No Opel Corsa OPC for the US Market

Europe's much-awaited fuel-efficient small hatch, the Corsa OPC from General Motors' Opel European brand will roll out in markets across the continent anytime this month. The Opel Corsa OPC made its world debut at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show early this March and dubbed as the "most powerful Corsa ever". Why? Because it is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine capable of pumping out 192 horsepower (141 kW) and produces 169 pound-feet (230 Nm) amount of peak torque, combine with a six-speed manual gearbox powering its front wheels. Acceleration from zero to 62 mph can be achieved in 7.2 seconds with an electronically controlled top speed of 139 mph. Upgrading with GM power programmer can boost the Corsa OPC's performance.

General Motors Corp. has a very high expectation for this vehicle in terms of sales due to the rapidly growing consumer demands for fuel-efficient small cars in Europe and in the United States. Does it mean that General Motors would also bring the Corsa OPC to U.S. showrooms?

No. According to a report from the San Francisco online (www.sfgate.com), General Motors' Opel division will not bring the Corsa OPC in the U.S. anytime soon. This is because of some economic factors like the different range of gas prices in Europe and United States. In an interview with Robert Lutz, Vice Chairman for Global Product Development of General Motors Corporation, he said: "Europe and the United States are two different worlds. We could sell the OPC here (Europe) and make money because gasoline is near $6 a gallon. If we had $6 gasoline in the United States, we could sell it there at a profit, too."

"But it is unlikely that Americans would buy a little car at $30,000 when they are paying $2.50 for gasoline. We need $6 gasoline in the United States to make sense of the Corsa OPC in that market." he added.

Lutz was also asked if they will bring the other GM branded European fuel efficient models in the US. and said: "We also sell many fuel-efficient models in America. But the mix of smaller, more fuel-efficient models is bigger in Europe than it is in the United States. We need gasoline of 6 bucks a gallon to change that equation in America. If America really wants more fuel-efficient cars, which will mean more smaller models, it's up to the government to establish parameters in which that market will work."

GM's decision is final and Americans will not be able to see the Opel Corsa OPC to arrive in dealer showrooms.