Next Opel Corsa to be sold in U.S

[Biker16]

Next Opel Corsa to be sold in U.S.

 

David Sedgwick | | / October 2, 2006 - 1:00 am

 

 

 

 

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PARIS -- In a startling affirmation of America's embrace of small cars, General Motors has decided to sell the next-generation Opel Corsa in the United States.

 

The small car "will very definitely go to the United States," Bob Lutz, GM's global product chief, said in an interview last week at the Paris auto show. GM plans to badge it as a Saturn.

 

But it will be awhile before the Corsa arrives. GM has just introduced a redesigned Corsa in Europe, so it will be five years or so before the next-generation Corsa enters showrooms. Because of currency fluctuations, GM would have to produce it in North America. Lutz said GM is planning for 80,000 to 100,000 units annually.

 

The Saturn brand already features several Opel-designed cars. The Corsa fits Saturn's image as a brand that features modestly priced, fuel-efficient vehicles.

 

But just a few years ago, most industry observers would have dismissed the Corsa as too small for Americans.

 

That attitude began to change after the successful introductions of the Mini, Scion xB, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. The Corsa will fit that fast-growing segment, Lutz says.

 

The next-generation Corsa likely will be about the size of the current one, which is smaller than the Yaris.

 

"The U.S. market has undergone a huge change," explained Lutz, who has championed the sale of Opel-designed vehicles in the United States.

 

GM hasn't chosen a production site yet. But because the low-priced Corsa carries tight profit margins, Mexico seems likely.

[Guest Sixcav]

Clearly ment to sell some of those hatchbacks that are, . . . . what was it someone here called them? "Gay", was it?

 

That attitude began to change after the successful introductions of the Mini, Scion xB, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. The Corsa will fit that fast-growing segment, Lutz says.

 

Gee now let's see, I believe it was Ford that recently just decided to drop the hatch from the Focus lineup wasn't it?

 

Hmmm, fast growing segment, yeah, lets drop the hatch. Another brilliant move. Once again GM will beat them to the punch and Ford will spend 4 years playing catch up. Is there no end to this dark night? lol

[Guest Sixcav]

Was there ever official word from Ford that they were dropping the hatches?

 

Dunno Pioneer. I thought there was but I could be wrong about that. Maybe they haven't dropped it. I think they need to work on making it as appealing as some of the other hatch offerings on the market.

[sa_seahawker]

So does anyone have a picture of this turd, or what?

[RichardJensen]

This makes more sense than the Aveo.

 

And, no, Ford has not officially confirmed the cancellation of the Focus hatch or wagon. The last 2007 Focus wagon is being built in December.

[NLPRacing]

This makes more sense than the Aveo.

 

And, no, Ford has not officially confirmed the cancellation of the Focus hatch or wagon. The last 2007 Focus wagon is being built in December.

 

Maybe not "officially", but with not seeing a single wagon mule and with this info from the Ford Fleet website, it doesn't look good for the ole'wagon. It pretty much says the wagon is done. But, we haven't seen a single 3 or 5 door HB mule either, but this quote says that they are "high-volume" models. Now I'm more confused...

 

Final orders for Focus Wagon due by November 20th

Consumer demand for small fuel-efficient cars is up, so we have increased production of Focus to meet that demand, and we're aligning our resources around the high-volume models, the 4-door sedan and 3 and 5-door hatchbacks. Therefore, the 2007 Focus wagon will go out of production in December of this year. The wagon model has consistently been the lowest volume model of the lineup, with approximately 8% of the total volume, therefore with renewed consumer interest in small cars due to higher gas prices, we want to align our product offerings with customer demand.

 

So does anyone have a picture of this turd, or what?

 

You can see it here.

Edited October 3, 2006 by NLPRacing

[igor]

So GM says they will bring over a car IN 5 YEARS and it is news...

 

Ford says they will bring a Fiest over in 2-3 and people go ho-hum too late ..

 

am I the only one who sees it?

 

Igor

[RichardJensen]

I would be a bit surprised if the five door hatch is going away. It's not a tough conversion from the five-door sedan (the structural integrity is not severely compromized by a hatch--if properly designed, you have a brace built into the hatch that provides rigidity when the hatch is closed, by fitting in with the structure of the C pillars on either side).

 

Thanks for the info on the Focus wagon.

[NLPRacing]

I would be a bit surprised if the five door hatch is going away. It's not a tough conversion from the five-door sedan (the structural integrity is not severely compromized by a hatch--if properly designed, you have a brace built into the hatch that provides rigidity when the hatch is closed, by fitting in with the structure of the C pillars on either side).

 

Thanks for the info on the Focus wagon.

 

Look like Leftlane News checks these forums... Link

[630land]

Will the year 2011 Corsas for the US be built in Korea, Brazil, or NA? Bet they won't 'bring over' from Europe.

 

Will they be Chevys? Probably not

What badge? Saturn and with a 'higher price'

Will they compete well with the Fit/Versa? Not if they charge a 'EURO price' ;-)

 

Some get all hard about this Corsa news, but a) it's not coming for 5 years, b ) will not be 'brought in' from Europe, and c ) will probably have Daewoo parts in it.

Edited October 5, 2006 by 630land