..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
Opel/Vauxhall is currently in the middle of the biggest model offensive in its history and its plan to bring 29 new models to the market from 2016 through 2020 is right on course. This year, Opel will be bringing seven new models into the market in a campaign tagged “7 in 17”.
In addition to the new generation of the Insignia flagship, which will be available as a five-door sedan (Insignia Grand Sport), as a station wagon (Insignia Sports Tourer) and a crossover version (Insignia Country Tourer), the company will also launch two models in the fast-growing CUV segment (Crossover Utility Vehicles) – the Crossland X and the Grandland X. Furthermore, spring will see the arrival of the Ampera-e electric car – a true range champion. The 2017 model offensive will be completed by an especially attractive variant of the Opel Vivaro.
The plan comes as the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker savours the gains of its European sales which increased significantly by four percent in 2016. It is expected that the model offensive would continue to ensure further growth in 2017.
Meanwhile, provisional data released from its Rüsselsheim headquarters indicate that Opel sold approximately 1.16 million units in 2016. This is a year on-year increase of some 46,000 vehicles or four percent and is the highest sales volume since 2011.
Overall, Opel managed to increase sales in 18 of 22 markets including, amongst others, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland. Market share was also up in 12 markets. Opel/Vauxhall’s market share of the overall European market was almost unchanged at 5.73 percent. Significantly lower sales volumes in the United Kingdom following the Brexit vote offset the market share increase on numerous European markets.
The new Opel Astra was the main driver of the increase in sales across Europe. The European “Car of the Year 2016” was newly registered more than 285,000 times – up over 25 percent from the previous year. It therefore claimed the accolade of being Opel’s bestselling model.
“We held our own well and increased our sales in a difficult environment in 2016. We are optimistic for 2017. We will continue our growth course thanks to our product offensive with attractive new models. We will be well-placed in the growing CUV segment thanks to our new Crossland X and Grandland X models,” said Vice President Sales & Aftersales Peter Christian Küspert.
