Vauxhall / Opel can’t sell to the U.S.

Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer won't go on sale in the US

Probably the most significant thing so far is that Opel and Vauxhall will not be allowed to sell cars in the US, or indeed in to China. Which does cut out a lot of potential, if not exactly a lot of current, sales possibilities.

It makes sense for GM to have made this clause in the sale agreement, but it will hurt the new Magna owned group in the long run. The US is finally falling in love with better cars from outside the US, and Vauxhall/Opel has one of the best mainstream ranges there is. Cars like the new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer would find a ready market in the US, as would the modern generation of Eco-cars, such as the Vauxhall Corsa ecoFLEX.

It is a surprise that Magna has agreed to this. We would have expected them to agree not to sell the Vauxhall or Opel version of the Ampera in the US when it finally gets produced, as that would tread straight on the toes of GM’s own version. But to exclude all the Vauxhall and Opel range indefinitely seems a big capitulation.

Apparently the China case is there because GM hopes it will be a big market for them in the future, but there is to be more discretion with that restriction.

I’m sure there will be a few petrol-heads in the US rueing this decision today.

By Cars UK