1969 Opel Kadett on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Opel getting 5.2 billion dollar investment from GM

Never fear, Opel fans. General Motors isn't sending the brand out to pasture. The European automaker is set to receive a massive $5.2 billion investment from GM between now and 2016 as part of a larger effort to solidify Opel as GM's design and manufacturing backbone in Europe. Opel plans to return to profitability by the middle of this decade under its DRIVE!2022 business plan, and the cash infusion from GM should help make that projection a reality. Even so, it may be some time before Opel is able to turn its fortunes around.
The automaker lost $1.8 billion last year, up from $700 million the year prior. Opel faces numerous challenges compounded by the fact that the European Union continues to be mired in economic slump. Even so, the new investment helps put rumors that GM had plans to sell Opel to bed. You can read the full press release on the funds below.

Opel bringing Monza concept to Frankfurt [w/video]

Opel may be bringing this Monza concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall, but it's unlikely the Monza concept will spawn a production coupe to fill the void left by the Calibra and original Monza.
Opel says the concept shows the firm's focus on "efficiency and connectivity," which will be applied to the brand's next generation of models. The Monza concept features a "ground-breaking powertrain solution" and the connectivity with its infotainmant system represents a "quantum leap" in development. According to Opel/Vauxhall CEO, Karl-Thomas Neumann, the Monza "covers a whole range of subject areas and elements. It carries them forward in a visionary fashion, expressing them with fresh inspiration and clarity. Further, "This car is a study that will have a long-term impact on the next generation of Vauxhall and Opel models."
Opel says the concept shares similarities with the Monza fastback sold in the 1970s and '80s, with large glazed surfaces and a low belt line. We've lightened up the two images of the concept that Opel has shown so far (the shadowy originals are also in the gallery), and the resulting concept is pretty great looking, if being we're honest. Sleek, low and crisply angled, the front end of the concept is attractive an attractive start, but we'll need to see the whole package to make sense of it. Scroll down to see a video of the concept, or to read the full press release.

GM says it will not sell Opel, Fiat still ready to buy

Automotive News reports General Motors has no interest in selling Opel. The statement comes after an Italian newspaper implied Fiat was ready to buy the brand should the alliance between GM and PSA/Peugeot Citroen fail. The publication reported that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is already crafting a proposal to acquire the German brand in the event GM calls it quits, using a strategy similar to the one that saw Fiat win Chrysler.
Fiat has declined to comment on the situation, but GM Vice Chairman Stephen Grisky said in a statement that GM stands behind Opel and that the brand is "a fully integrated part of GM's global footprint."
Grisky also said the GM-PSA alliance is still strong.