Now that General Motors is very much poised to sell its Opel brand, the company is planning on releasing a UK-spec Chevrolet Volt that will go head-to-head with the Opel / Vauxhall Ampera in the United Kingdom. Both vehicles are scheduled for a 2012 release.

Initial reports from some months back had GM rebadging the Volt as the Ampera for Europe. Of course, the company can’t really do that now because it is selling Opel to Magna International, a deal expected to be finalized by September.

There will undoubtedly be many similarities between the Volt and the Ampera once both come off the wraps in a couple of years. That is especially true for the power train, since both cars will have essentially the same petrol-electric hybrid system. The petrol engine in both acts as a generator that will extend the electric motor’s life once the charge is gone.

The Vauxhall Ampera is expected to have an appearance that is traditionally European. The UK-spec Chevrolet Volt, on the other hand, is expected to come with less-advanced equipment but should come with a slightly less-expensive price tag.