GM sells Opel and Vauxhall

cylinder deactivation and all-wheel drive, and 2.0-litre petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines, with a nine-speed automatic and front- or all-wheel drive give the lighter (by as much as 300kg) new Commodore strong on-paper performance and economy credentials.

Australian tuned steering and suspension with the flagship model’s torque vectoring all-wheel drive, dual-clutch rear diff and adaptive dampers promises to give the next-gen Commodore flagship a rear-drive flavour and capable handling to go some way towards making up for the lost bent-eight burble. In

another twist to the uncertainly future faced by Holden, General Motors brands Opel and Vauxhall have been sold to Peugeot and Citroen parent company PSA Group.

Opel and Vauxhall have been loss making brands for GM’s European division and the purchase by PSA is set to return them to profit. The sale makes PSA the second-largest car maker in Europe behind Volkswagen.

The move has medium and longer term implications for Holden’s model line-up. But for the next few years at least, in the wake of the closure of Holden’s Australian manufacturing operations scheduled for October 20 this year, the local GM brand’s models, including the Opel Insignia-derived next-generation Commodore, will be sourced from Opel and Chevrolet.

A statement issued by GM confirmed that the long standing ties between Holden and Opel would continue, and that the Astra and Insignia programs – the latter forming the basis of the 2018 Holden Commodore – “are not affected at all.” The statement also confirmed that existing agreements to supply cars to Holden will continue. However, beyond the life cycle of the current Astra and Insignia, it’s not certain whether Opel supply would continue, or if Chevrolet might become a more logical source of future Holdens, which leaves the Commodore’s long-term future up in the air.

The deal, which included GM’s European financial division, totalled 2.2 billion Euros – approximately AUD$3 billion – and is expected to bring economies of scale in R&D, tooling, purchasing and marketing. AMC is seeking a Sydneysider who has ordered a soon-to-be-built HSV GTSR W1. We’d like to tag along on delivery day for a story we’re planning that documents an owner’s experience of picking up the last Australian muscle car. Contact the editor via amceditorial@chevron.com.au