The changing of the Opel’s badge is part of improving the image of the brand.

The long-time badge of the world-renowned German auto maker is set to be replaced this coming July 2008. A report from John Revill of Automotive News Europe accounted that General Motors' Opel brand will reveal a new adaptation of its logo when it introduces the Insignia upper-medium car sooner this year. In addition to this, the new version of the lightning bolt symbol, which has been attached to Opel cars since 1963, will be showcased at the London auto show in July 2008.

The managing executives from GM further explained how they wished for to move Opel and move the brand upmarket by highlighting design and engineering supremacy based on traditional German manufacturing qualities.

The newest logo assimilates the brand’s name into an expanded boundary that surrounds the trademark lightning bolt. The latest badge to be obtained has a more molded design with sphere-shaped surfaces that provides the symbol three-dimensional deepness.

"Capturing that combination of beautifully-sculpted shapes together with German precision is very much consistent with the overall design language and philosophy of our vehicles," says Mark Adams, GM Europe's head of design, who led the team that re-designed the logo.

"The Opel Blitz evolved from a zeppelin – a symbol of progress at that time – which had been the radiator emblem of Opel vehicles since the beginning of the 1930s," said Heinz H. Zettl, manager of Opel Heritage & Institutional Communications.

A circle was added in 1937 to represent a wheel to symbolize mobility along with a representation of the endless innovation Opel has to offer all through the years.

“This evolution was also influenced by the brand name of Opel's light commercial vehicles, which from 1930 to 1975 bore the name "Blitz,” Zettl added. It also featured a lightning bolt as a distinctive symbol"

The company's sister brand Vauxhall will showcase a new version of its Griffin badge as well, along with a set of brand new models at the London show.

General Motors has announced pricing for the all-new Chevrolet Malibu. Prices for the Malibu will start under $20,000 with the base model LS listing for $19,345, a $2,000 premium over the previous model. A hybrid Malibu will also be available for $22,140, undercutting the Camry Hybrid by about $3,000. Scheduled to roll out in Chevy dealerships across the country this coming November.

GM offers five variants of the all-new 2008 Chevy Malibu. These include the Malibu LS, Malibu 1LT, Malibu 2LT, Malibu LTZ, and the Malibu Hybrid. Gone is the previous cliff-face fascia and Rubbermaid trim; instead there’s a striking, twin cockpit design with some classy two-tone trim options. Chevy has also loaded-up on safety features to reinforce the Malibu’s standing as a family fave. Standard motivation is GM’s 164-hp 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder, with the all-aluminum 3.6-liter 252-hp V-6 as an option.


Chevy Malibu model trims has to offer.

- 169-horsepower 2.4L Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine
252-horsepower (188 kW) 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing
- new grille design and heritage-inspired twin round taillamps
- a choice of cloth, suede and leather inside; available two-tone cockpit in a number of color combinations
- gauges with Chevrolet blue LED backlighting
- standard four-wheel independent suspension
- Standard theft-deterrent system for vehicle and contents
- Remote vehicle starting (standard on 2LT and LTZ; available on 1LT)
- standard universal home remote (for 2LT and LTZ only)
- TAPshift manual shift control (available on 2LT and standard on LTZ)
- 16-inch standard wheels (LS)
- 18-inch ultra-bright aluminum polished wheels (available on 2LT, standard LTZ)
- available rear power center includes 110-volt AC adapter with three-prong outlet and LTZ
- available sunroof (for LT and LTZ models only)
- premium eight-speaker, 210-watt sound system (standard on LTZ, available on 2LT)
- standard tire-pressure monitoring system
- six air bags (dual-stage frontal, seat-mounted side-impact thorax and head-curtain side air bags)
- four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with all-speed traction control
- OnStar Gen 7 safety and security system with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
- XM Satellite Radio
- GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
- power-adjustable pedals

The reason is that the Malaysian government is looking to close a deal with Volkswagen AG that will see the German automaker purchasing majority of the shares in Malaysian automaker Proton.

Aside from Volkswagen, General Motors is also reportedly interested in the acquisition of the Malaysian automaker. Although the American automaker has expressed its interest in the Asian automaker, the Malaysian government is looking to sell their share to Volkswagen.

According to reports fro the Malaysian newspaper, the European automaker will have to shell out “a few hundred million ringgit” for 51 percent of the Malaysian automaker. This amount is only expected for the initial capital that Volkswagen will have to pour into Proton. With Volkswagen posting increased sales in Europe and the United States as well as their increasing presence in the growing Asian auto market would mean that the automaker has the financial stability to save Proton in the brink of bankruptcy.

The apparent preference of the Malaysian government to Volkswagen is given more credential as Malaysian the Edge newspaper reported that Volkswagen will be examining “certain assets” of Proton. Aside from having the backing of the Malaysian government in marketing Volkswagen vehicles in the country, it can also be expected that Volkswagen will widen their offering around the world by marketing Proton vehicles in the global auto market.