General Motors Corporation today officially confirmed yesterday's report by "Globes" that it has awarded the Israel import license for Opel cars to a private company owned by Shlomo Shmeltzer. GM said that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shmeltzer to import and market Opel cars and spare parts, beginning in 2011.
GM said that the parties were preparing a relaunch of the Opel brand in Israel, including the Astra and Isignia models.
GM added that current importer "Universal Motors Israel Ltd. (UMI) will continue to focus on growing the Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick brands in Israel, and will launch 13 new models of these brands over the next two years." GM said that UMI and Shmeltzer had already formulated a strategy to ensure maximum customer service for Opel during the transition.
GM said, "As one of the new GM's core brands, Buick is also expected to greatly expand its product line, especially of smaller models than those currently marketed in Israel. These models are the fruits of development by the manufacturer in Europe, Asia, and the US. As part of the new GM strategy to increase its global market share, GM and UMI have agreed that UMI will henceforth focus on GM's core global brands, while responsibility for the marketing of the Opel brand in Israel will be transferred during 2011 to a private company owned by Shlomo Smeltzer, as part of a collaboration between the parties."
Shlomo Shmeltzer said, "Our experience in the vehicle world will provide the Opel brand with the comprehensive support it needs to consolidate the brand in Israel, and give it the huge advantages it enjoys in the world. The collaboration between us and UMI will continue to the same extent of mutual respect that we have had to date."
The company said that the Opel franchise was awarded to one of Shmeltzer's private company that is not part of S. Shlomo Holdings Ltd. (TASE:SHLD).
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 26, 2010
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