GM Europe plots product offensive: 29 models in 4 years include new SUV and EV

General Motors chief Mary Barra reaffirms plans for 29 new European models through Vauxhall and Opel between 2016 and 2020.

More details of Vauxhall’s planned flagship SUV have emerged as General Motors adds more new cars to the ambitious European product plan it has in place between 2016 and 2020.

The intensification of the Vauxhall-Opel product offensive to 29 models was announced by General Motors boss Mary Barra, who said the products would include “an electric vehicle and a second flagship alongside the Insignia.

“This all-new SUV will be produced in Rüsselsheim by the end of decade and will give the brand a further technological boost.”

The new SUV will replace the current, unsuccessful Antara. Senior GM executives would not be drawn on specifics of the second new model; however, it is in addition to the Chevrolet Bolt.

The new flagship SUV model, due by 2019/20, will use GM's Ypsilon architecture, and share many core elements with a new Cadillac SUV. It will be built at Russelsheim, where the Cadillac version could also be made if the planned relaunch of a new, more European-flavoured (and right-hand-drive optioned) Cadillac range succeeds.

Barra also announced that GM's European operation is targeting an 8% European market share by 2022, and a 5% profit margin before interest and tax.

GM Europe is aiming to break-even this year despite its withdrawal from the Russian market. Vauxhall boss Tim Tozer says that this target is “in sight, but can't be guaranteed”.

Tozer also says that the 5% margin “is less demanding than the 8% share” for GM Europe, which currently holds just under 6% in Europe.

Vauxhall's share is already well above this level, but Tozer wants to add “one per cent or so” as Vauxhall's contribution. Vauxhall is “quite close” to Barra's profitability target.

In 2016 Vauxhall will launch a new B-SUV based upon a platform shared with PSA. This new offering will complement the Mokka and a bigger C-SUV due in 2017 and also shared with PSA.

Also on the way are more new engines. The product life of powertrains is now much shorter in order to allow for more cost-effective CO2 reductions.

GM will also introduce a new electric vehicle in Europe that will not be based on the Chevrolet Bolt, according to Barra.