The Opel Meriva concept was unveiled Tuesday at Geneva and will replace the current top-selling Meriva in Europe. While parent GM released no official word of the four-seat hatchback joining the Saturn line-up in North America, insiders say the car is under consideration.
Executives familiar with Saturn’s product plan told Automotive News the Meriva is being assessed for America. But GM first must assess whether a business case can be made to bring a hatchback to the United States, where hatchbacks typically have not been big seller
GM’s vice president of global program management, Jon Lauckner, says Europe’s crossover market, compared to the one in the U.S., isn’t very populated, which is why the hatchback has a role in Europe.
The front-wheel drive hatchback features rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors for the back seat passengers Opel is calling flex doors. GM says this rare feature, shared only with the Rolls Royce Phantom, will be a welcomed feature by families, as it should make getting in and out easier. Jean-Phillipe Kempf, a GM spokesman, promises the doors will see production.
Historically, hatchbacks haven’t sold well in North America, but GM seems to be ignoring that trend, as it recently added the Saturn Astra to North America. The re-branded Opel only comes in either a 3- or 5-door body style.
