Buick To Share Even More Resources With Opel

Opel and Buick are going to get a lot cozier in the coming years if Dan Akerson has his way. The GM CEO wants the two companies to align their product portfolios even further, so that the high R&D costs of Opel products can be absorbed further. Speaking to Automotive News at an investor conference last week, Akerson told the paper "What we're trying to do is bring together the product development teams much more closely," Akerson said, so that "there will be all sorts of synergies, I believe, between Opel-Vauxhall and Buick….We think we can take costs out that way," he said. "You've got to change the rules of the game in Europe — we do — because of where we are today." Opel has been a consistent money loser in Europe, but the firm has provided Buick with the kind of product that has revitalized its lineup. The Buick Verano, Encore and Regal are all derived from Opel products, and the upcoming Opel Cascada convertible (above) is also rumored to be making its way Stateside. The big challenge now will be engineered cars that can appeal to consumers in Europe, America and China, three markets with varying tastes.   from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 680102