GM willing to ‘give up’ majority ownership of Opel
March 4, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
General Motors in the United States is struggling and in desperate need of more funding from the U.S. government. Meanwhile, General Motors Europe is in the same boat.
Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson told reporters at the Geneva motorshow that his company will run out of money in the second quarter of this year without assistance from European governments.
Additionally Henderson also mentioned that GM is willing to ‘give up’ (although we sure he means sell for whatever price) it’s majority ownership in German car maker Opel.
“There are no options off the table. We have to be open to legitimate interest,” Henderson said.
GM has owned Opel 80 years! Who would buy Opel? Who should buy Opel?
Print it: 
How about Opel buying Opel shunning GM and getting on with building cars at a profit. Alternatively a manufacturer who needs to reduce their average emmissions output to comply with Euro legislation. Ferarri/Maserati ??
If opel is to seperate from GM, would that be the end of opel sourced holden like the current astra? perhaps we will only be getting commodore and rebadged daewoo in the future.
I reckon Holden will still be able to source Opel products, as Opel have said that even if they separated they still wanted to work closely with GM for platform and parts sharing. I assume that would also apply to GM subsiduaries, unless Opel plan on entering the Australian market as Opel, a little like Isuzu did recently.
I reckon if Opel did split that would leave GM-H with only the Korean product. Can’t see GM Corporate wanting to “buy off” a third party thus increasing the need for cash flow, and I can’t see any new owner of Opel extending GM a line of credit.
As for Opel comming to Aust, that would be years away at present as they would need to concentrate on markets closer to home (volume) first.
Although my first thought was that there should be another badge asscotiated with that group, make it a four cornered company working on small volume niche cars and sharing amongst themselves.
Why are Opel running at such a huge loss?? I thought their small cars were well made, efficient and popular.
Am I missing something here??
GM’s sales fell by 53% in Feb. 09 against a year ago. Its CEO has confirmed to US officials that if GM does not receive additional US$16 billion of bail out, GM will be in insolvency by the end of this month.
The US government has already spent over US$1 trillion bailing out its banks and AIG (insurance) and might need another $1 trillion more just for those banks and AIG. Can it print money fast enough to save GM as well?
Finally opel can be freed from its stupid parent and make the quality ( insignia0 cars that it always has. I hope the insignia comes down here. Idont care what badge it has as long as its godd drive and good quality.
The only logical buyer with the cash to buy Opel is Jeremy Clarkson.
Ha Ha Ha D D, He hates cars that can’t turn corners when the steering wheel is turned..
Shak – I expect the insignia will make it down under eventually.
For starters as the Epsillon platform -on which the Insignia is built was developed under GM ownership if/when Ople breakaway GM will still be able to use the platform as they [apparently] hold the rights to it.
Secondly HSV are looking at adding a couple of new smaller cars to their range including the Corsa and the Insignia. So if HSV can put forward a strong case to import them that may tempt/convince Holden to do the same..
I still think the Insignia is the car Holden should build instead of the new Cruze; as the Cruze is already being built in [cheaper] Korea and the USA whereas the Insignia is only being built in [expensive] Europe.