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Despite General Motors (GM)’s planned exit from the South African market, German car brand, Opel, on Wednesday unveiled its growth plan for the market, expressing total commitment to the country in which it has been operating for more than eight decades.
At a media briefing in Johannesburg, Opel, which has now been sold to French carmaker, PSA, by GM, revealed plans to further strengthen the brand and grow its market presence in the country. It also announced the appointment of The Williams Hunt Group as the sole distributor for the Opel brand in South Africa, effective January 2018. Opel also used the occasion to announce new exciting entries to its portfolio, including the new Opel Crossland X, which was revealed at the occasion by the Director International Sales, Opel, Bill Mott.
The Williams Hunt Group has been a major and outstanding Opel partner in South Africa for many years contributing to some 20 per cent of the sales already today. With the new arrangement, Opel said it plans to further grow in South Africa and strengthen the brand and service to its customers.
The German car brand said it will launch the new Opel Crossland X in the second half of 2017 and the Opel Grandland X in 2018, promising its customers a continued focus on strengthening the portfolio with new and exciting German-engineered vehicles that meet and exceed their expectations.
Opel has been one of South Africa’s favourite car brands for decades, with a presence in the market since the 1930s. South African consumers have enjoyed a major product onslaught from Opel since 2012 with the launch of 13 new vehicles in the market.
The current Opel lineup in South Africa includes the ADAM, Corsa, Astra and Mokka.
“Opel has had great success in South Africa,” said Bill Mott, Director of International Sales Operations. “Many of our models have enjoyed great popularity among the buying public and have received rewards and acclaim from the motoring press. Just this year, the Opel Astra was the winner of the South African Car of the Year competition – a great indication of the brand’s ongoing success in this market.”
Other recent Opel accolades include:
- Opel Corsa was the winner in Independent Motoring’s Best of the Best Awards in the Best Budget Buy segment (2015);
- Opel Astra was the overall winner of Independent Motoring’s Best of the Best Awards and the winner in the Best Family Car category (2016);
- Opel ADAM and Opel Corsa were 2016 Car of the Year finalists;
- Opel Corsa 1.0 Ecoflex won the Powertrain of the Year award in Top 12 Car Magazine Best Buys (February 2016);
- Opel ADAM and Opel Astra were 2016 Women on Wheels Car of the Year finalists in the hatchback category;
- Opel Corsa 1.0 Turbo Enjoy won in the compact hatchback category in the cars.co.za Awards (January 2017). “Opel customers can expect the same quality of aftersales support and no changes to existing warranties,” Bill Mott added. “We will ensure that our customers receive outstanding sales and aftersales support as we continue to further grow in the South African market.”
Opel is fast on its way to achieving its vision of becoming the number two passenger car brand in Europe by 2022.
In 2016, Opel sales in Europe increased approximately 4 percent with over 1.6 million vehicles sold, representing the company’s best year in terms of sales since 2011. Opel’s market share grew in 12 markets, while sales grew in 18 markets.
Notably, 2017 will be the most active year in the history of Opel, with the introduction of the “7 in 17” model offensive. Never before did the car manufacturer launch that many new cars in one single year.
Over the past two years, Opel sales in South Africa have grown 9.6 percent, compared to an overall market decline of 15.5 percent.
Bill Mott added: “We view South Africa as an important market. We are confident that the brand will continue to grow from strength to strength globally, and here in South Africa, because of the solid foundation that has been built in the 80-plus years Opel has been here.”
