- GM's newly introduced Opel Astra GTC may find its way from Europe into Buick's U.S. product line.
- GM executives said Opel will work more closely with Buick in developing new vehicles, especially compact and midsize cars, in the future.
- The Astra GTC could be built at an unspecified U.S. GM plant.
RUSSELSHEIM, Germany — General Motors Co.'s newly introduced Opel Astra GTC may find itself sold in the U.S. and badged as a Buick. "I could easily see it as a Buick," Opel's top executive, Karl-Friedrich Stracke, said in a briefing with media and analysts at Opel's Rüsselsheim, Germany, headquarters last week. The briefing followed the official unveiling of the production Astra GTC at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union newly negotiated a contract with GM that further paves the way for the Astra GTC. In announcing details of the contract Tuesday, union officials said GM had committed to build an unspecified compact vehicle at an unspecified plant, creating more than 500 jobs. The Astra is a highly likely candidate.
Stracke and other GM executives said Opel will work more closely with Buick in developing new vehicles, especially compact and midsize cars, in the future. The plan is reminiscent of one developed before GM's 2009 Chapter 11 bankruptcy that had Opel working with GM's now-defunct Saturn brand to develop vehicles adapted for U.S. consumption. In fact, a German-built Saturn Astra sold in the U.S. before the brand was discontinued was a rebadged Opel Astra with little modification — and little success largely due to its hefty price tag as a result of disadvantageous currency exchange rates. It sold for a single model year, 2008.
The Opel Astra GTC unveiled last week was first shown in concept guise at last fall's Paris auto show. Opel followed up with teaser photos released in April with the announcement that Opel and Vauxhall dealers in Europe would begin taking orders in June, and GM has a hefty 15,000 of those orders.
Apart from a modified version of the Delta II platform's front strut and rear twist-beam suspension, the Astra GTC, with its sweeping lines, shares virtually nothing else with the standard-issue Astra, except for the sideview mirrors and antenna. It comes with a choice of one diesel or three gasoline engines, including a range-topping 177-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a six-speed manual transmission. The 2.0-liter common-rail turbodiesel with stop/start technology delivers 162 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque and returns up to 48 mpg. The Astra GTC features a lower ride height and wider track than its siblings, with a fully adaptive sport-tuned suspension. European buyers can choose from seven different wheel designs, in sizes from 17-20 inches.
The Astra GTC is high-tech; Opel filed for 11 patents during its development. Among the high-tech systems and gadgets are the large panoramic windshield, "Opel Eye" front-camera system, Traffic-Sign Recognition, lane-departure warning, Following-Distance Indication, Advanced Forward Lighting and Intelligent Light Ranging.
Prices in Europe range from $31,800-$40,750.
Inside Line says: With Pontiac and Saturn gone from the GM fold, Buick has more room to spread its wings in terms of sporty vehicles like the Astra GTC.
Add A Comment »
tbone85 says:
06:46 AM, 09/24/2011
The very last thing in the universe that GM needs is to support more brands. They need to continue the execution of the actual cars and work on creative marketing plans that supports the surviving brands and customers.
1919diesel says:
12:58 PM, 09/22/2011
This would be a nice complement to the Verano, price the GTC around $25K and the entry level Astra around $23K, and I think you would have a winner... an upscale compact that would help compete against the Focus Titanium, VW GTI, Mazdaspeed 3. I know the Cruze is nice, but not $26K nice and this gives you another way to get younger buyers interested in Buick again.
k55 says:
10:19 AM, 09/22/2011
nice.......and Buick needs to expand their current offerings to bring in younger demographics.
ed124c says:
08:48 AM, 09/22/2011
Why does "Pontiac Astra" sound so much better than "Buick Astra"?
I don't think that Buick should go away-- there are too many people who want the big Buicks. But the Buick dealerships should be able to embrace the smaller Opels and using the Opel brand on them. The bigger Opel/Buicks should remain Buicks.
Another (pathetic, I know) plan would be to reinstate the Pontiac name and start off with a Firebird (hey, the car is right there, isn't it"), the Astra with at least the 220 hp turbo, and the G8. Making Pontiac the poor man's performance GM brand. (I certainly can't afford any of those 500+ hp Cadillacs)
ed341 says:
07:38 AM, 09/22/2011
So this is an eco-hatch that looks like a Mazda 2, has a Buick badge and likely a hefty price tag? Who would buy this?
Is Buick trying to go after the GTI crowd?
zoomzoomn says:
06:56 AM, 09/22/2011
"...a German-built Saturn Astra sold in the U.S. before the brand was discontinued was a rebadged Opel Astra with little modification - and little success largely due to its hefty price tag as a result of disadvantageous currency exchange rates. It sold for a single model year, 2008."
That and they did not give us any of the HOT models. Beyond its looks it was decidedly boring.
nccanuck says:
04:42 AM, 09/22/2011
Quit teasing and do it already...the previous version of this car was already here...Saturn Astra XR, albeit with the lame 1.8 engine...BRING IT
wideturnone says:
04:41 AM, 09/22/2011
I'll reiterate my thoughts (that 1487 clearly had issue with) and state that I think GM should simply dissolve Buick (or save it strictly for the 60+ crowd and China) and bring the Opel name to North America. There is just too much negativity with Buick that I am not sure GM can overcome. Even my 15 year old knows the saying "don't drive behind a Buick". The 60+ year old demographic of Buick is fine to cater to - but don't even bother trying to get several younger generations to buy into it.
I really like the styling of the new Opel's, but when GM puts a Buick badge on them, they make me think about rebadging them and how difficult it would be, each time I see one on the road. Pulling and replacing the steering wheel would be do-able, but I think it might take too much work to get the grill badge changed. I would simply de-badge the back, as I've already done with my Volvo V70R.
jscion says:
10:05 PM, 09/21/2011
Buicks are cool now! This would only add to an already great line of products.
lions208487 says:
09:49 PM, 09/21/2011
I like it, and it could take some sales away from the A3 and C30.
What happened to 1487, did the GM fanboy get banned?