Opel facts
Established: 1898
Acquired by GM: 1929
Employees: 52,000
Plants: 19 (9 vehicle, 10 powertrain)
Unit sales: 1,458,290 in 2008
Europe market share: 6.6%
Brands: Opel, Vauxhall
Headquarters: Ruesselsheim, Germany
Source: Company
General Motors Co. is considering reversing course and hanging on to Opel, and it is easy to figure out why. Keeping a foothold in Europe is vital for GM, and the company may be able to afford it.
