Opel to launch 20 new models by 2012

Posted Thu May 1 2008 11:34 AM by Ralph Hanson

Yesterday, GM’s European chief Carl Peter Forster confirmed that €9 billion ($14 billion) would be invested in Opel between now and 2012 to help regain lost market share and of this €6.5 has been earmarked for the development of new models and powertrains. According to German media, this investment will spur the development of up to 20 new models for Opel including new hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

The list of new models includes the recently revealed Insignia sedan (pictured), the Meriva MPV (early 2009), next-generation Astra (Q3 2009), Zafira (2010) and Corsa (2011), and all variations of these.

According to Automotive News Europe, the Insignia will spawn a new coupe, a wagon and a crossover. The Astra, meanwhile, will appear as a coupe as well, while the Tigra will be discontinued from next year onwards. The car will be replaced later by a new coupe-convertible based on the compact Corsa. Furthermore, we’ll see the Antara SUV and a new crossover also based on the Corsa.

As for the hybrid and electric vehicles, Opel will develop its own vehicle based on GM’s new E-Flex powertrain from the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.

Opel Insignia Coupe and Estate renderings

2009 Opel Insignia sedan

Gallery: Preview: Opel Insignia Coupe and Estate

Gallery: 2009 Opel Insignia

Reader Comments

Thu May 1 2008 11:47 AM
chris says

I hope they dont call it the Flextreme. sure sure its a great play on words, and definitely establishes the architecture as the E-flex model... but honestly. Flextreme?

at least chevy gets the VOLT. opel should get the AMP to stick with the naming scheme that opel has going now (all vowels to start) and very definitely lets the buyer know where the architecture is coming from.
Thu May 1 2008 12:16 PM
Raptor says

20 new models?

Oh I get it, they're chasing Mercedes and their number of models. Hope they don't run out of names :)
Thu May 1 2008 1:03 PM
chris says

Raptor; like the article mentions, it will be variants of 4 or 5 vehicles. coupes, cabrios, hatch backs, estates, etc. you dont need 20 different names for 4 different variants of 5 different platforms.
Thu May 1 2008 5:53 PM
Alex says

hey if they're all as good looking as the insignia..why not?
Fri May 2 2008 7:09 AM
chris says

correction alex; if they're all that good looking without introducing any more mechanical platforms, then why not. I think raptor needs to realize that not everyone wants 4 door sedans and 2 door coupes.
Fri May 2 2008 9:15 AM
Raptor says

I know that. But I am a little sceptical about Corsa crossover and stuff like that. But who am I to judge... if people want to buy useless cars then let them :)

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