RSS RSS Twitter Twitter
Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry
 
 

Opel considers flagship model

09/13/2007, 11:57 AM

By Drew Johnson

Opel officials have announced that the automaker is considering launching a new model in the premium segment. GM’s European boss Carl Peter Forster and Opel’s Chief Hans Demant have reportedly given the project the green light. The new model would be positioned above the current Vectra range topper. Opel proposed a flagship model back in 2000 with its Insignia concept.

In an effort to keep development costs down, Opel is considering basing the new model on an existing GM platform. In an interview with AutomobilWoche, Hans Demant admitted that the market for such a car is small but that using an existing platform would help Opel avoid any significant financial risk.

Officials have yet to name which models are being considered for the Opel treatment, although the new Cadillac CTS is believed to be the leading candidate. GM’s Australian arm, Holden, could also be used for the new model.

GM has brought several Opel vehicles to the U.S. under the Saturn brand, but don’t count on seeing a Saturn-badged CTS.

New car price quote

Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
 
 

09/13, 12:23 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

If it looks like the above picture, it could be a winner. But if it’s based on the CTS, it might not make it here as a SATURN. GM has been very steady about keeping the sigma-platform all to CADILLAC and no one else in the US.

But could be what is needed to make the platform more profitable and keep SATURN from being too “me too” amongst the other divisions.

09/13, 12:39 PM

posted by:

sunshine1810

GM, bring Opel to the United States and get rid of Buick.

09/13, 12:49 PM

posted by:

autonut

Gods speed. They do have great design studio. GM could close all studios in states and rely on krauts to design appealing cars. They may not go well with Lutz and his aspirations, but that would be helpful to the company and investors.

09/13, 1:26 PM

posted by:

LuckyLou

Nice one autonut…”krauts” hahahaha…I’m one myself

09/13, 2:37 PM

posted by:

inline6

And how is this going to work with GM’s European strategy? They already have the Saab 9-5, the Cadillac CTS and STS, and the Holden Commodore-based Vauxhall VXR8. So unless it’s an Opel version of that Vauxhall VXR8, I don’t see the logic in doing this.

I thought they dropped the Omega a few years ago because GM decided that its segment wasn’t worth their time.

09/13, 3:11 PM

posted by:

ml350pc

Nice lines but as inline6 noted above, how would this car fit in with Cadillac’s strategy in Europe? Cadillac should be the premium brand regardless of the region!!

09/13, 4:19 PM

posted by:

jackdev73

Hey sunshine1810, they did, its called Saturn. Go check it out.

09/13, 6:16 PM

posted by:

Deanster

GM needs to take a cue from Opel.

Just ****ing ape their designs, can’t go wrong. I showed this pic above to 5 of my friends, a bunch of CTS and 3-series driving guys, and they were all equally impressed with it. Kicks ass. Bringing this to NOrth America to do duty as the new Malibu would be epic for GM.

09/13, 7:42 PM

posted by:

Scott Kempton

Sunshine1810— GM actually had Opel here in the late ’60’s and ’70’s, and they didn’t fly. When they were here, they didn’t have an especially good reputation, so dumping Buick and attempting to launch Opel would almost surely be an uphill battle, at best.

Autonut— MUST you call people names on here? I thought this was supposed to be a forum for talking about cars, not name calling.

09/13, 7:51 PM

posted by:

Commodore

And also – Opel and Buick are not on the same level price-wise. Buick is supposed to be more premium than opel (and its getting there with the enclave). There is a reason Opels are imported as Saturn’s here. I think that they should just replace the Saturn name with the Opel name – sounds better to me,

09/13, 10:13 PM

posted by:

Scott Kempton

Commodore—I like the Opels they’ve been selling here as Saturns also. But I’d have to disagree with you on dumping the Saturn name; they have fifteen years invested in that name by now, and they’re finally on a roll, so again, I think it’d be an uphill battle to try to convince the American public that Saturn was junk, but now Opel is the good stuff.

09/13, 10:52 PM

posted by:

Commodore

You have a good point and I pretty much agree. Unlike some people on here, I shop based on what the best car is, I’m not concerned with the badge (well reputation of the brand is important, but like GM is showing us, companies sometimes make cars that don’t at all go along with their reputation). My whole point was that I don’t like the name Saturn – I also don’t like the names Mercury and Lincoln and some of the new companies Japan has created like Infiniti that attemp to try to sound very American

09/14, 2:17 AM

posted by:

Veda

That’s an interesting topic actually. I wonder why the top brass would come up with Saturn, Mercury, or Infiniti. They are completely generic (planet names?) and don’t invoke any positive elements like luxury or status.

09/14, 3:53 AM

posted by:

MY Si

Isn’t Mercury an element?

09/14, 4:22 AM

posted by:

Rotman

My brain refuses to connect the words Opel & flagship.

09/14, 6:31 AM

posted by:

Get Real

One word answer to this crazy idea:

Phaeton

09/14, 8:34 AM

posted by:

Deanster

There are ebough ****ing douchebags in America to name a line of cars the “Playa” or “Pimp” and pull it off. I can think of 10 or 20 douchebags in their late teens or earlly 20s that would LOVE to own the “Playa XS”

09/14, 9:19 AM

posted by:

autonut

Scott Kempton I did not insult anyone in particular. You should read the love fest going on here. The slur for Germans I used out of literary work during WWI & WWII period. FYI I am equal opportunity offender. PC is not flying high with me.

09/14, 9:26 AM

posted by:

autonut

Opel did not fly here in 70’s & 80’s because they were tiny cars compare to American. Reliability was also a factor. Another point was price/performance. Camaros and Firebirds were $4000 and Opel was the same. But Camaros could blow Opels off the road, not mentioning doors off them. US wasn’t market for Opel, especially when Honda and Toyota brought less prettier but much cheaper cars of the same size and much more reliable for a fraction of the cost.
Now when Hondas and Toyotas are manufactured here and size and price are less of a factor (not completely out of picture) there is prayer for Opel in States, especially disguised in Saturn name.

09/14, 1:31 PM

posted by:

CTS DRIVER

hell yeah dean i thought the same when i saw that pic aboce, i tooks great.

09/15, 3:34 PM

posted by:

BLISS

MAKE IT POSSIBLE AND MAKE INTERESTING.

09/17, 3:29 AM

posted by:

peter g

I like it. Build it!

09/17, 1:17 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

I like that car, but sell it here as a pontiac or something

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?


Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel