GM's Opel to build next generation electric car in 2017
BOCHUM, Germany (Reuters) - General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra on Thursday said the company's European division Opel would build an affordable five-seater electric car, the Ampera-e, in 2017.
The car shares the same underpinnings as GM's other electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt.
"Like its twin, the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the Ampera-e promises to transform the electric vehicle market in Europe as the first EV that combines long range at an affordable price," Barra told an industry conference.
Barra said the Ampera-e would offer a greater electric range than the vast majority of electric vehicles currently available in Europe, and offer room for five passengers and trunk space comparable to that of a compact car.
General Motors said it would announce further details about Ampera-e’s range and price at a later date. Production is set to start in 2017.
(Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Maria Sheahan)
