Autoblog UK

By the end of May, General Motors wants to make a decision about who the purchasers of Opel will be. According to General Motors, there are several interested parties, of which two are already known to the public i.e. Fiat and Magna. Apparently, it is all pending a political decision and a European partner is being sought. Within the scope of its salvation package, General Motors is attempting to prevent closing factories, while improving turnover. Production is to be reassigned within European plants and further sales markets targeted are Russia, Africa and Asia.

The German Opel works in Rüsselsheim could soon profit from the new plans. The Buick LaCrosse, which is related to the Opel Insignia is planned to be built in Germany for the US market from summer 2009 as it was not possible to convert the US works in Fairfax to handle production yet. 70,000 units are planned for the first two years.

Back home in the States, Buick are under threat of closure, but it did not stop them from showing their new business concept car at the Shanghai Motor Show: maybe reason to assume that they are fishing for Chinese investors? General-Motors subsidiary Buick's showpiece was a luxury van with a length of 5.3 metres. The vehicle is certainly impressive with its six single seats that slide on rails. The seats in the second row can be turned around and an adjustable table provides room for 'mobile meetings'.

With 2.4 litres of cubic capacity, the engine is a touch on the small side by US standards, but it's backed up by an electric motor, thus making the Buick 'Bizmobile' a hybrid. Inside, passengers can experience a 'Space Shuttle' atmosphere with subdued blue-lit instruments and other colour-coordinated lighting effects. The vehicle was created by Buick designers specifically with the Chinese market in mind and is to provide a view of the future series vehicles.

German General Motors subsidiary Opel is working on an alliance with sister brand Buick. It is widely-known that the most important marques in terms of group sales volume are Buick and Opel. Buick is of great importance because of its strong presence in China and the USA and activities between Opel and Buick would be a sensible solution.

For the German Opel marque, cooperation with Buick would in turn be advantageous, taking into account the critical state of the global car industry and the problems being experienced by parent company General Motors. With Buick, Opel - and ultimately GM Europe - would be able to open new growth opportunities. With the current slack period, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Opel to keep its plants running at capacity and every new order would be a step towards keeping the marque from going into a tailspin.

Chinese production of the Buick Regal can be seen in the gallery: