GM wants to build Chevy cars in Europe - and sell 1 million units a year there

2011 Chevrolet Cruze RS

Detroit automaker plotting a strategy for growning the Chevrolet brand in Europe

GM wants to build Chevy models in Europe and sell 1 million a year of them there too.

GM CEO Dan Akerson admits that if the Detroit automaker is going to grow the Chevrolet brand in Europe, it is going to have to at least build a good chunk of the cars there.

Currently most Chevrolet Europe models are built in South Korea or in the United States. GM just recently started assembling the euro-spec Cruze at a facility in Russia.

"We need probably to start manufacturing Chevrolets in Europe at some point in time. That's on the strategic 'What should we do list,' " said Akerson to a group of analysts at a conference earlier this week. He went on to say that having a wholly imported vehicle lineup is "not the most efficient" way of operating the brand.

GM also wants to grow sales of the Chevrolet brand in Europe to 1 million units a year by 2016. Last year, the brand 477,000 vehicles in Europe.

Source: Reuters

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saytamaner

GM, you're welcome in Turkey. You already have an idle plant in Torbali-Izmir which can be brought up to date with renovation costs only. Chevrolet brand have always been respected here and local production would definitely push brand image. Also I'm sure the government would be more than willing to offer some incentives.

August 11, 2011 4:44 am

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zot959

GM already has Opel / Vauxhall in Europe. I don't think Chevy will do well in Europe. Chevy is not very good compared to Opel, some of which are being re-badged and sold as more upscale cars like Buicks back in the US. Cadillac failed in Europe and Chevy will too, nobody wants these cars in Europe. US cars are still inferior and even GM of Europe is better than GM in the US. Chevy only has one good car and that's the Corvette and with the taxes in Europe on engine capacity a Corvette is going to cost much more in Europe than in the US. Not even Corvette will do well. Nobody in Europe wants to drive giant pick up trucks like hillbillies and massive SUVs, people that drive Escalades are ridiculed for lack of environmental awareness.

August 11, 2011 7:06 am

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dcars62

GM has to very careful about another auto plant in Europe. Turkey, Britain or the former Eastern Block countries have been friendly to them and that kindness shouldn't be forgotten.

August 11, 2011 7:20 am

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progressive

Well I think it's a good idea. I drive Opel, and it's much better car than Chevy, but if they improve quallity people will buy this cars because of the great price. Only good car for Europe is Cruze. There is a gap in market for them.

August 11, 2011 7:28 am

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zot959

People drive hatchbacks in Europe. Have you seen the Cruze hatchback? Its not a good looking car.

August 11, 2011 10:51 am

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autoficianado

smart move and yes they have to overcome anti-american sentiment. Chevrolet should be the global volume brand just like VW, Honda or Toyota. Opel will be the upmarket brand. GM has stepped up it's game and the new cars such as the Chevrolet Cruze can hold their own against the european competition.

August 11, 2011 7:44 am

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9TNine

GM already does - it's called Vauxhall / Opel. Other than that I don't feel Europeans are into American styling. Nothing personal, just cultural.

August 11, 2011 8:21 am

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msinisa

cruze is amazingly cheap and well built car, interior as well as exterior. If Chevy keeps on the good work in Europe, or even improves itself and a cheap, reliable and good looking car producer, many people will buy it.

August 11, 2011 8:46 am

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msinisa

Anti-american sentiment has nothing to do, if you deliver a quality car, because I live in a country where USA helped "freedom fighters" the same ones as you see in London today, still even that nation supported terrorism, I would not look at the car with those eyes.

August 11, 2011 8:48 am

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ovyd

Based on the current numbers, only in Romania, they could reach about 8k-10k cars sold there this year (lots of Aveos for now). And Romania right now has a pretty bad market for new cars... So 1 million/year in Europe... it could be achieved at some point, but it depends on a lot of factors...

August 12, 2011 1:39 pm

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