2005 Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid Concept

Gorgeous Concept Unveiled in Detroit

Though Opel-branded products haven't been sold in North America since the 1970s, General Motors' European arm has had a

While the Opel brand isn't sold in North America, General Motors' European division heavily influences GM brands sold here. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

dramatic influence on most GM passenger cars sold here since.

Opel has developed all sorts of important components, such as the modular DOHC V6-series of engines featured in the new Pontiacs, Buicks and Cadillacs, and global platforms and architectures like the Epsilon and Delta, used to underpin cars like the midsize Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 and compact Saturn Ion and Chevy Cobalt.

Opel has even developed entire vehicles, such as the late Cadillac Catera (a rebadged Opel Omega), the plastic-paneled Saturn L-Series (a reskinned Opel Vectra) and the less-than-successful, Korean-built Pontiac Le Mans (a rehashed version of the mid '80s Opel Kadett).

With GM having recently announced that some of the development of its

At this year's North American International Auto Show, the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid will make its world debut. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

American-branded passenger cars will be in the hands of Russelsheim's finest engineers, North Americans will be getting a taste of another area of their expertise: green-energy hybrid vehicles.

At this year's North American International Auto Show, the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid made its world debut. As a part of this year's theme of revolutionary change, the car debuted alongside three other hybrid-powered concept vehicles. A surprise to showgoers and international enthusiasts alike, the car will feature all-new Two-Mode full hybrid technology developed in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler.