No immediate plans for Opel plant closures

The top echelons of General Motors have decreed that Opel Europe must submit a long-term rescue plan within the next few weeks. There are a number of options on the table. In order to give Opel competitive clout, Vauxhall and Saab could be taken over. Shareholding by other industrial operators is also thinkable.

The parent company in Detroit intends to concentrate on its three core marques in future (Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick) plus its GMC truck division. Before the first quarter of 2009 is over, there should be a decision on whether to wind up or sell off the Hummer division. The company intends to allow the Saturn badge to lapse if a buyer cannot be found. The Swedish Saab subsidiary is to be put up for sale. Talks have already begun with the government in Stockholm. The number of dealerships is also to be reduced by 25 percent to 4,700 by the year 2012.