GM wants to be a ‘significant player’ in Europe’s electric vehicle market

Synthetic engine has retreated from many markets over the past decade, but it is planning to expand its presence in Europe once again with a range of electric vehicles.

Whether this precedes a larger global rollout of its latest Ultium-based EVs remains unclear. GM has yet to confirm any of its EVs to the Australian GMSV showrooms, which sell the Corvette and Silverado.

Autocar GM will offer a range of EVs in Europe, with GM Europe boss Mahmoud Samara saying “we feel very confident that we will be a significant competitor” though without citing any targets. or recommended model.

“Given what our customers need in Europe and what we have done to transform our company, we feel this is a unique opportunity for us,” he said, noting that adoption Rapid electric vehicles in the UK and Europe have opened the door for GM.

“Chevrolet is a global brand, Cadillac is a global brand, Hummer is a global brand, so we have global brands fit for purpose.

“The great thing about transitioning to electric vehicles is the flexibility we can offer with those platforms. It will be fit for purpose in Europe. “

It is expected to announce its plans for Europe early next year.

While the UK looks as ready to take on GM EVs as Europe, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee right-drive vehicles will be developed as GM has a history of selling left-handers in the UK market. drive on the right.

With the sale of Opel and Vauxhall to Groupe PSA in 2017, GM has maintained a limited import operation in Europe.

It has only sold Chevrolet Corvette plus a limited number of Cadillacs. Among them, the company currently only offers the XT4 crossover.

GM is in the process of launching a range of vehicles on a dedicated electric vehicle architecture it calls the Ultium.

The first such means is GMC Hummer EVfollowed by BMW X5-size Cadillac Lyriq. Autocar Both are reportedly available for sale there, along with vehicles and services from the new BrightDrop electric commercial vehicle division.

GM is transitioning to electric vehicles with a goal of selling only zero-emissions vehicles globally by 2035. The Buick and Cadillac brands will transition to electric-only vehicles by 2030.

It has a bunch of Ultium-based products coming out over the next few years, led by Chevrolet Silverado EV, Equinox EV and Blazer EV next year.

Other products include Cadillac Celestiq and, reportedly, a Chevrolet Colorado EValong with potentially more European-friendly models such as a Cadillac entry-level electric SUV to replace XT4.

Mr. Samara noted GM Europe will operate more like a quick start-up, currently with no Opel/Vauxhall operations to anchor.

That suggests it can operate a largely online retail model, as with Tesla, Polestar and Genesis.

Samara was previously vice president of sales, service and marketing for Cadillac North America before being appointed head of the rebooted GM Europe in 2021.

GM’s global footprint has shrunk significantly over the past few years.

It withdrew the Chevrolet brand there in 2013 except for low volume imports and sold Opel and Vauxhall in 2017.

It leaves Thailand in 2020 after selling the Rayong factory, which makes the Holden/Chevrolet Colorado and TrailBlazer, to Great Wall Motors.

It also pulled out of markets like South Africa and cut its presence in major markets like India and Indonesia.

In Australia, it ended local production of Holden the same year before discontinuing production of the Aussie brand in 2020.

GM Specialty Vehicle has risen from the ashes of Holden as a niche vehicle importer – a factory right-drive Corvette and locally remanufactured Chevrolet Silverado and, before, Camaro.

More recently, it stopped exporting vehicles to Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

With the withdrawal from many markets, GM is instead focusing on its core markets of China, North America and South America, although it also sells vehicles in markets such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates.