U.S. production planned for next-generation Saturn Astra, German production delayed

Carl-Peter Forster, head of GM Europe, has confirmed that the start of production for the next-generation Opel Astra at the carmaker’s Bochum plant in Germany has been delayed until 2011. The factory at Bochum will be responsible for the wagon version of the Astra and is now scheduled to start building the cars nine months after production of the new model starts at the carmaker’s Ellesmere Port plant in the UK.

The Astra is sold under a variety of different brands in several markets, including Opel in Europe, Saturn in the U.S., Vauxhall in the UK and various other markets, Holden in Australia and Chevrolet in Latin America.

The new model is based around GM’s new Delta platform (the same platform used in the new Chevrolet Cruze global sedan) and will even be produced in the U.S. to take advantage of the low dollar, reports Auto Motor und Sport. The current Saturn Astra is sourced from Belgium.

The new Astra is crucial for GM as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch. It will be available in coupe, three and five-door hatchbacks and wagon, and possibly a sedan, and is expected to first go on sale in Europe in early 2010.

Next-generation Opel Astra spy shots

Next-generation Opel Astra interior spy shots

Next-generation Opel Astra renderings