Opel Working on EV and EREVs For Future Release

By Eric Loveday

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Eric Loveday is a car enthusiast with a love for everything automotive. He purchased a 1970 Chevelle at age 16, quickly outgrew its dated engineering... More

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1,544 views Feb 17, 2010

Opel Ampera

Right now the automotive industry is changing rapidly.  In the electric vehicle category it really appears to be the case that everyone is in.  Joining the other automakers who have already announced upcoming EVs is Opel.  Opel's recent release of their updated business plan shows that green vehicles will be a part of the equation for the future of the company.

Most of us already knew that Opel would release their own version of the 2011 Chevy Volt called the Opel Ampera, but now it appears as though the company has more in the works.  According to Opel Chief Executive Officer Nick Reilly, we can expect another extended range EV from the company sometime after the Ampera comes to market.

In addition to another extended range offering, the company is also reportedly working on a pure electric vehicle for future release.  This EV will fit into the small vehicle segment and could be based on a small city car that the company is expected to unveil at the Paris Motor Show this year.

If Opel does release a pint sized EV soon, it could be a possibility that they would export the vehicle here perhaps as a re-badged GM offering.

In this exploding EV market, are you in or are you out?  Automakers have been added to the in list at an exceedingly high rate and it truly appears that, given time, everyone will be in.

Source:  Opel Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly unveils ambitious Plan for the Future

Product offensive and new investments to put Opel on a sustainable path

o Opel to invest €11 billion by 2014
o Positive assessment of company's plan by independent auditors Warth & Klein
o Opel formally applies for loans or loan guarantees
o New product offensive to utilize Opel design and technology expertise
o Focus on alternative propulsion, desirable core products and growth markets
o Break-even by 2011, profitability expected by 2012
o 20 percent capacity reduction across Europe

Frankfurt/Rüsselsheim. Chief Executive Officer Nick Reilly today announced an ambitious five-year €11 billion Plan for the Future that will reinvigorate 80 percent of Opel/Vauxhall carlines and place a strong emphasis on alternative propulsions.

At the same time, Reilly said the external auditor Warth & Klein judged the plan sound and viable. With this assessment, the company this morning formally applied for loans or loan guarantees from the German government.

"We are extremely pleased that we now have independent confirmation that our plan is sound and will place Opel and Vauxhall on the road to sustainable, long-term profitability," Reilly said. "We now have a road map, we know where we are headed and we are working with all our partners so we can switch into high gear for a successful future."

The viability plan envisions that 80 percent of the Opel/Vauxhall carlines will be at an age of three years or less by 2012. This includes eight major launches in 2010 alone - such as Meriva, Corsa, Movano and Astra Sports Tourer - and another four in 2011, most notably the extended-range electric vehicle Ampera, an industry-first in Europe.

In addition, Opel/Vauxhall will spend €1 billion in innovative and fuel-efficient powertrain technology as it introduces a range of new green products. This includes:

* Launching an extended-range electric vehicle in addition to the Ampera
* Introducing pure battery-electric vehicles in smaller-size segments
* Expanding LPG and CNG applications, start/stop technology and right-sizing of engines.