GM sharpens focus

General Motors Corp. will continue to rely on its Opel cars for volume in Japan, but it also plans to sharpen the focus on three of its North American brands, as well. Saturn will lead the charge in that regard, with RHD models debuting in the first-half of 1997. The Chevrolet brand will specialize in performance cars -- like Corvette and Camaro -- and sport/utility vehicles (SUVs). Cadillac will round out the lineup as the luxury car marque, with its first RHD model -- likely the Opel-based Catera -- debuting "in a couple of years," according to GM North American Operations President G. Richard Wagoner. GM, which sells cars through about 183 Yanase & Co. Ltd. dealers, will continue with that relationship, but add company-controlled dealers in strategic spots. If GM hits targets, sales should top 100,000 units by 2000 -- including the Toyota-badged Cavalier that bowed at the show.