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695 views December 6, 2009

2010 Opel Meriva spy shots

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Opel has been in the news a lot over the past year as GM has consistently tried to find a buyer for the European automaker. However, we are now seeing them splashed across the automotive news circuit because of the company’s announcement that they will be making minicars a “top priority.” This news, as it were,, is really in line with the industry trends as I have mentioned in our AllSmallCars.com minicar updates last month.

“In my view Opel needs a mini in today's market, that will be our top priority,” Nick Reilly, CEO of Opel, said on a conference call to reporters this weekend. He continued by saying that Opel is actively looking at introducing a battery-powered electric car to compliment the Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid. For those of you who haven’t followed the cross marketing and production of the GM family of vehicles, the Opel Ampera is the European version of the Chevrolet Volt. Ironically, the Ampera will be made in the U.S. and imported to Europe when it hits the market in 2011, but we are told eventually it will be made in Europe.

Wearing Opel's Flextreme-based brand identity, the seven-seater offers a fresh face to family transport

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The smallest vehicle in the Opel line-up is the Agila. For those of us who aren’t familiar, the Opel Agila is a small minivan offering, which is currently built in Hungry by Suzuki. Of course, this is the same vehicle platform as the Suzuki Splash. Given that we can see why Opel feels they need a new entry into the market, especially to keep up with the competition like the Ford Ka, Volkswagen Up and the ever popular Smart ForTwo.

Bottom line—Magna International Inc., has been reported by Automotive News to be planning to introduce a minicar to the Opel product line for 2012. Even better, it might have a sister model with an electric powertrain.