1980 Opel Manta Kit Car Replica on 2040-cars

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Fiat/PSA's dominance in small vans hangs up EU's merger approval

BRUSSELS — EU antitrust regulators are concerned about Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot / PSA's combined high market share in small vans and may require concessions to clear their $50 billion merger, people familiar with the matter said. The companies, which are seeking to create the world's fourth biggest carmaker, were told of the European Commission's concerns last week. If Fiat and PSA fail to dispel the European Commission's doubts in the next two days and subsequently decline to offer concessions by Wednesday, the deadline for doing so, the deal would face a four-month-long investigation. The EU competition enforcer, which has set a June 17 deadline for its preliminary review, declined to comment. Fiat was not immediately available for comment while PSA had no immediate comment. Hiving off overlapping businesses, usually a regulatory demand to ensure more competition, could prove tricky for the carmakers because of the technicalities. Fiat and PSA are looking to merge to help offset slowing demand and shoulder the cost of making cleaner vehicles to meet tougher emissions regulations. The deal puts under one roof the Italian carmaker's brands such as Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Maserati and the French company's Peugeot, Opel and DS. Related Video: Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM Citroen Opel Peugeot

Wild-looking Opel Rocks e-Xtreme looks ready to survive the apocalypse

The tiny Citroen Ami has spawned a diverse selection of offshoots since it made its debut in 2020. The latest addition to the list is the Opel Rocks e-Xtreme, which was created by an industrial design student named Lukas Wenzhofer as part of a contest organized by the brand. Built by Opel using Wenzhofer's 3D model as a starting point, the Rocks e-Xtreme seemingly keeps the regular-production model's body but the similarities largely end there. Wenzhofer added massive wheel arch flares that wouldn't look out of place on an Arctic-bound pickup, alloy wheels that stick out even further than the flares, and an external roll cage with auxiliary lights. The finishing touch is out back, where the Rocks e-Xtreme gets a massive carbon fiber rear wing that was previously fitted to an Opel Vectra GTS V8 race car built in the 2000s. While the German company evidently had a spare Vectra spoiler laying around, it didn't have a spare Vectra V8 engine. It doesn't sound like the Rocks e-Xtreme's specifications sheet looks any different than the standard vehicle's, meaning power comes from an electric motor that draws electricity from a 5.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to zap the front wheels with 8 horsepower. It has a 0-60 time of never, its top speed checks in at around 28 mph, and it offers a maximum driving range of about 43 miles, which is fine considering the Rocks isn't really a car. It's considered a quadricycle in most European countries, so it's not allowed to go on the highway. Don't expect to see the Opel Rocks e-Xtreme zig-zagging across a historic city center the next time you travel to Europe. Opel stresses that it built the model as a one-off, and nothing suggests the concept will reach production. However, some slightly tamer Ami variants have been let loose in the wild, including a limited-edition beach-friendly model called My Ami Buggy and Fiat's doorless, heritage-inspired Topolino. Related video: Featured Gallery Opel Rocks e-Xtreme concept Green Opel NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) Concept Cars Electric

It's official: GM selling Opel-Vauxhall to Peugeot-Citroen group for $2.3B

It's a Brexit for General Motors. GM is selling off its Opel and Vauxhall unit, it confirmed today, ending 90 years of automobile production in Europe, and nearly two decades of losses from that division. The deal was announced on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show. The focus for GM now becomes North America and China. "This was a difficult decision for General Motors," CEO Mary Barra said. "But we are unified in our belief that it is the right one." "For GM, this represents another major step in the ongoing work that is driving our improved performance and accelerating our momentum. We are reshaping our company and delivering consistent, record results for our owners through disciplined capital allocation to our higher-return investments in our core automotive business and in new technologies that are enabling us to lead the future of personal mobility." The buyer is French automaker PSA Groupe, maker of Peugeot and Citroen as well as its DS luxury sub-brand. The $2.3 billion deal will make PSA the second-biggest European manufacturer after Volkswagen, with 17 percent of the market share. "We want to create a European automotive champion," said PSA Groupe Chairman Carlos Tavares. "We will totally unleash the potential of the Opel and Vauxhall brands." Tavares gave assurances that jobs would not be lost in the deal. "We respect all that Opel/Vauxhall's talented people have achieved as well as the company's fine brands and strong heritage. We intend to manage PSA and Opel/Vauxhall capitalizing on their respective brand identities." The two companies have agreements for PSA to continue to supply some Holden and Buick models; it's not yet clear exactly how this will work, as Opel models form the basis for several of Buick's core products, including the Encore small crossover and Regal sedan. PSA also is purchasing GM's financing operations in Europe as part of the deal. GM may invest in PSA shares in the future, and the two companies may collaborate on electric and fuel-cell vehicles as part of GM's joint venture with Honda. The sale of Opel and Vauxhall brings GM's global brand total down to eight, including three that are specific to the Chinese market. Buick GM Citroen Opel Peugeot Vauxhall 2017 Geneva Motor Show