GM hints at possible full-scale comeback to Europe

General Motors has long faced issues in the European market. After years of experiencing losses, as well as weakening sales, the brand earlier this year sold off not only its Vauxhall brand but even the Opel brand. Opel is the main brand name that GM uses in Europe with the exception of the U.K. In the United Kingdom, Vauxhall, a British subsidiary of Opel, uses its very own brand name.

GM had disclosed that its European operations experienced a $257 million loss, the 16th year it had done so. GM would then sell the Opel and Vauxhall brands to the PSA Group in a deal valued at $2.3 billion.
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PUGPROUD - 12/21/2017 8:30:12 PM

0 Boost

Really? I highly doubt it. GM hasn't got the right vehicles in my opinion to take share from others in Europe in any meaningful way and the European market is saturated with models of all types as it is. To succeed in Europe GM would have to take share from others which will not be easily given up in the highly competitive market. Marketing and product development money would be better spent
in China and India and in getting Cadillac back on track.

MDarringer - 12/21/2017 10:41:10 PM

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I've read several reports speculating that GM would return with EVs, but given how xeonphobic Europe is, I'm imagining VW winning the volume game hands down with maybe Toyota in the mix. Europe is a pointless market given its manufacturing overcapacity and being hell bent on propping up 3rd rate brands (Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, etc.).

TomM - 12/22/2017 2:53:06 PM

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Since GM still has limited distribution of some cars - I would guess this answer was to prevent pulling the rug out from under them. GMs major markets - the USA and China - want cars that a not what EUROPE would be happy with. GM would have to plan far into the future - with PLATFORMS - that would again address the needs of Europe before they could consider an attempt.

So - I would suggest that the ONLY way GM might get back into Europe within the next 15-20 years would be if they bought another maker - but the problem with that is there is still too much manufacturing capacity for most of them - and that would only be buying trouble.

Hauerg - 12/28/2017 12:06:10 AM

+1 Boost

Forget it.
They also want to exit Africa and India.
They did own Opel and sold it at the wrong time.
Only way the might come back to Europe is selling Chinese made -electric - cars.
Good luck.