German zoo finds escaped red pandas Dec 6, 2008
Opel Zoo spokeswoman Margarete Herrmann says the pandas escaped Thursday night from the zoo that is near Frankfurt by climbing bamboo stalks that had cracked and fallen over the top of their outdoor enclosure after recent snowfall. The pandas were found Friday after they crossed a main roadway and hid in a field. (MSNBC -- Politics)
General Motors: Myths And Reality Dec 6, 2008
In Europe, General Motors (nyse: - - ) newest sedan, the Opel Insignia, just won "car of the year" from the Continent's car writers. GM's sales in Brazil and Argentina--574,000 cars and trucks in 10 months--are 20% ahead of last year. (Forbes -- Business)
Iconic Saturn brand could stay on the road beyond GM Dec 4, 2008
Other well-regarded Saturns include the Outlook full-size crossover SUV, the Sky two-seat sports convertible, the Vue compact crossover and compact hatchback Astra from GM's German Opel unit. Gatton said he was so sure of Saturn's future when he bought the Nashville stores that he "paid more for them than I would have paid to get four different Lexus stores." He also owns Saturn outlets in Johnson City, Tenn. (USA Today -- Autos)
Sweden ready to support Volvo, Saab Dec 3, 2008
Ms. Olofsson said Sweden was in contact with the German government about how it plans to deal with GM-owned Opel, noting that Saab and Opel have been closely linked within the GM system. GM and Opel officials have met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to ask the German government for $1. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
General Motors should be making 60 mpg cars in U.S. Dec 3, 2008
What if I told you that General Motors is the car company that currently produces this car in Europe under the Vauxhall and Opel brand names. The car is called the Agila and is rated at a combined fuel economy of up to 62. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
European governments will be long-term bank investors Dec 2, 2008
On top of that, other industries are also crying for help, with Opel, which is the German unit of General Motors, becoming the first European automaker to seek a state bailout, provoking fierce public debate. But the trend toward privatization remains intact, experts say, if only because debt-ridden governments cannot afford to own stakes in these companies for very long.. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
As global auto sales plunge, Ford considers Volvo sale Dec 2, 2008
GM recently began similar talks with the German government concerning Opel. The moves come as Ford, GM and Chrysler are set to present restructuring plans Tuesday to the U.S. Congress in an effort to get loan guarantees. (USA Today -- Autos)
Detroit Bailout Fueling Trade Tensions with Europe Dec 2, 2008
26 billion in loan guarantees for Opel if parent company GM goes under. Meanwhile, the European Investment Bank is set to pledge $2. (Time.com)
Ford Cuts 500 Temporary Jobs in Germany to Trim Output, Die Welt Reports Dec 1, 2008
Ford has sufficient financing and hasnt requested support from the German government like General Motors Corps Opel unit, the newspaper said. To contact the reporter on this story: in Berlin at. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
GM Euro wants to cut labor costs 10% Nov 28, 2008
The company's European brands include Saab, Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Opel. Last week Forster and officials from the company's Russelsheim-based Opel unit met with Chancellor Angela Merkel to ask the German government for 1 bn euros ($1. (India Times)
GM Outlines Plan To Scrap Pontiac, Others Nov 28, 2008
A memo obtained by the Associated Press described GM's strategy for cuts in Europe, where GM's brands include Saab, Vauxhall, and Opel. In the US GM has eliminated more than 75,000 jobs since 2000. (New York Post -- Business)
Suzuki Sees GM Bankruptcy as "100 Percent" Impossible Nov 26, 2008
The partnership between GM and the Japanese small-car maker goes back 27 years, and still involves more than 10 joint projects including Suzuki's production of Opel brand cars and joint ownership of a factory in Argentina. GM, which is seeking a government bailout, posted a deeper-than-expected loss for the third quarter in early November and warned it would run desperately short of cash by early next year without government support. (ABC News -- Wire)
Dimming hope for European auto giants Nov 25, 2008
Production continues: Despite drops in demand, cars continue to roll off the line at Opel's headquarters in Germany ... Last week, Opel, Germany's third-largest car producer and a GM subsidiary, became the first European carmaker to seek government help. (Christian Science Monitor)
Europe ready to help its carmakers if Detroit's Big 3 get a bailout Nov 24, 2008
At work: An employee works on a Corsa at an Opel assembly plant in Germany. Opel could get loan guarantees if GM goes under ... 26 billion in loan guarantees for Opel if parent company GM should go under. (USA Today -- Money)
EU Antitrust Chief Says Auto Industry Bailout Would Deepen Economic Woes Nov 22, 2008
In Germany, General Motors Corp.s Opel unit has asked the government for more than 1 billion euros ($1 ... German Chancellor said her government will decide on Opels unit by Christmas ... The state government in Hesse, where Opel employs 15,000 people, agreed to give the company and regional parts suppliers loan guarantees of as much as 500 million euros. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
EU warns against car subsidy race Nov 22, 2008
General Motors has been seeking support from the German government for its local subsidiary, Adam Opel GmbH. ... GM is demanding state aid from the five German states where it manufactures its European brand, Opel, which sells under the Vauxhall badge in the UK.. (BBC News -- Europe)
U.S. auto bailout may trigger trade disputes Nov 22, 2008
Chancellor Angela Merkel said the German government would decide by Christmas on a request from Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors, for more than 1 billion in credit guarantees. The state government in Hesse, where Opel employs 15,000 people, agreed to give the company and regional parts suppliers loan guarantees of as much as 500 million. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Opel hopes to avert restructuring crisis Nov 22, 2008
Ruesselheim, Germany - Following a decision by Opel workers to return to work after nearly a week of walkouts, management and labour representatives for the German car maker met on Thursday to resolve the company's current crisis. Top of the agenda were the plans by Opel's US parent General Motors for massive job cuts in Europe and in Germany in particular ... The negotiations are expected to last weeks as management and unions hammer out ways of keeping redundancies to a minimum and seek... (Business Report, South Africa)
GM picks Opel unit for mid-size cars Nov 22, 2008
Frankfurt - General Motors, the world's biggest car maker, has chosen its German unit Opel over Swedish subsidiary Saab to make its mid-size cars in future, the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported on Monday. The decision will guarantee, at least until 2010, the future of Opel's main German site in Ruesselsheim near Frankfurt, the newspaper said ... Ruesselsheim was competing with Saab's Trollhaettan plant to build GM's new mid-size cars in Europe, including Opel's Vectra model and... (Business Report, South Africa)
Opel may cut 1 000 Astra jobs - labour Nov 22, 2008
General Motors' German unit, Adam Opel, could cut another 1 000 jobs in Europe because of slowing demand for its Astra compact, labour representatives said yesterday. Rainer Einenkel, the head of the works council at Opel's factory in Bochum, said the car maker was considering axing one shift at one of three plants making the Astra ... Opel said it had no current plans to cut a shift but added it could "adjust production capacity to customer demand" in future as the latest Astra model ages. (Business Report, South Africa)
Opel Dealers Have Met to Discuss Possible Bid for Company, Welt Reports Nov 21, 2008
Opel Dealers May Bid for GM's German Operations, Welt Says ... Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- German auto dealers met on Nov. 18 to discuss making a bid for Opel division in order to secure payment, reported without saying where it got the ... There are around 1,000 Opel dealerships in Germany, which are owed a figure in the single-digit million euros range by Opel, which has already asked the government for financial aid, the newspaper said. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
EU competition chief: avoid car subsidy race Nov 21, 2008
Germany is considering giving Opel 1 billion ($1 ... EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said early this week that some special measures are justified to keep troubled car maker Adam Opel GmbH in business, but only if it would make the whole car industry more competitive and environment-friendly. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
* World Business Quick Take Nov 21, 2008
Opel not for sale: GM. General Motors (GM) said on Thursday its German Opel nameplate is not for sale despite the perilous situation of the US auto giant ... Tom Wilkinson, a GM spokesman said that some global brands like Opel are so integrated into GMs global operations, we would not or could not sell them. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
* Solar power group makes suprise bid for Opel Nov 21, 2008
Solar power group makes suprise bid for Opel ... German solar power group SolarWorld took the struggling auto sector by surprise on Wednesday with a takeover bid for troubled General Motors German car unit Opel ... 26 billion) for Opel and create the first green European automotive group in a move that had analysts reaching for calculators and scratching their heads. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Automakers in Europe also look for bailout Nov 21, 2008
An autoworker works on an Opel Corsa at an assembly plant in eastern Germany ... It cited Opel, a unit of cash-strapped General Motors, as a possible emergency case ... 5 billion) in soft loans, while Opel separately is negotiating aid with the German government. (USA Today -- Autos)
EU and US vehicle industry woes deepen Nov 21, 2008
Senior EU officials had said on Wednesday that European car makers might need financial aid from the bloc and its governments, with General Motors unit Opel seen as a possible emergency case. European car companies have asked for 40 billion in soft loans, while Opel is negotiating aid with the German government. (Business Report, South Africa)
Pass the plate Nov 20, 2008
The previous day, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, had met executives of GM s European subsidiary, Opel, to discuss guaranteeing a 1 billion liquidity line in the worst case of its parent company in America going bankrupt. Despite the appearance of similarity on both sides of the Atlantic, however, there are big differences. (The Economist)
For studio, vampire movie is a Cinderella story Nov 20, 2008
That kind of money especially for a film that cost just $37 million to produce propels to the center of Hollywood a studio known for obscurities like "P2," a horror movie set in a parking garage, and "Sex Drive," about a loser who works in a doughnut shop ... German solar company SolarWorld makes an offer to buy the factories of troubled carmaker Opel from parent Gene. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Another day, another heart-stopping Dow plummet Nov 20, 2008
3 billion dollar bid by Germany's SolarWorld to buy the German carmaker Opel from General Motors has not been kind ... Another analyst noting that Opel's workforce was 16 times the size of SolarWorld's ... And for what it's worth, a spokesperson for GM maintained that Opel, which has been part of "is not for sale.". (Salon)
German solar company bids for GM's Opel Nov 20, 2008
Solarworld, Germany's third- largest solar company, will offer to buy the German operations of General Motors Corp.'s Opel division and transform it into a green carmaker ... 9 billion) to compensate it for taking over Opel's 25,700 German workers, the Bonn-based company said in a statement ... Solarworld said it could make 250 million euros in cash available and provide 750 million euros in credit lines, pending government approval, to acquire Opel's four German factories and GM's development... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
We need government help too, says motor industry Nov 20, 2008
5bn) in soft loans and a German solar-panel maker has tabled a bid for the German plants of GM's Opel subsidiary. The SMMT and the RMIF have put forward the idea of accessing the banking financial support package as one of the measures that have been sent to the chancellor, Alistair Darling, and the business and enterprise secretary, Lord Mandelson. (guardian.co.uk)
Solar company announces bid for General Motors subsidiary Opel Nov 20, 2008
MUNICH, Germany In the wake of the financial crisis, General Motors is in trouble and so is its German subsidiary Adam Opel AG, one of Europe's largest car makers. Now photovoltaics vendor Solarworld AG (Bonn, Germany) has submitted a takeover bid for Opel ... Solarworld has contacted General Motors with the surprising offer to take over Opel's four German factories plus its design center, based in Ruesselsheim near Frankfurt. (EETimes)
News highlights Nov 20, 2008
SolarWorld AG, the German solar energy company with a plant in Hillsboro, said Wednesday it plans to offer 1 billion euros in cash and credit for some assets of carmaker Adam Opel GmbH, the German subsidiary of financially strapped General Motors Corp. GM said it wasn't selling. Bonn-based SolarWorld said in a statement that it was planning to offer GM 250 million euros, or $350 million, in cash and another 750 million euros, or $945 million, in credit lines in a bid for four German production... (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
Amby cars rule the roost during polls Nov 20, 2008
His colleagues Subhash Chopra and Kiran Walia drive sedans -- Chopra owns a Skoda Octavia and Walia an Opel Astra. But while luxury cars hold their own place of pride, it's the old and sturdy Ambassador car that most politicians list as their all time favourite - at least when it comes to work. (Sify.com, India)
Deflation looms as new threat to China Nov 20, 2008
7 percent in February, propelled by rapid economic growth and surging global prices of oil and other commodities ... German solar company SolarWorld makes an offer to buy the factories of troubled carmaker Opel from parent Gene. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Peugeot cuts more jobs as Sarkozy vows to help carmakers Nov 20, 2008
Senior EU officials had said on Wednesday European carmakers may need financial aid from the bloc and its governments, with General Motors unit Opel seen as a possible emergency case ... European auto firms have asked for 40 billion euros in soft loans, while Opel is negotiating aid with the German government ... German solar company SolarWorld makes an offer to buy the factories of troubled carmaker Opel from parent Gene. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Street Dulls LDK Solar's Shine Nov 20, 2008
Elsewhere in the solar world, shares of the German solar energy company SolarWorld tanked on Wednesday, after it announced plans to buy four plants from General Motors' German subsidiary Opel and create Europe's first "green" auto firm. (See ). (Forbes -- Markets)
Fiat CEO warns against aid to US carmakers Nov 19, 2008
27 billion) in loan guarantees to the GM subsidiary Opel, voiced similar concerns during a meeting with Premier Silvio Berlusconi Tuesday in the northern city of Trieste ... Germany says it is ready to help the troubled carmaker Opel, a unit of U.S. automaker General Motors, and prov. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
China wary of unrest as banks and carmakers seek funds Nov 19, 2008
The EU is studying support for its carmakers and signalled support for a German offer to help the Opel unit of GM. But others said there could be no special treatment ... Germany says it is ready to help the troubled carmaker Opel, a unit of U.S. automaker General Motors, and prov. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Carmakers demand access to state funds Nov 19, 2008
The European Union is also looking into supporting its carmakers after General Motors' Opel unit asked the German government for state aid ... Germany says it is ready to help the troubled carmaker Opel, a unit of U.S. automaker General Motors, and prov. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
German group SolarWorld bids 1bln euros for Opel Nov 19, 2008
26-billion-dollar) takeover bid for Opel, a unit of US General Motors, which would create the "first green European car company.". A SolarWorld statement said the company would offer 250 million euros in cash and 750 million euros in bank credits for Opel's four auto plants and a research centre in Ruesselsheim, near Frankfurt in western Germany ... Opel It attached several conditions to the deal however, including a complete split of Opel from GM, which is threatened with bankruptcy, and... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Automakers plead for help, markets fear sector's collapse Nov 19, 2008
German carmaker Opel, a division of General Motors, is to cut production next year and is mulling a 30-hour work week, directors told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper ... Opel has already asked the German government to guarantee loans it might need if the US parent group goes bankrupt, and Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will make a decision on the request before the end of December ... 26 billion US dollars) for Opel. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
DVLA for Sale Nov 18, 2008
Investigations by the Enquirer has it that, similar deal was done four ago, by DVLA when one Mr Oppong, a man who used to drive a rickety Opel saloon car but now cruises in a VW Toureg was handpicked and given the section dealing with the testing of headlights at the DVLA. The headlight testing is done at the premises of the DVLA while the gh2. 00 per every inspection goes to this private man, who has made so much money and has established a multi billion garage. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
GM asks German government for credit guarantee... Nov 18, 2008
Merkel said a decision on helping the GM unit Opel might be made before Christmas ... As top Detroit auto executives prepared to make their most intense plea for aid to Congress on Tuesday, General Motors also pleaded Monday for a 1 billion credit guarantee from the German government to help its Opel subsidiary. (The Drudge Report)
Bail-out for GM's Opel unit in doubt Nov 18, 2008
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after meeting with leaders of Adam Opel GmbH that it was "not yet determined" whether the carmaker would be given 1 billion euro ($1 ... Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors, is seeking the guarantees because the company expects difficult credit conditions on the open market due to the world financial crisis ... "We were unanimous that if such a bailout did take place, the funding would have to stay in Germany with Opel GmbH.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
EU eyes auto aid but no blank cheques Nov 18, 2008
EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen signalled support for a German offer to help the Opel unit of stricken U.S. auto firm General Motors , but others in Brussels insisted there could be no special treatment for the auto industry ... 5 percent to just over 1 million vehicles, dragged down by extremely poor results at the Peugeot, Opel, Renault and Toyota ... Germany became the first country on to offer help to one of its carmakers on Monday, offering to support Opel. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Auto crisis repeats British experience Nov 18, 2008
Now, with Ford Motor and General Motors edging closer to a government bailout in the United States, and the GM subsidiary Opel in Germany appealing to Berlin for help, analysts across Europe say they can't help being reminded again of British Leyland ... In Berlin on Monday, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said her government would consider a request by Opel for financial help and reach a decision by Christmas ... Opel is seeking more than 1 billion in credit guarantees, according to... (International Herald Tribune)
Banking giant slashes 50,000 jobs Nov 18, 2008
Across the Atlantic, desperate executives of German automaker Opel turned to Chancellor Angela Merkel for government help in case US parent company General Motors goes bankrupt. Opel said on Friday it needed the German state to guarantee more than one billion euros (1 ... Merkel said after meeting Opel managers in Berlin that "by Christmas" the finance and economy ministries would decide, together with representatives of the four states where Opel has plants, if it would provide such a... (The Age, Australia -- Business)
Recession fears deepen as Citigroup slashes 50,000 jobs Nov 18, 2008
In Germany, executives of German automaker Opel turned to Chancellor Angela Merkel for government help in case its US parent company General Motors goes bankrupt. Opel said Friday that it needed the German state to guarantee more than one billion euros (1. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Merkel Will Meet Opel Chiefs to Discuss Request for German Loan Guarantees Nov 17, 2008
Merkel to Meet With GMs Opel Managers Over Plea for Funding ... Nov. 17 (Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor will hold crisis talks today with executives of General Motors Corp.s Opel unit, which is asking for loan guarantees as its U.S. parent struggles for survival ... Merkel has invited the heads of Opel in Germany and Europe as well as the divisions works council chief for talks in the Chancellery in Berlin. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Steinbrueck Sees No General Program for Car Industry, Bild-Zeitung Reports Nov 17, 2008
German Chancellor will hold crisis talks today with executives of General Motors Corp.s Opel unit, which is asking Germany for loan guarantees as its U.S. parent struggles to survive. To contact the reporter on this story: in Frankfurt at. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Germany to discuss Opel guarantee Nov 17, 2008
BERLIN German government officials were to discuss conditions of a possible loan guarantee for General Motors' subsidiary Adam Opel GmbH on Monday at a meeting with company executives. Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck and Economy Minister Michael Glos were to hold talks with Opel managers, including employee council chief Klaus Franz, at the chancellery later in the day ... On Saturday, worker representatives and union leaders at Opel sought to allay fears about the... (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Japan slips into recession after lacklustre G20 Nov 17, 2008
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to hold crisis talks with executives at car maker Opel, which has said it needs state guarantees for its bank loans as its US parent company, General Motors, struggles to stave off bankruptcy. But German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck ruled out a financial rescue package for the auto sector. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Germany considers aiding GM's Opel Nov 17, 2008
Germany considers aiding Opel - International Herald Tribune. Germany considers aiding Opel ... The German government is ready to talk with the troubled carmaker Adam Opel, officials said in remarks published Sunday, but it would not offer blanket aid to entire industries suffering because of the financial crisis. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Japan enters recession, markets sceptical about G20 Nov 17, 2008
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to hold crisis talks with executives at car maker Opel, which has said it needs state guarantees for its bank loans as its US parent company General Motors struggles to s tave off bankruptcy. But German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck ruled out a financial rescue package for the auto sector. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Union Says Opel Has No Liquidity Problems Nov 16, 2008
Worker representatives and union leaders at automaker Adam Opel GmbH sought to allay fears about the company's solvency Saturday, saying Opel's appeal for loan guarantees from the government is just a precaution. They also assured workers not "one cent" would be drained from Opel to prop up struggling U.S. parent company General Motors Corp ... On Friday, Opel said it would seek the guarantees for an unspecified amount from the federal government and from the governments of the four states where... (ABC News -- Wire)
Opel halting production in Poland Nov 16, 2008
Carmaker Opel's factory in southern Poland will temporarily halt production because of lower demand in Europe amid the global financial crisis, an official said ... 6 per cent between July and September, said Wojciech Osos, a spokesman for General Motors Poland, which owns Opel. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Merkel invites Opel leaders to talks Nov 16, 2008
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited leaders from automaker Opel to talks to discuss the company's financial status ... Merkel invited the German and European heads of Opel, as well as workers' representatives ... Opel has not named a sum for the guarantees it is seeking. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
* Germany examines Opel request for loan guarantees Nov 16, 2008
Germany examines Opel request for loan guarantees ... Germany is examining the carmaker Opels request for government credit guarantees, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck said ... Opel X a unit of General Motors Corp, which itself is seeking a US government bailout X said earlier on Friday that it wanted the loan guarantees from German federal and state governments after a sharp downturn in orders but insisted it did not need cash injections. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
GM's German Opel Division Seeks Loan Guarantees From German Government Nov 15, 2008
GM's Opel Unit Seeks Loan Guarantees From Germany (Update1) ... Nov. 14 (Bloomberg) -- 's Opel unit is asking German authorities for loan guarantees as its parent seeks a U.S. government bailout to stay in business ... The goal of the current talks is to ready security for additional loans because the global financial situation of parent company General Motors has worsened,'' , head of GM's works council, said today in a statement distributed by Ruesselsheim, Germany-based Opel's press... (Bloomberg -- Germany)
A Look at Economic Developments Around the World Nov 15, 2008
WIESBADEN, Germany Car maker Adam Opel GmbH, a unit of General Motors Corp., said it will seek loan guarantees from German authorities as the financial crisis grips the European auto industry. The Economy Ministry in Berlin said it was already in contact with Opel, which employs approximately 25,000 workers in Germany. (ABC News -- Wire)
Europe car sales in steep decline Nov 15, 2008
We want to safeguard the competitiveness of Opel in this globally difficult situation. Hans Demant managing director, Opel ... GM is demanding state aid from five German states where it manufactures its continental European brand, Opel. (BBC News -- Europe)
Microsofts Windows Live: From Now on, its Social. Nov 15, 2008
Automobile manufacturer Opel said Friday it was seeking credit guarantees from the German government, but not cash injections, following a sharp downturn in orders. Sources told Deutsche. (eFluxMedia)
Europe car sales plunge as EC warns U.S. on bailout Nov 14, 2008
Among the top five manufacturers by market share, General Motors, with brands such as Opel and Vauxhall, took the biggest hit, down 25. 2 percent. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
GM's Opel unit seeks help from Germany Nov 14, 2008
FRANKFURT A spokesman for automaker Adam Opel GmbH, which is owned by General Motors, says the company will seek help from the German government as the financial crisis grips European car makers. Company spokesman Joerg Schrott told The Associated Press that a guarantee was being sought but did not elaborate. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
