Opel talks with Belgium’s RHJ move froward
July 14, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Belgium’s RHJ International has emerged this week as a strong rival to Magna International in bidding for GMs’ German arm Opel.
The holding firm, which is linked to the US buyout company Ripplewood, said it is in advanced talks to buy a majority stake in Opel and wants to agree on a preliminary deal with GM this week.
“We felt we’ve reached advanced stages of negotiations, and we feel it is now appropriate to confirm these talks,” RHJ spokesman Arnaud Denis said.
RHJ also said it needs a smaller amount of German government guarantees to finance the deal than Magna (3.8 billion euros versus 4.5 billion euros respectively) and is seeking a stake between 51 per cent to 55 per cent of Opel.
Print it: 
If they do that then maybe GM will pull some shifty’s with them and buy Opel back, and we all dont want that. Id rather Opel go to a new home were they will be appreciated for what they are. Anyone can do better than what GM did with them.
Agree Shak, Opel makes very good cars and GM did not realise this. Opel needs to be recognised more!
My wife bought a Holden (Opel) Astra brand new in 2001.
It is the biggest pile of crud I’ve ever seen drive out of a dealership. It’s been rubbish since the day she bought it and I can’t stress enough how expensive and inconvenient a purchase it has been for her.
The first three years it spent a lot of time off the road getting under-warranty repairs, and ever since it has continued to cost us out-of-pocket with ongoing issues and expensive replacement part costs.
Opel, from my experience, are rubbish, and I’d buy a my opinion of them is so low that, if I had to buy a new clone-Holden today, I’d buy a Daewoo based one over an Opel based one. Yes, I consider them that bad!
Ask around… there’s plenty of Vectra owners experiencing the same fate!
Do Opel make good cars? HELL NO! GM have made the right descision. This warranty-pig is a liability they cannot afford.
(… end rant.)
NacaYoda^^^^
All to familiar what you have said about Opel’s.
Not only are they poor quality, but they cost an arm and a leg to fix when they go wrong, which as you found out is FAR TO OFTEN.
You want no brainer, buy Japanese.
Cheers
F-0
nacayoda and frugal,
1.build a bridge
2.move on
holden had a vn.ford had a au.doesn’t mean everybody should drive korean/thai.wasn’t insignia european car of the year.sorry you guys got a “monday” car.they still exist you know…
JEKYL and HYDE – I think Nacayoda and Frugal are not too far of the mark. Whereas the Opel derivatives are nice to drive with good dynamics, when something does go wrong with them they are a bit of a nightmare – I know of two mechanics that despise working on these cars and things like a waterpump failure can lead to an engine rebuild because they run off the same belt and if the belt loosens because of the water pump – bye, bye valves and pistons.
NacaYoda…I have a 2005 Vectra CDXi and it’s never once missed a beat.
Why if you had all those issues did she keep it beyond the warranty?!? No matter what the car that’s a bad move if it’s riddled with problems!
I agree – because of the insular ignorant arrogant small-town mindset at GM [under RW] they only realised the potential that their overseas subsidiaries like Holden and Opel had to offer when it was too late.. [Holden with RWD Opel with FWD cars] even then; they didn’t take full advantage of them.. Hopefully now things will be different
CA where’s the story on GM Holden now being controlled out of CHINA????
What are the implications?
C’mon guys, chase up some details for the readers.
Alex, I also own a 2005 Vectra CDXi (terrific car) and have never had a problem with it. I think Yoda was talking about the older pre ‘03 Vectra models which were indeed horrible with reliability. Newer Opel’s though, as good as any car mechanically – like all cars, care for them and they will last.
Oh and I love the looks I get when I drive my Vectra, average Joe has no idea what car it is. The fact that I have Opel badges on it probably helps out hehe….
Alex and Tim
I also have a 2005 MY05 ZC CDXi Vectra….and love it. I recently had a company VE for six weeks and feel that horses for courses, both are great vehicles. In 3 1/2 years of ZC ownership, I’ve only had normal operating costs with this car. It is solid as a rock, no rattles, buzzes or bits falling off. It is quick, handles beautifully, comfortable (although the ride is a bit jiggly at low speed) and surprisingly economical. And the V6 growl is seductive.
I traded up to my ZC from a manual JSII Vectra 2.0 GL hatch, which was lowered, had 17s, a mild body kit and a couple of other mild mods. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the ride. The stiffer springs made it too hard around town.
It never missed a beat – it was supremely reliable, economical and tight as a drum. I had a Mazda 323 Astina prior to the JSII which must have been one of those Monday cars mentioned before…..It leaked, groaned, faded and cost me a bucket load of money just to keep it on the road. It was an expensive-to-repair and evil car. You name a mechanical or body-related problem, and my Mazda had every single one of them. Even though I know the current crop of Mazdas are excellent cars, I could never, ever bring myself to buy one because of the lingering feelings of despair and disappointment associated with my 323.
So…every brand has them. A complete model line (AU) or a despotic, evil, vengeful, single vehicle out of the box that then makes a consumer wary of the whole brand. Opel is not alone.
NacaYoda says…………..”The first three years it spent a lot of time off the road getting under-warranty repairs, and ever since it has continued to cost us out-of-pocket with ongoing issues and expensive replacement part costs.
Opel, from my experience, are rubbish, and I’d buy a my opinion of them is so low that, if I had to buy a new clone-Holden today, I’d buy a Daewoo based one over an Opel based one. Yes, I consider them that bad!
Ask around… there’s plenty of Vectra owners experiencing the same fate!
Do Opel make good cars? HELL NO! GM have made the right descision. This warranty-pig is a liability they cannot afford.”
Hang on you said that from your experience that Opel’s are bad and then you said…….”Do Opel make good cars? HELL NO!” You answered your own question. What’s the point? Didn’t make any sense. That Opel you had must have been an odd of the lot.
My opinion is and I believe that many others will agree with me as well is that……for General Motors to sell Opel is one of the stupidest ideas they have done or thought of!!!!!!! Opel is probably one of the best companies (or the best company) owned by General Motors and they decide to get rid of it!!!! What the!? I mean sure General Motors have got rid of Pontiac (soon), Saturn, Saab and HUMMER. But why Opel!!!!??????
Opel have done soooooo much for General Motors!!! I’m right aren’t I? Opel have had (still does have) great engineering expertise, quality and design. They’ve done alot for General Motors! They have built cars like the Astra, Vectra, Corsa (used to be our great little barina!) etc. And great wonderfull cars like the upcoming Insigina, but we won’t get that now!!!!
There would not have been a car called the Holden Commodore, if it was not for Opel! Holden looked to Opel for help for the help of the VB Commodore. The first ever Commodore. The basic structure of the VB Commodore was designed by Opel, the platform, most of the bodyshell as well! And if it wasn’t for Opel the Commodore would not be called ‘Commodore’. Because it was originally an Opel name. Holden adopted the name from Opel. Opel have been using the ‘Commodore’ name since 1967.
The same with VN-VS Commodore, the basic mechanicals and design (the bodyshell, Holden obviously slightly changed the design) was Opel. And the same as the VT-VZ generation.
It’s only been from VE onwards that Holden hasn’t had any help from Opel at all with the Commodore.
So could you please tell me why??? Doesn’t make sense.
What have you done General Mottors?!
*General Motors. Lol.
Does anybody else agree with me? I’d like to know.