GM says will shut Russian plant, wind down Opel brand

General Motors Co said on Wednesday it would idle its car plant in St. Petersburg and wind down its Opel brand, reducing its presence on the Russian mass market and resulting in around $600 million in special charges. Car sales in Russia have plunged, hit by an economic downturn following Western sanctions over Ukraine and a weak rouble. "This decision avoids significant investment into a market that has very challenging long-term prospects," GM President Dan Ammann said in a statement