Political tensions and no attractive models
Various Opels were sold in China under the Buick brand, but years ago models such as Opel were actually sold in the country. Opel chooses to put its planned return to China on hold.
General Motors sells a wide range of models in China, some of which are technically related to the previous generation Opel Astra. In the form of the Regal, the brand even sells its own version of the Opel Insignia. Opel itself is no longer active in China, but it was until 2015. Under the flag of Stellantis, Opel will in any case not return to the Chinese market for the time being, Automotive News reports based on statements by an Opel spokesman against the German Handelsblatt.
Opel is said to have decided to abandon its planned return to China due to political tensions between China on the one hand and the European Union and the United States on the other. In addition, restrictions due to the corona pandemic would have played a role in the decision. Handelsblatt indicates that Opel currently has few or no models in its range that are interesting for the Chinese market. According to the quoted spokesman, Opel would expect under the current circumstances to be able to sell too few cars in China to play a role there.
Opel sold the Zafira and Antara in China, but withdrew from the Chinese car market in 2015 due to disappointing sales.
*Pictured: The Buick Regal, which is actually an Opel Inisgnia. But… it was a sedan instead of a liftback like in Europe.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl