Opel Says Shared GM Platforms Will Fuel Profits

Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann tells reporters the company will rely on General Motors Co. global platforms and shared technologies to become profitable by 2016.

GM has pledged to spend €4 billion in three years to launch 27 new or updated models and introduce 17 new engine variants. Neumann predicts the initiative will help push Opel's European market share to 8% by the end of 2016 from about 5.8% today.

He says future product changes will include a next-generation Corsa small sedan that rides on a GM chassis, design updates that transform Opel's Meriva and Zafira minivans into crossovers, new SUV models and perhaps a minicar positioned below the company's Adam minicar.

The key to Opel's new-product plan will be significant platform and technology sharing with the Buick brand GM sells in the U.S. and China. Neumann says Opel must share global platforms to reach sustainable profitability.