Citing not better specified ‘industry sources’, German magazine Wirtschafts Woche reported yesterday that BMW and General Motors are planning to team up in order to develop premium fuel cell technology that will end up feeding the electric and hybrid powertrains of the future models of the two groups.

Apparently, the talks between the two companies are highly advanced, with the carmakers close to signing a cooperation agreement. More specifically, the plan would give BMW access to GM’s fuel cell technology in exchange of a contribution to the research costs. A BMW spokeperson stated on Saturday that “We are speaking to GM about various future technologies but we are not saying anything more beyond that“, while GM declined to comment.

via | Wirtschafts Woche

....

0 comments

General Motors will build today its 100-millionth small-block engine, 56 years after the first production unit was built. Since then, small-block engines from GM have powered plenty of vehicles all around the world, and today the direct progeny of the first Chevrolet unit ever produced in 1955 can be found worldwide pulsing in Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac models, Opel in Europe, Vauxhall in the U.K., Holden in Australia and also in various Baojun, Buick, Isuzu, Jiefang and Wuling vehicles.

The 100-millionth milestone engine will be a LS9 small block hand-built at GM’s Performance Build Center, Detroit, that will go on to equip a 205-mph (330 km/h) Corvette ZR1. It is interesting to notice that the first 4.3-litre engine produced in 1955 delivered about 195 hp with an optional four-barrel carburettor whereas today the LS9 6.2 litre supercharged small-block of the Corvette ZR1 is rated at 638 hp, making it the most powerful engine ever installed in a regular-production GM vehicle. We’d like to compliment GM for the impressive achievement.

via | GM.com

....

0 comments

The arrival of a new Saab 9-3 has been confirmed, and it should prove to be a return to a five-door hatchback model. A three-door hatch is apparently not planned for the moment, and we could get a Saab 9-3 sedan in the future to appeal to the US car market. According to reports the 9-3 will be radically different from the past General Motors-era model with designer Jason Castriota apparently working on a design that would make the new 9-3 more individually Saab.

A debut is planned for the near future (possibly in about a year) and in addition to the hatchback we will see a 9-3 convertible, most likely a SportCombi wagon variant and the sedan model that could appear. The new Saab 9-3 design though, while taking inspiration from the PhoeniX concept, will also provide a streamlined hatchback that should appeal to sedan buyers as well (meaning we won’t be seeing anything boxy).

The news all comes from Autoblog.com and its quizzing of Saab’s Vehicle Validation Engineer, Magnus Hillerborn. The latter leaves a parting barb for GM executives who, he says, will be “very surprised” by the new model. With Saab sales needing a boost, developing a new 9-3 for the company’s new era is not only a good thing, it’s also necessary.

....

0 comments

Over the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, among the plans for expansion of the Opel brand overseas, General Motors confirmed that models like the Opel Astra will be back on the Australian car market, not as locally-badged Holden models, but as Opel European premium brand vehicles. The move could involve internal competition among the General Motors group, with models like the Chevrolet Cruze being overlooked for the Opel badge, but Opel head Nick Reilly claims that the European models will be headed for a different market segment, with customers unlikely to swap over from brand to another.

So far comments in Australia seem to welcome the move, and the return of European-built models like the Opel Astra and Opel Corsa (originally on the market as the Holden Barina) could prove to be extremely popular. We already analysed how the change from European-produced, Holden-Opel models to Korean-built ones was unwelcome, and how it damaged the brand on that market, and the announcement to bring back Opel models may well be celebrated by those wanting more choice in the European brand offering.

Rather than badging the models as Holdens, Opel will work alongside the Aussie brand, but will likely have its own standalone division and possible dedicated dealerships. Australian customers will have to expect to pay a premium for the Opel models though, as they will be priced in a different bracket from previous Holden branded models. They could prove to be more expensive than Volkswagen models, but will still be placed in front of Peugeot, Citroen, Renault and Alfa Romeo.

The expansion of the Opel brand worldwide is key to its survival, particularly at an international level, and the brand is planning new ventures in China, South America and the Middle East. Plans for the Australian market will likely be clouded somewhat by the history of the Holden brand, and will depend on the success of the premium brand label with past attempts not producing the profits expected. We’re hoping though that this time the move will be successful enough to discourage Opel from importing Korean-made Corsa’s and other models into Europe….

Source | Carsales.com.au

....

0 comments

There is a long preamble to this story that is coming up, but firstly reports are that the future Opel Corsa could be built in Korea, along with a new Opel citycar model being developed. According to the reports, there will be a new “premium hatch” and a budget citycar which will join the Opel Corsa in the small car line-up for the brand.

Despite being cars destined for the European market, the Corsa design and engineering will take place in Korea, along with the other two vehicles. The premium hatch, intended as a Mini competitor, will possibly have manufacturing trusted to Europe though, in what we see as a move indicating doubts on the build quality coming from Asia.

While nothing has been signed off as yet, General Motors has already tried this Asian-built Corsa experiment on another market - Australia. The model there is called the Holden Barina, and it was a stalwart on the Australian market for many years, especially as it gave local customers access to good, European-made cars, re-badged with an Australian brand. That was until recently when General Motors decided it could re-badge Daewoos rather than export the European models. More after the jump.

Continue reading: Analysis: would you buy a Korean-built Opel Corsa in Europe?

....

1 comment

For the first time in Fiat’s 111-year history, Italy is no longer the brand’s number one market. The local market has been overtaken by Brazil, purchasing 750,000 cars a year to Italy’s 722,000. If any evidence was needed as to Brazil’s “emerging” market status, the stats speak for themselves. Italy’s purchases decreased by 0.5 percent, while Brazil’s increased by 12.6 percent.

That’s a big number which has left even CEO Sergio Marchionne surprised (figures of this kind were expected for Brazil, but further down the track). What’s more, Fiat seems to be on a winning formula for this South American market, taking out the number one spot for car manufacturers, too. Volkswagen follows, selling 695,395 vehicles and General Motors trails behind a little at 610,836 sales.

The results are not due to one particular model, but a combination of Fiat’s hard work over a number of years to build their presence in the Brazilian market, providing vehicles that customers want to buy, and new car tax incentives from the Brazilian government. By comparison, the Italian car market is likely to experience a slight decrease this year, which could get very costly if the government chooses not to continue scrappage schemes.

Source | Autoblog.it

....

1 comment

These videos show Spyker to the rescue of Saab, given the 11th hour deal that finally went through, saving the company from closure by parent, General Motors. Saab seems relieved at the outcome, and we’ve no doubt the two European brands will find their way ahead nicely, although possibly slowly.

The videos show the press conference with Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson (who looks very pleased) and Spyker CEO Victor Muller, who looks quietly confident. Here’s to hoping the future will be a bright one for Saab. After the jump is a celebratory video of workers from Trollhättan, who got the day off when liquidators packed up and went home.

Continue reading: Saab celebrates: press conference and workers videos

....

0 comments

Opel experienced positive sales in 2009, reaching second place in its in local German market ahead of Mercedes and BMW. The results come despite the uncertainty over its possible sale and then reverse decision by General Motors to keep the precious European brand. While helped on the way by the German government, Opel still managed a sales increase of 31 percent.

Which begs the question of why GM was so bent on selling the brand in the first place. While we ponder that, 2010 is looking like a positive year with the new Opel Astra heading for success and new business plans on the table that should hopefully prove sensible.

Moving ahead, 2011 will see just one Opel sports model available in the range, in the form of the Opel Astra coupe. The coupe will be a true sports model, and not just a reinterpretation of the five-door version, and we could even see a possible re-birth of the Opel Calindra. Currently, the Opel Tigra and Opel GT are on stand by with no promises that they will appear on the product list next year.

Source | Auto Motor und Sport

....

0 comments

The Opel Ampera has yet to see the market, but an electric SUV version is already in the works, according to reports. The large electric sedan is the European equivalent of the Chevrolet Volt, and now that Opel looks set to remain firmly in the hands of General Motors, the Opel Ampera is almost guaranteed production.

In that case, we could see an Ampera launch as early as 2011, with the electric SUV version turning up in 2013. The SUV may be a stand alone model or it could represent a new range with petrol and diesel models, too.

Source | Automarket

....

0 comments

In the world of auto blogs and car blogging, there’s a new kid on the block in the form of Nick Reilly, Opel/Vauxhall CEO. It will be interesting to see the success of this initiative as often blogging CEOs and PR departments are not always welcome in the blogosphere.

If the introduction is anything to go by - “We look forward to having an interesting, productive dialog” says Opel - it could be a good thing. But if it turns into a propaganda machine for Opel, we’re definitely not on a winner. I’ll be curious enough to keep an eye on the blog as it goes along and hopefully it might prove to be an interesting read.

To see the blog, and Nick Reilly’s first post on his whirlwind tour of Europe, and getting the government back on side, go to Driving Conversations at GMBlogs.

....

2 comments

Earlier this month, there had been whisperings that Toyota would lose its crown as the biggest car producer in the world, and that Volkswagen could take the number one spot. According to latest reports, though, Volkswagen still sits at number three on podium, behind Toyota at number one and General Motors at number two.

Despite coming in third, Volkswagen is closing the gap between it and Toyota, halving the difference of number of cars produced between the two in just 12 months. I can only imagine that this puts it very close behind General Motors. The explanation is that Volkswagen has suffered less in the economic crisis, probably meaning that Toyota and General Motors have been producing less than usual.

In the first nine months of 2009, Volkswagen lost just 5.5 percent of its sales volume, while Toyota went backwards by a full 20 percent, and General Motors by 17. Still, if Volkswagen were to become the number one of the world’s car makers, this would only happen in a few years’ time, being more than a million vehicles away from Toyota’s and General Motors’ figures. We’ll see what 2010 brings with a refreshed General Motors and Volkswagen gaining even more ground in Europe. We could still see the numbers change, although the traditional rivalry looks assured.

Source | Auto Motor und Sport

....

0 comments

Here is a rendering of the possible Opel “Allegra”, future Opel city car model. In a crowded and competitive sector, it would compete with the Ford Ka, Volkswagen Up!, Fiat 500, Renault Twingo, and company. The car would appear directly below the Agila in the Opel product range, and would take on the role of entry-level Opel, with a price as low as 6,000 euros.

The Opel Allegra would be slightly longer than three metres, and would be built on a smaller version of the Agila or Corsa platform. Another hypothesis is that it could even be built by the General Motors Korea research and development division (possibly under the Chevrolet brand in the Asian market).

However, future Opel-GM collaboration would not occur if the Opel-Magna deal comes off, although GM may still seek influence for its Chevrolet models. The Opel Allegra city car could see a 2012-2013 debut.

Source | Caradisiac

....

0 comments