Chevy Volt to go Opel, then Chevy again

General Motors is looking to be bringing the Volt to Europe by late 2011. This is earlier than initially reported. GM needs to spread out as much of the high-cost of development and production of the gas/electric hybrid as possible, so multiple outlets are being considered. Opel is working on its own plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the Volt is expected to join that lineup. But once Opel has a strong electric presence, it is rumored that the Volt will be changed to be sold as a Chevrolet.

Chevrolet is not a name necessarily associated with quality in Europe. Most of the Chevy products there are just know for their inexpensive price because offerings are just re-badged Daewoos. The Corvette is sold over there, but not as a Chevy. Instead the sports car is presented as its own brand sold out of Cadillac dealerships. So if the Volt eventually switches to the Chevrolet name, it may give the company a much-needed image boost.