Following General Motors failed sale of Opel to Magna International, Opel head Carl-Peter Forster will reportedly step down from his post. General Motors announced earlier this month that it would retain its German Opel brand despite months of negotiations with Canada’s Magna International.
According to Spiegel Online, Forster has decided to resign from Opel following the failed takeover by Magna. Forster was reportedly earmarked to run the independent Opel, but will now leave the company entirely. Forster joined General Motors in 2001.
Nick Reilly, GM’s current head of international operations, will reportedly fill Forster’s spot as Opel’s top executive. Reilly currently works out of Shanghai and formerly held the post of managing direct of Vauxhall – Opel’s UK sister brand.
Forster’s departure marks the first high-ranking official to leave the German automaker after the failed takeover, and could signal a looming fallout. Opel’s position within the GM family hangs in the balance as the Detroit automaker pushes its Chevrolet brand as its volume division in Europe – essentially displacing Opel’s historic market position.



11/06, 12:38 PM
posted by:
A4
Forster’s cranky.
11/06, 12:49 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Unrelated -
I just saw this – a $650 car from Ford!!!! No Way!
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/ford_unveils_new_car_for_cash?utm_source=videoembed
11/06, 12:52 PM
posted by:
And The Winner Is...
LLN you guys are slow, Bob Lutz has just been appointed Chairman of Opel.
11/06, 12:56 PM
posted by:
And The Winner Is...
That must mean Susan Docherty will be his replacement. Afterall, she’s due for another promotion, she’s already been in her current position for two whole weeks. Even better, maybe they’ll bring LaNeve back!
11/06, 12:58 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
I guess he couldn’t take the pressure of working for Canadians.
11/06, 1:01 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
^Bob Lutz is only their as the interim over the board. He’s not going to be the chairman for the long term.
11/06, 1:47 PM
posted by:
American_Cars_Crap
So GM screws Canada over by saying to all the Canadians “screw you” were not giving you the opportunity to have your own car company. If Canadians are smart they would boycott all GM cars. GM is a selfish greedy corporation just looking for handouts and very willing to stab anyone in the back if its in their own favor. I think Canadians are cool, but if I see a Canadian driving a new GM vehicle, I just may have to yell out “looser!!”
11/06, 1:51 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Whereas most guys like ‘em tight, American_Cars_Crap must like them looser.
11/06, 2:00 PM
posted by:
0-60
@Smegley Wanxalot
LMFAO!! Good one. That guy is a dumb A$$.
11/06, 2:26 PM
posted by:
jewop
^American_Cars_Crap: Although I tend to agree with you I was hoping to see some Opel’s brought to North America rebaged with a maple leaf instead of a Z. However, seeing as though we are responsible for building some of GM’s most important new vehicles, Camaro & Equinox, I’ll let it slide this time. And don’t forget, we already own 1% of GM and something like 30% of Chrysler.
11/06, 2:32 PM
posted by:
The Stig
They tied Forster’s appendages to different horses. Then came the vegetables. Obvious result.
11/06, 2:36 PM
posted by:
Borat
The reality it was not Canadian company buying a company. It was Russian tycoon using Canadian company as a front. One of Kremlin “tycoons” (former KGB assets) Deripaska owned 5% of “OLD” GM stock before nationalization of a company and was interested in building international company out of his Russian auto factory. Opel was the best opportunity. I don’t know why and how deal felt through, but I am glad that Kremlin mafia does not own this one. I imagine Mr. Foster arriving to Red Square with “Back to USSR” tune in his ears.
11/06, 2:36 PM
posted by:
greg
With Bob “I Got A BIG Mouth”Lutz taking over as Chaiman of Opel and his confrontational style already has management ranks at Opel up in arms, its spells nothing but turmoil and more bad press for Gov”t Motors… needless to say more financial losses from Europe…
I smell an opportunity for Ford of Europe to capture more marketshare…!
11/06, 3:50 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Thanks for the insight Borat – we need that kind of info on here to get to the root cause of things!
greg – seriously, people like you are the reason why we need more education in this country. Read up about Bob Lutz. If I say it once I’ll say it 1000000 times, he’s not the problem – he’s the solution! The man knows a good car when he sees one and how to market it as well as champoin it with all the executives. Name any successful GM car in the past 3-4 years and Bob had a hand in getting it done.
11/06, 3:54 PM
posted by:
DB9
posted by:greg
// //
I smell an opportunity for Ford of Europe to capture more marketshare…!
________________________________________________
Do you? Do you really Greg? Maybe Borat just has some bad Borscht huh?/! Ever think about that Greg… well?
DB9;-))
PS. Go Bob Go lol:-))
11/06, 3:59 PM
posted by:
superman
Opel is in upheavel and Putz is in charge….sounds dyno-miite!
11/06, 3:59 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Susan Docherty better get used to being in a lot of ‘positions’ if she wants to continue her climb up through GM.
11/06, 7:41 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM is an idiot
GM knows they have nothing without the germans opel brand so they figured they will keep and claim its thier own designs.
Germany. A Revolution.
“Everyone” would rather drive a german car!
11/06, 8:46 PM
posted by:
Sgt Pepper
Yeah go drive your Nazi sled and when it comes time to replace the ignition switch for 400 dollars then you can tell me how great there crap is. It should be great at triple the price.
11/07, 8:02 AM
posted by:
NO more oil for GM is retarded
Can you say backstabbers? GM steals your money and builds pos. One more reason to not buy these pos.
Long live imports
11/07, 3:23 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Sgt Pepper, you’re close. The problem is that thanks to all this globalization the ignition switch on any “Chevy” will eventually cost $400.