Opel Canadian?

BBC confirms that “Canadian-Austrian car parts maker Magna International has reached an agreement in principle to rescue GM Europe, owner of Opel and Vauxhall. The agreement was reached with General Motors, but will need to be approved by the German government, which will provide funding to the new owner.”

German-designed cars from a Canadian-owned company. What's not to like? Opel cars (and their Saturn iterations over here) are German cars in the same tradition as VW, BMW, Mercedes-Benz. That is to say solid, no-nonsense, Autobhan-derived, precision transportation. With an emphasis on no-nonsense.

I'd love to see a Canadian Opel. Maybe they could call it an Acadian. Naah. How about Manta? Opel Manta. Nice ring. Opel Magna anyone?

Update: The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription): "Canadian auto-parts supplier Magna International Inc. was selected by the German government early Saturday as a partner for General Motors Corp.'s Adam Opel unit.

The prospective deal for GM's European operations would mark a major breakthrough for Magna and its flamboyant founder, Frank Stronach."