Opel loses version of US roadster; 2005 pedestrian-safety rules keep Solstice out of Europe.(News)

Automotive News Europe,  February, 2004  

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Byline: Luca Ciferri

Opel/Vauxhall will not get a roadster based on General Motors' Pontiac Solstice because the design cannot meet EU 2005 pedestrian-safety guidelines.

The two-seat Solstice was shown in US production form at last month's Detroit auto show, two years after it first appeared there as a concept car. It is based on GM's Kappa small rear-wheel-drive architecture.

GM explored offering a European version of the roadster, but concluded it wasn't viable to introduce a car that could not meet new rules designed to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.

"A ...

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