With so much hype surrounding the Chevrolet Volt , it’s easy to forget that General Motors’ European divisions – Opel and Vauxhall – will also be receiving versions of the range-extending electric vehicle. However, a new report finds that even Volt variants destined for the European market will be built in the U.S.
A GM insider revealed to Automotive News that both Opel and Vauxhall are slated to get their own versions of the Volt, likely in 2012. Both models will be largely based on the Volt, but will get their own unique styling. GM made the decision to market the Volt under the Vauxhall and Opel brands in Europe because both units have a larger network base in Europe than GM’s Chevrolet brand.
All three models will be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. As with the U.S.-spec Volt, the European versions are expected to come with a hefty premium over vehicles with a conventional powertrain.
Although the initial batch of Volt-based vehicles will be made in the U.S., production could switch to Europe sometime in the future.
