GM considering re-badged Opel Insignia for Cadillac brand

General Motors has historically used its Saturn brand to sell vehicles from its German Opel division, but, seeing how the Saturn brand won't be around past 2012, the General must find a new way to sneak Opels into the country. Although reports surfaced earlier this month that Buick was earmarked for at least one Opel model, it appears as though GM is mulling one other option.

GM hasn't completely ruled out the revival of the Regal nameplate through the importation of the Opel Insignia, but the idea is losing traction with the company's top brass. Since the all-new LaCrosse - which is architecturally very similar to the Opel Insignia - is already heading to U.S. Buick dealers, the addition of the Regal could overload Buick's mid-size offerings.

To prevent the overstuffing of the Buick brand, GM is mulling adding the Insignia to the Cadillac lineup, according to the Detroit Free Press. Although the Insigni's front-wheel drive layout doesn't necessarily fit in with Caddy's new image, it would give Cadillac a viable option for those wanting a little more surefootedness in snowy climates. The Insignia would also do nicely as a Lexus ES competitor.

In addition to offering Cadillac buyers a little more variety, GM could see higher profits from a Cadillac rather than Buick-badged Insignia. Opel offers the Insignia with a host of costly options - including all-wheel drive and lane departure warning - which would better fit in with Cadillac's pricing scheme.

While it still remains unclear which of GM's brands will stake claim to the Insignia, we could see the European sedan on U.S. roads before the end of the year.