in the Holden line-up, is a totally different car. Quite disjointed, but then they always have been what with re-badged Suzukis, Isuzus and Toyotas making it into their range. Not to mention the time when the Commodore was pretty much a four-door Nissan Skyline for a while.

That some recognisable Vaux/Opel models are directly replaced by Daweoos might provide some clues to Vauxhall's future? Don't know what implications this will have on the Chevrolet brand, which is 100% Daewoo for Europe.

We might just lose Vauxhall and get Opel instead (or vice versa). Then again, Vauxhall is only recognised here, whereas Opel is recognised everywhere else in Europe (even Eire). The UK Google Street View cars are right-hand drive Opel Astras on British plates... doesn't look good for the Vauxhall brand but in a badge-engineered world, what does it matter? A Holden Astra is the same as an Opel Astra is the same as a Vauxhall Astra. Unlike an Audi A3/VW Golf/Seat Leon/Skoda Octavia where there is more going on than just changing the badge.

Reply to
SPAMMEIFYOULIKEBUTIWONTREADIT

i had to borrow the meriva demo at work not so long ago. it's a shit drive and a horrible driving position. it was like driving a jacked up rascal van!

Reply to
Vamp

I was thinking about the one bought as a speeding ticket prevention field.

Reply to
Elder

They will probably do a switch. Instead of Opel for Europe, Vx for UK, they will have Chevrolet for Europe, Vx for UK.

Reply to
Elder

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.