http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 18 May 2013 21:13:42 +0200 Sat, 18 May 2013 21:13:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-car-industry-winners-and-losers-drift-further-apart-a-882694.html#ref=rss A two-tiered industry is emerging among European automakers. While German brands BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen are reporting record profits, competitors Opel, Peugeot, Renault and Fiat are struggling to survive. Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:06:41 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-car-industry-winners-and-losers-drift-further-apart-a-882694.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/opel-to-shut-down-car-assembly-at-bochum-germany-plant-in-2016-a-871987.html#ref=rss General Motors subsidiary Opel said on Monday it will stop assembling cars at its plant in Bochum, Germany in 2016. Up to 3,000 jobs could be lost as a result at the carmaker, hit by a steep drop in sales in the euro crisis. Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:52:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/opel-to-shut-down-car-assembly-at-bochum-germany-plant-in-2016-a-871987.html General Motors subsidiary Opel said on Monday it will stop assembling cars at its plant in Bochum, Germany in 2016. Up to 3,000 jobs could be lost as a result at the carmaker, hit by a steep drop in sales in the euro crisis. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-carmaker-opel-stuggles-to-survive-in-gloomy-market-a-860478.html#ref=rss The situation is grim for the European car market, even for previously thriving premium brands. But things look particularly gloomy for Opel. Thanks to stiff competition and an undeservedly poor reputation, the GM subsidiary has reached a low from which it might never recover. Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-carmaker-opel-stuggles-to-survive-in-gloomy-market-a-860478.html http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/verkaeufe-in-deutschland-weniger-zulassungen-bei-autos-a-847884.html#ref=rss Autokunden in Deutschland werden vorsichtiger: Im Juli wurden etwa 13.000 Fahrzeuge weniger zugelassen als im Vormonat - vor allem die privaten Käufer halten sich zurück. Bei Opel sorgt die schlechte Entwicklung für horrende Verluste. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/verkaeufe-in-deutschland-weniger-zulassungen-bei-autos-a-847884.html Autokunden in Deutschland werden vorsichtiger: Im Juli wurden etwa 13.000 Fahrzeuge weniger zugelassen als im Vormonat - vor allem die privaten Käufer halten sich zurück. Bei Opel sorgt die schlechte Entwicklung für horrende Verluste.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/internal-gm-plan-foresees-plant-closures-a-823784.html#ref=rss An internal General Motors strategy paper reveals that the US automaker wants to close its plants in Western Europe and transfer production to low-cost countries. The document means that the future looks bleak for Opel's plant in Bochum and Vauxhall's factory in Ellesmere Port. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:34:08 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/internal-gm-plan-foresees-plant-closures-a-823784.html An internal General Motors strategy paper reveals that the US automaker wants to close its plants in Western Europe and transfer production to low-cost countries. The document means that the future looks bleak for Opel's plant in Bochum and Vauxhall's factory in Ellesmere Port. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/gm-plans-to-shut-two-european-plants-a-823269.html#ref=rss General Motors appears to be losing patience with its ailing European subsidiary Opel. According to media reports, the US carmaker plans to close up to two plants in Europe. Bochum in Germany and Ellesmere Port in Britain apparently top the list for the cuts. Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:30:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/gm-plans-to-shut-two-european-plants-a-823269.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/poor-performance-gm-considers-closing-opel-factory-in-germany-a-814056.html#ref=rss US automaker General Motors is reportedly losing its patience with its European unit Opel/Vauxhall. Steep losses may now result in factory closures and layoffs, including the Opel factory in Bochum, Germany, according to media reports. The labor conflict could be reminiscent of 2009, when GM elected not to sell Opel. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:06:43 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/poor-performance-gm-considers-closing-opel-factory-in-germany-a-814056.html US automaker General Motors is reportedly losing its patience with its European unit Opel/Vauxhall. Steep losses may now result in factory closures and layoffs, including the Opel factory in Bochum, Germany, according to media reports. The labor conflict could be reminiscent of 2009, when GM elected not to sell Opel.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-carmaker-in-trouble-gm-considers-sale-of-european-opel-unit-a-767605.html#ref=rss US car giant General Motors appears to be ready to sell its subsiary Opel once again, amid continuing losses at the German firm, SPIEGEL has learned. When GM abandoned a 2009 effort to sell the firm, the decision caused deep-seated tensions between the American company and the government in Berlin. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:56:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-carmaker-in-trouble-gm-considers-sale-of-european-opel-unit-a-767605.html US car giant General Motors appears to be ready to sell its subsiary Opel once again, amid continuing losses at the German firm, SPIEGEL has learned. When GM abandoned a 2009 effort to sell the firm, the decision caused deep-seated tensions between the American company and the government in Berlin. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/about-face-on-opel-gm-withdraws-pleas-for-public-money-in-europe-a-701088.html#ref=rss General Motors Europe on Wednesday announced that it was withdrawing its request for financial assistance from European governments as it restructures its subsidiary Opel. The decision comes just a week after Germany declined to provide funding. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:40:07 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/about-face-on-opel-gm-withdraws-pleas-for-public-money-in-europe-a-701088.html General Motors Europe on Wednesday announced that it was withdrawing its request for financial assistance from European governments as it restructures its subsidiary Opel. The decision comes just a week after Germany declined to provide funding.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-idea-of-state-aid-to-opel-is-absurd-a-699910.html#ref=rss GM Europe was deeply disappointed when the German Economy Minister ruled out giving state aid to Opel on Wednesday. Just hours later, however, Chancellor Merkel said that the last word had not been spoken on the issue, launching the latest spat between the two coalition partners. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:46:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-idea-of-state-aid-to-opel-is-absurd-a-699910.html GM Europe was deeply disappointed when the German Economy Minister ruled out giving state aid to Opel on Wednesday. Just hours later, however, Chancellor Merkel said that the last word had not been spoken on the issue, launching the latest spat between the two coalition partners.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-opel-restructuring-plan-offers-far-too-little-a-677021.html#ref=rss General Motors unveiled its plans for restructuring Opel on Tuesday, which envision job cuts and securing billions in loans and guarantees from European governments. German commentators accuse the company of trying to dump the costs on the country's taxpayers while reserving the rewards for itself. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:55:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-opel-restructuring-plan-offers-far-too-little-a-677021.html General Motors unveiled its plans for restructuring Opel on Tuesday, which envision job cuts and securing billions in loans and guarantees from European governments. German commentators accuse the company of trying to dump the costs on the country's taxpayers while reserving the rewards for itself.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/restructuring-gm-style-opel-slashes-jobs-and-demands-state-money-a-676860.html#ref=rss General Motors Europe on Tuesday finally announced the details of its plan to restructure German car-maker Opel. In addition to thousands of job cuts, GM wants 2.7 billion euros from European governments. Opposition to the plan is building in Germany. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:56:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/restructuring-gm-style-opel-slashes-jobs-and-demands-state-money-a-676860.html General Motors Europe on Tuesday finally announced the details of its plan to restructure German car-maker Opel. In addition to thousands of job cuts, GM wants 2.7 billion euros from European governments. Opposition to the plan is building in Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-rebuff-from-detroit-how-the-opel-deal-went-sour-a-660149.html#ref=rss The bid by the German government to secure Opel's rescue has ended in fiasco after General Motors pulled out of a deal to sell its troubled European subsidary. Berlin lacks a strategy for how to deal with the country's most important industry. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:57:47 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-rebuff-from-detroit-how-the-opel-deal-went-sour-a-660149.html The bid by the German government to secure Opel's rescue has ended in fiasco after General Motors pulled out of a deal to sell its troubled European subsidary. Berlin lacks a strategy for how to deal with the country's most important industry.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-opel-magna-debacle-a-disgrace-for-the-populists-a-659317.html#ref=rss Magna, Magna, Magna. German politicians became so transfixed on one solution in the crisis at Opel that they fell into the populism trap and lost touch with reality. Now the government in Berlin is being shown, painfully, that it can't force General Motors into a deal it doesn't want. The episode shows the challenges the German government faces in trying to save companies. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:32:50 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-opel-magna-debacle-a-disgrace-for-the-populists-a-659317.html Magna, Magna, Magna. German politicians became so transfixed on one solution in the crisis at Opel that they fell into the populism trap and lost touch with reality. Now the government in Berlin is being shown, painfully, that it can't force General Motors into a deal it doesn't want. The episode shows the challenges the German government faces in trying to save companies.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/state-aid-for-opel-eu-lets-germany-off-the-hook-a-657036.html#ref=rss The European Commission will not investigate the improper use of state aid in the ongoing attempts to sell carmaker Opel. The situation at Opel is so critical that the company would likely collapse before such an investigation could be complete. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:25:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/state-aid-for-opel-eu-lets-germany-off-the-hook-a-657036.html The European Commission will not investigate the improper use of state aid in the ongoing attempts to sell carmaker Opel. The situation at Opel is so critical that the company would likely collapse before such an investigation could be complete.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/magna-s-opel-deal-unfair-uncompetitive-and-upsets-the-neighbors-a-648866.html#ref=rss The sale of Opel announced last week looks to be on shaky ground. Other EU states are saying it smacks of protectionism, claiming their plants are just as efficient as Germany's. Meanwhile Opel's buyers announced more German job losses than expected and critics say Russia will benefit more than Germany. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:30:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/magna-s-opel-deal-unfair-uncompetitive-and-upsets-the-neighbors-a-648866.html The sale of Opel announced last week looks to be on shaky ground. Other EU states are saying it smacks of protectionism, claiming their plants are just as efficient as Germany's. Meanwhile Opel's buyers announced more German job losses than expected and critics say Russia will benefit more than Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/magna-buys-opel-vauxhall-international-reactions-from-joy-to-anger-to-legal-threats-a-648517.html#ref=rss The deal to sell General Motor's beleaguered European brands, Vauxhall and Opel, is close to the finish line. But while the German government is congratulating itself, other nations in Europe are upset. Belgium is even considering a probe into what they see as German protectionism. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:20:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/magna-buys-opel-vauxhall-international-reactions-from-joy-to-anger-to-legal-threats-a-648517.html The deal to sell General Motor's beleaguered European brands, Vauxhall and Opel, is close to the finish line. But while the German government is congratulating itself, other nations in Europe are upset. Belgium is even considering a probe into what they see as German protectionism.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/opel-s-sale-to-magna-is-strife-inevitable-in-this-tricky-marriage-a-648387.html#ref=rss The German government is celebrating -- and Opel employees are, too. But there are still plenty of sticking points for this troubled marriage between carmakers, unions and politicians. SPIEGEL ONLINE takes a look at potential pitfalls in the future of the Opel-Magna marriage. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:24:57 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/opel-s-sale-to-magna-is-strife-inevitable-in-this-tricky-marriage-a-648387.html The German government is celebrating -- and Opel employees are, too. But there are still plenty of sticking points for this troubled marriage between carmakers, unions and politicians. SPIEGEL ONLINE takes a look at potential pitfalls in the future of the Opel-Magna marriage.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gm-to-accept-magna-offer-end-in-sight-for-opel-odyssey-a-648268.html#ref=rss General Motors has confirmed its intent to sell the controlling interest in its European subsidiary Opel to Canadian car parts-maker Magna and a Russian bank. After months of uncertainty, the end appears to be in sight. But some say it could be months before the ink is finally dry on the contract. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:12:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gm-to-accept-magna-offer-end-in-sight-for-opel-odyssey-a-648268.html General Motors has confirmed its intent to sell the controlling interest in its European subsidiary Opel to Canadian car parts-maker Magna and a Russian bank. After months of uncertainty, the end appears to be in sight. But some say it could be months before the ink is finally dry on the contract.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/car-crash-how-merkel-s-attempt-to-save-opel-went-awry-a-646370.html#ref=rss German Chancellor Angela Merkel has run into problems with her attempt to save the troubled German carmaker Opel: The US government doesn't want a consortium featuring Russian investors to take over the GM subsidiary. Thousands of German jobs are hanging in the balance as talks drag on. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:03:57 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/car-crash-how-merkel-s-attempt-to-save-opel-went-awry-a-646370.html German Chancellor Angela Merkel has run into problems with her attempt to save the troubled German carmaker Opel: The US government doesn't want a consortium featuring Russian investors to take over the GM subsidiary. Thousands of German jobs are hanging in the balance as talks drag on.]]>