Opel on way to Australia

Opel is targeting Australia as part of a major export push and the move will dovetail with a significant growth plan being finalised at Fishermans Bend.

Instead of competing with Holden's price-driven imports from Korea - including the baby Barina and Captiva SUV - the European models will provide a second sales drive and help plug a number of vacant sales posts, from a sporty coupe to a compact SUV and beyond.

The head of General Motors Europe, Nick Reilly, confirms the plan and is bullish about the potential for sales in Australia.

"Watch this space," Reilly tells Carsguide as he prepares to unveil the GTC coupe. "We're looking at it, and quite seriously. We're optimistic we'll be able to do something."

GM Europe has supplied a range of cars to Holden over the years, from a pre-Korea Barina to a variety of Astra models - most recently the convertible - and even the Vectra.

The Vectra was regarded as the best chance for success, but never fired because of the price penalty of shipping from Europe and paying the bill at a time when the Australian dollar was running low. Slow sales saw the Vectra dropped and Holden quickly shifted its focus, as part of a global development and production plan, to Korea. Relatively low production costs quickly made it the first-choice source for local cars, with Holden engineers and designers taking the lead on a number of projects.

But GM's global revival has changed the rules and Holden is now looking everywhere for the cars, commercials and SUVs it needs to fill its showrooms. Reilly refuses to go into detail but it's clear he is close to a deal with the new Holden boss, Mike Devereux.

"Whenever we have something to say, we will. I'd rather not go into the details."

But Reilly is bullish about the prospects for GM Europe's two brands, Opel and Vauxhall, during the unveiling of the GTC coupe.

"The brand renewal is giving us fresh drive," he says.