GM keeps retreating, Chevrolet exits Europe

[Dave T]

First it was Oldsmobile. Then Saab, Pontiac, and Saturn got the axe. Now Chevrolet in Europe is getting the axe. Chevrolet in Europe in very different from Chevrolet in Canada or the U.S. They have Korean made Chevrolets made in former Daewoo plants. Now European Chevrolet dealers are just getting the Corvette, nothing else. If you have a Korean made Chevrolet in Germany or France, you might be disappointed to see Chevrolet leave and possibly have worse support for your car.

GM Pulls Chevy From Europe After Decade as Opel Expands - Bloomberg

General Motors Co. (GM) is pulling its Chevy brand out of Europe, reversing a decade-old sales strategy, as a revival at the carmaker’s Opel and Vauxhall divisions beats the U.S. nameplate’s performance in the region.

Chevrolet will halt deliveries in Europe by the end of 2015 while remaining in Russia,.....


“It was a strategic mistake from the beginning to re-badge cheap Korean cars with the Chevrolet name that’s associated with large U.S. road cruisers,” said Frank Schwope, a Hanover, Germany-based analyst at Nord LB.

The European reorganization is another “mistake,” as GM “could have pushed Opel more up-market and established Chevrolet as a budget brand,” Schwope said. “Volkswagen successfully manages four similar marques in Europe -- VW, Skoda, Audi and Seat -- yet GM isn’t able to make one profitable in the region.”

[nordwulf]

No big loss on Chevrolet leaving Europe. Not really sure why anyone wants a rebadged Daewoo with a Chevy logo anyways.

It looks like it may be the end for Holden as well. Holden to pull out of Australia from 2016, according to senior Government ministers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Shazam]

I'm still a believer that GM is doing it all wrong with their badge engineering. I think it is fine if you want to share platforms, but when you simply take an Opel and sell it as a Buick, what makes it a Buick? They need to stick truer to the brands they sell the cars as. Who really wants a Chevy that is actually a Daewoo? You can start with a Daewoo, but do something to separate it and turn it into a Chevy other than a badge and some plastic tupperware changes.

[Dave T]

Holden leaving Australia? That's the only place they're at.

I think it's very likely that they will shut down the factory and rebadge Opels and Chevys as Holdens. I drove a rental Holden Commodore once. It wasn't bad. It's a somewhat big RWD car.

[colombo]

At least GM does not have to pay more money back to the US government...

They will be on the edge soon enough, and taxpayers will take the bill again?