Opel / Vauxhall Announce New Small Car below the Corsa, Confirm Sporty Coupe and Small SUV

<a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2010/09/opel-vauxhall-announce-new-small-car.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520114579359550498" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJti9o4uTCI/AAAAAAADVC0/T21haT5XIdM/s800/Opel-Ann-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 645px; height: 349px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Speaking at a press conference in Eisenach on Thursday, Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly revealed plans to build an all-new small car below the Corsa, with production set to start in 2013 at the firm's Eisenach plant in the east German state of Thuringia. "This new product will be an important element in our growth strategy" said Reilly.<br /></span><p><a name="more"></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The car is expected to go up against Ford's Fiat 500-based Ka and the forthcoming Volkswagen Up mini. According to an official statement from <a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/search/label/Opel">Opel</a>, the as of yet unnamed city car will be geared towards customers who need "a small-sized fuel-efficient car in urban areas, but who do not want to compromise on technology, design or convenience".<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJti3dYFVDI/AAAAAAADVCs/rptDKEdQUic/s1600/Opel-Ann-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520114473190642738" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJti3dYFVDI/AAAAAAADVCs/rptDKEdQUic/s200/Opel-Ann-2.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 98px;" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The company added that the mini may also form the base for an all-electric, battery-powered version at a later stage.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">GM's European unit said it will invest €90 million (approximately US$120 million) to manufacturer the small car on an existing production line alongside the Corsa at its Eisenach factory. According to the automaker, the decision to build the small car in Eisenach also benefits the Opel/Vauxhall's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza, Spain as it will receive additional Corsa production volume.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In addition to the announcement on Opel's future small car, Reilly also confirmed the automaker's plans to introduce a sporty coupe and small SUV to the firm's vehicle lineup.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Along with other new vehicles, such as the upcoming electric Ampera [<a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/search/label/Opel%20Ampera">see here</a>], a sporty coupe and a small SUV, we will significantly expand our product lineup in the future and offer customer choices in several more segments," said Reilly without getting into specifics.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJti0H7TrPI/AAAAAAADVCk/QuW3EpTUtos/s1600/Opel-Ann-3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520114415893196018" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJti0H7TrPI/AAAAAAADVCk/QuW3EpTUtos/s400/Opel-Ann-3.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a></p>

Opel / Vauxhall Announce New Small Car below the Corsa, Confirm Sporty Coupe and Small SUV

Speaking at a press conference in Eisenach on Thursday, Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly revealed plans to build an all-new small car below the...

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Opel Unveils Vivaro e-Concept Hybrid Van at IAA Hannover Show [with Video]

<a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2010/09/opel-unveils-vivaro-e-concept-hybrid.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519722258869186706" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn-JlK28JI/AAAAAAADU0U/hxlA7JtK484/s800/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+0.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 645px; height: 349px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Opel has taken the wraps off its Vivaro e-Concept plug-in electric van at the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover, Germany. The one-off concept was built to demonstrate the benefits of electrification to commercial vehicle operators.<br /></span><p></p><a name="more"></a><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The <a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/search/label/Opel%20Vivaro">Vivaro's</a> 111 kw (149 hp) electric motor delivers 370 Nm of torque and a pure electric range of 100 km (62 miles). An unspecified range extender (possibly one of Opel's common rail turbodiesels) gives the van an additional 300 km (186 mile) range.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">By storing the lithium ion batteries under the floor, Opel can offer 5 cubic metres (177 cubic feet) of storage space and the ability to haul 750 kg (1650 lbs) of payload. As with most plug-in vehicles, the batteries can be charged through a standard 230 volt socket.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:black;">Chris Lacey, Executive Director of International Operations at Opel / Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles</span> explains the benefits of the e-Concept:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Electric mobility will allow [commercial vehicle operators] to travel in city areas which are now off-limits to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and the range-extender technology makes it possible to use an electric van for normal routine business."<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">By Tristan Hankins</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></p><p><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/66fFt-ElCf8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/66fFt-ElCf8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">___________________________________________________________________</span><br /></span></p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9oSa8CBI/AAAAAAADU0M/O2j_I6tCe-4/s1600/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519721686900672530" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9oSa8CBI/AAAAAAADU0M/O2j_I6tCe-4/s200/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+7.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9oTflajI/AAAAAAADU0E/tZKlkQ36vqk/s1600/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519721687188597298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9oTflajI/AAAAAAADU0E/tZKlkQ36vqk/s200/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+6.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9oHv-x6I/AAAAAAADUz8/rIE8nnPisZc/s1600/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519721684036143010" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9oHv-x6I/AAAAAAADUz8/rIE8nnPisZc/s200/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+5.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9n219xGI/AAAAAAADUz0/kakxcy_25OA/s1600/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519721679497839714" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9n219xGI/AAAAAAADUz0/kakxcy_25OA/s200/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+4.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9no33bvI/AAAAAAADUzs/WhE06FwETZY/s1600/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519721675747716850" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9no33bvI/AAAAAAADUzs/WhE06FwETZY/s200/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+3.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9ndhDWPI/AAAAAAADUzk/-X9Il1CXg2k/s1600/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519721672699238642" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJn9ndhDWPI/AAAAAAADUzk/-X9Il1CXg2k/s200/Opel+Unveils+Vivaro+e-Concept+2.jpg" style="float: left; 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Opel Unveils Vivaro e-Concept Hybrid Van at IAA Hannover Show [with Video]

Opel has taken the wraps off its Vivaro e-Concept plug-in electric van at the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover, Germany. The on...

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