!NEW! Opel OnStar: 1.5 Million Customer Interactions for Guardian Angel

• 15 vehicles recovered with help of Opel OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance
• Every second new Opel equipped with OnStar

Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million interactions with customers who make contact by phone, mobile app or the blue OnStar service button. 

“Having that guardian angel there is just fantastic!” says Charlotte Tyson about OnStar, the personal connectivity and service assistant introduced by Opel in August 2015. Charlotte from England was one of the first drivers in Europe to experience how OnStar automatically reacts in an emergency. Last October she was on the way to one of her friends when she was involved in a head-on collision with another car. As the airbags in her Corsa deployed, vehicle sensors automatically alerted an OnStar advisor – Charlotte’s guardian angel – who notified the emergency services and stayed with her on the phone until they arrived at the scene of the accident.

Automatic crash response is just one of the many innovative features of Opel OnStar, which makes driving more convenient and ensures best connectivity. The unique service with friendly advisors instead of machines also remotely unlocks doors, downloads destinations directly to the vehicle, sends emails on vehicle health and offers a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Less than nine months after its launch, Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million interactions with customers who make contact by phone, mobile app or the blue OnStar service button. Currently every second new Opel delivered features OnStar.

Opel OnStar is available on all Opel passenger cars, from ADAM, KARL, Corsa and Astra, to Meriva, Mokka, Cascada, Zafira Tourer and Insignia. Less than nine months after launch, Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million customer interactions.

“These unbelievable numbers prove that Opel OnStar is a resounding success! Less than a year after launch, our personal connectivity and service assistant is clearly on its way to becoming the helpful companion every driver of an Opel passenger car wants to have at their side”, exclaims Tina Müller, Chief Marketing Officer Opel Group. “The smartphone generation are ecstatic about the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, while services such as automatic Emergency Call Service provide the older generation with the safety and security they long to have when driving.”

Opel OnStar - Emergency Call Service

The most popular service is the myOpel mobile app, which to date customers with smartphones have launched around 700,000 times by. The app’s most popular features so far are remote locking/unlocking of doors, online vehicle location and honking the vehicle’s horn and flashing its lights. Customers can also call up important data such as oil condition or tire pressures, send destinations to the in-car navigation system and manage the car’s embedded Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle.

The favorite Opel OnStar service is the myOpel app. To date, customers with smartphones have launched the app 700,000 times. The most popular features: locking/unlocking of doors, vehicle location, honking the horn and flashing the lights.

Since launching last year Opel OnStar has received about 300,000 calls from customers and sent more than 150,000 monthly vehicle diagnostics emails. On the internet, customers have logged into the Opel OnStar page around 300,000 times.

Opel OnStar also assists vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Stolen Vehicle Assistance enables Opel OnStar to work closely with police to recover the car quickly and safely and return it to its rightful owner. Ignition Block allows Opel OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle that blocks the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Opel OnStar assists vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Thanks to Opel OnStar, 15 stolen vehicles have been located and returned to their owners to date – even across borders !

Thanks to Opel OnStar, 15 stolen vehicles have been located and returned to their owners to date – even across borders! Dominik Gamel’s Astra was stolen in Austria. He immediately reported the theft to the Austrian police and Opel OnStar, who located the car in neighboring Hungary. Working with the police in both countries, Opel OnStar helped retrieve the car and return it to its rightful owner within 24 hours. “When my Astra was stolen, I was so upset”, recalls Dominik, “I thought I would never see it again. I’m just so grateful to OnStar for getting it back to me!”

Opel OnStar is available on all Opel passenger cars, from ADAM, KARL, Corsa and Astra to Meriva, Mokka and Cascada and Zafira Tourer and Insignia . The Opel OnStar service is offered to customers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, and as Vauxhall OnStar in the United Kingdom. An additional 18 countries will follow as of August 2016.

!NEW! Successful race weekend: Opel at 16. Südsteiermark Classic

Last weekend ushered in the southern Styria Classic for already the sixteenth time a domestic classic car season. Around 160 teams from eight nations with their classic cars at the start, among them Opel Austria with five teams, which provided a perfect appearance.

Opel team in Südsteiermark Classic 2016: Opel GT, Opel Ascona A 400, Opel Commodore B GSE, Opel GT, Opel Kadett B

Not only Mag. Alexander Struckl, CEO Opel Austria was pleased with his 90 hp Opel GT from 1969 to contest the classic race, and Peter Christian Küspert, sales director of Opel Group, took the sport the cult model Opel Commodore B GSE challenge. A Opel Ascona Rallye and an Opel Kadett B Coupé Rallye, driven by Peter List, Chairman of Opel Partner teams (with co-pilot Markus Oppel, Sales Manager Opel Austria) thrilled the audience.

Peter List and Markus Oppel with the Opel Kadett B

Achievements for the Opel team

The Opel team can look back on a successful and successful race weekend. Ronny Rockenbauer could reach the first place in the team standings. Alexander Struckl took the 2nd place in class "Postwar" on the 2nd special stage and the 1st place in the SP 9 "Lödersdorf". Peter Christian Küspert emerged victorious in the team competition on the SP 15 "Einöd" forth.

"It is always a special experience to be in the southern Styria Classic with this. The special flair, the mixture of nostalgia and sporting ambition, and not least the wonderful scenery make this race every year so special. This year Südsteiermark Classic was perfectly complemented by the successes of the Opel team, "says Alexander Struckl, CEO Opel Austria.

One of the stops, lead the team well for Autohaus Opel Krammer in Gleisdorf. Longtime Opel dealer presented its business in a new light. Many guests enjoyed the afternoon sun and were visibly impressed by the new look of the traditional company Krammer.

Special Guest Walter Röhrl

A special guest, who is considered one of the most outstanding rally drivers in motor racing history, could be welcomed as a special guest. Synonyms like "Genius on Wheels" and "Rally driver of the century" show how inextricably Walter Röhrl is connected to the motor sport. Opel also has its history with Walter Röhrl. 1973 Röhrl first came to Opel, several victories in the same year could be celebrated. After switching to other brands Röhrl returned 1982 again back to Opel. The Opel Ascona 400 he won then his second Monte win.

Showpieces from the years 1909 to 1973

The range of exceptional classic cars in southern Styria Classic is remarkable. In the individual periods, the first ranges from about 1908-1935, the last of 1967-1972, vintage fans get their money. The oldest model, with a driver of Liechtenstein was launched was a "Lion Peugeot Racing voiturette" from 1909.

The southern Styria Classic - Every year a special race

The southern Styria Classic enthusiastic again this year participants and spectators alike. It is and remains a synonym for sports, scenic uniqueness, sociability and culinary enjoyment. Enthusiastic driver and front passenger, exceptional vintage, the blend of nostalgia and sporting ambition make Südsteiermark Classic one of the three most important classic car events in Austria. Starting and finishing in Gamlitz the classic car season has been also opened in 2016 in Austria.

Opel Statement on Federal Ministry of Transport Report

Opel welcomes the clarity provided by the report of the German government. The report confirms that our tested cars do not have any devices that recognize whether a vehicle is undergoing an exhaust Emissions Test. The report from the UK government, published yesterday, also proves this.

This is in line with our expectation as we always stated that Opel does not have any devices that recognize whether a vehicle is undergoing an exhaust emissions test. Our software was never designed to cheat or deceive. We meet applicable emissions standards.

Both reports suggest the well-known and well-understood differences between the performance of vehicles in the current lab-based emissions test, which is in urgent need of reform, and in road test conditions. The introduction of RDE testing next year begins to address these differences, although there is work to be done to address boundary conditions relevant to that testing.

Opel is actively engaged in the discussion on RDE. We strongly believe that the industry has to regain trust by increasing the transparency with customers and authorities; and we have taken definitive steps in this direction already last year. As announced on December 15, 2015 and explained in more detail on March 29, 2016, Opel will start an initiative to improve NOx emissions of SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) diesel applications in new vehicles in August. Our offensive also includes a voluntary customer satisfaction field action that will involve Euro 6 SCR vehicles that are already on the road in Europe. This activity will start in June 2016.

This is a voluntary and first early intermediate step towards RDE. Our voluntary action is aligned with the German Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA).

!NEW! Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Electric Vehicle Makes Global Debut in Shanghai

The all-new Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) made its global debut today at the 2016 Buick Day event in Shanghai, where the award-winning Buick Avista concept was also shown for the first time in China.

All-new Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Both models will be appearing on the Buick stand at Auto China 2016 in Beijing, which begins on April 25.

“GM’s leadership in electrification technologies, now and in the future, are coming to Buick in China,” said Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Global Propulsion Systems, at the event. “In fact, over the next five years, we will roll out more than 10 new energy vehicles in China, including several models for Buick. That includes full hybrids, plug-in hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles.”

Buick LaCrosse HEV supports Drive to Green strategy

A major component of SAIC-GM's Drive to Green strategy, the LaCrosse HEV adopts the same design language and technological advances as the recently introduced All-New LaCrosse, along with segment-leading hybrid powertrain technologies. 

The LaCrosse HEV is powered by a 1.8L SIDI engine that is paired with an electric variable transmission and a 1.5 kWh high-performance lithium battery unit. Its green pedigree is supported by numerous advanced technologies such as an electronic climate control compressor, electronic power steering, exhaust thermal energy recycling, and active grille open and close that maximize its efficiency. 

The LaCrosse HEV offers comprehensive fuel economy of 4.7 L/100 km. This represents a 35 percent decrease in fuel consumption from the LaCrosse with eAssist that is powered by a smart hybrid powertrain, yet the LaCrosse HEV sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.

SAIC-GM also released the all-new “Buick Blue” logo for the brand’s green product lineup at Buick Brand Day. The introduction of the LaCrosse HEV and “Buick Blue” logo represents Buick’s focus on upgrading its conventional powertrains and promoting green technologies.

Buick earlier introduced eco-friendly models in China that include the LaCrosse with eAssist and LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid.

Buick Avista concept highlights brand’s future sporty styling

Developed by GM's global design team, the Avista concept embodies Buick's new design language, sophisticated performance and advanced technologies. Shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, it points to the future direction of the brand’s sporty styling.

Buick Avista has an arresting appearance, with flowing, uninterrupted body lines and a 2+2 modern cockpit that is clean, simple and elegant. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that produces 298 kW of maximum power. The engine is supported by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The vehicle has adopted a great deal of carbon fiber and aluminum materials along with 3D printed door and seat trims. It includes trendsetting technologies such as Buick’s next-generation QuietTuning, the advanced Air Quality System and the Buick IntelliLink infotainment system. Its Magnetic Ride Control suspension delivers more precise body motion control than ever.

!NEW! Opel Announces Details on Offensive with Fuel Consumption and Emissions

• Opel to publish WLTP test cycle based fuel consumption numbers, reflecting more everyday driving conditions as of June
• From August onwards, Opel will implement improved SCR diesel applications in new vehicles – improvement towards RDE NOx specifications
• Voluntary customer satisfaction field action for existing diesel cars with SCR technology from June onwards
• Opel will implement SCR technology to entire Diesel Fleet Starting as of 2018

Opel has outlined details of its engineering initiative for more transparency, credibility and efficiency as announced last December. As of this summer, the company will take the voluntarily next step to improve transparency and meet future emission protocols. Starting with the new Opel Astra from June 2016 onwards, and in addition to the official fuel consumption and CO2 information, Opel will publish fuel consumption numbers, reflecting different driving behavior recorded under the WLTP test cycle. In addition, Opel will implement an initiative to improve NOx emissions on SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) diesel applications in new vehicles from August onwards. This is a voluntary and early intermediate step towards the so-called RDE (Real Driving Emissions) legislation that goes into effect in September 2017. Opel is offering to provide the regulatory authorities with the engine calibration strategies, which should serve as the basis for a proactive dialogue.

“We at Opel strongly believe that the industry has to regain trust by increasing the transparency with customers and authorities. Opel takes this step towards RDE to show it can be done”, said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “We announced in December in which direction we are going; now we are delivering the details. I ask the European Union as well as the EU member states and other European countries to accelerate alignment on test set-ups and test interpretations on real-driving-measurements to stop the existing uncertainty caused by test results that are hardly comparable.”

Increase of Transparency on Consumption: Opel steps towards WLTP Test Cycle

From the end of June 2016, and in addition to the official fuel consumption and CO2 information of Opel models, fuel consumption numbers recorded under the WLTP test cycle will be published, starting with the new Opel Astra K.

These figures, which will show a fuel consumption range with a low and a high number, will first be offered for the model year 2016 Astra and published on a dedicated Opel micro-website, creating more transparency. Figures determined under the WLTP test cycle will be published for further models later this year.

According to EU plans, the “New European Driving Cycle” (NEDC) will be replaced starting in 2017 with the more modern standard “Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Vehicles Test Procedure” (WLTP). The WLTP is important to maintain standardized, reproducible and comparable results.

Less emissions for Euro 6 diesel engines: Opel moves towards RDE

As indicated in December, Opel is also taking action related to NOx emissions to improve Euro 6 diesel SCR engines in the direction of future RDE. RDE is the real driving emissions standard which supplements current test methods and measures a car’s emissions directly on the road.

Dr. Neumann emphasized: "I strongly believe that diesel technology will only continue to play a major role in Europe if the industry sticks to the path of continuous improvement. That is one of the reasons why we decided to implement SCR-Technology to the entire diesel fleet starting as of 2018. With this we do not only talk about a strategy of regaining trust, we also talk about a strategy to preserve the advantage of Europe’s automotive industry in diesel technology.”

The start of the implementation for this Euro 6 SCR improvement in new vehicles is currently scheduled for August 2016. In addition, this activity also includes a voluntary customer satisfaction field action that will involve 57,000 Euro 6 SCR vehicles that are already on the road in Europe (Zafira Tourer, Insignia and Cascada). This activity will start in June 2016 already.

!NEW! Opel Insignia 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX Drives 2,111 Kilometers on One Tank of Fuel

• One tank of fuel: Hypermiler Felix Egolf busts 2,000 kilometer barrier
• Average consumption 3.46 liters: Around ten percent below official figures
• Long distance champion: Standard Opel Insignia 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX

Rest in Rüsselsheim: Hypermiler Felix Egolf (kneeling) met Christian Müller, the head of Propulsion Systems at Opel, for a chat about saving fuel.

The Opel Insignia is the master of miserliness in the middle class. Opel officially list a combined consumption of 3.9 to 3.8 liters (104 to 99g CO2/km) depending on the specification for the sedan with the 100 kW/136 hp, 1.6 liter whisper diesel (from €27,945 RRP including VAT in Germany). In Germany, the car is in the A+ efficiency class. However, an independent expert from Switzerland has now proved that this data can be undercut considerably in average central European traffic conditions. Felix Egolf, a former Airbus pilot, is a hypermiler and thus part of a community that is permanently trying to establish new minimal consumption values. During his trip from the Alps to the North Sea and back, he only needed 3.46 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. In total, he drove 2,111 kilometers on a single tank of fuel.

Provisional result: On average, Opel Insignia consumed just 3.2 l/100 km of diesel during the drive from Lucerne to Rüsselsheim, at an average speed of 76 km/h.

Egolf’s tour started in Lucerne on April 6. From there, he travelled to the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim via the Black Forest. In Rüsselsheim, he stopped for a chat with Vice President GM Global Propulsion Systems – Europe, Christian Müller. “The fuel gauge in the Insignia still showed that the tank was almost full when Felix Egolf arrived in Rüsselsheim. He managed to complete the first 429 kilometers with an average consumption of only 3.2 liters. It is great that he managed to crack the 2,000-kilometer mark,” said Müller.

Back on the road again: From the Opel HQ in Rüsselsheim, Felix Egolf’s journey in the Opel Insignia continued to the German North Sea coast and back to Switzerland.

The hypermiling tour then took Egolf to Münster, Oldenburg and up to Cuxhaven on the North Sea coast. The return leg saw him pass Hanover, Kassel, St. Gallen before coming to a successful end in Zurich on April 8.

“I have wanted to crack the 2,000 kilometer barrier for some time now but I couldn’t find the car to do it. The excellent aerodynamics of the Opel Insignia (cd value of 0.26 plus small frontal area) combined with the Eco Contact 5 low-rolling resistance tires contributed to this outstanding result. This hypermiling tour with the Opel Insignia also shows that anybody who has an anticipatory driving style can easily equal or better the official consumption figures. Anybody can be a hypermiler,” said Egolf.

On the drive to Cuxhaven, Felix Egolf appreciated the qualities of the Opel Insignia, especially as a comfortable touring sedan. The engine impressed with maximum torque of 320 Newton meters, which is already available in a low and thus fuel-saving rpm range between 2,000 and 2,250 rpm, exemplary smoothness and plenty of power.

Packed with power, plenty of torque, low emissions and low consumption - and all of this combined with exemplary smoothness, this is what the Opel Insignia 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX with 136 hp stands for. The impressive maximum torque of 320 Newton meters already lies within the engine speed range between 2,000 and 2,250 rpm. Opel’s flagship also comes with a wide range of technological, safety and comfort aspects, for example ultra-modern radar-based and camera-based assistance systems: Everything from the Adaptive Cruise Control, the Side Blind Zone Alert to the Forward Collision Assist are all included. Furthermore, the excellent premium seats certified by AGR – the German healthy back expert organization "Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V." provide optimum seating comfort and numerous adjustment options, including four-way lumbar support. The personal online and service assistant Opel OnStar also ensures that the Insignia is fully connected and can offer a fast Wi-Fi Hotspot for up to seven mobile devices.

!NEW! All-New Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Electric Vehicle to Be Unveiled in China

Expands brand’s green product lineup, promotes eco-friendly mobility solutions

All-New Buick LaCrosse Hybrid

SAIC-GM announced that the all-new Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) will be unveiled in Shanghai on April 18. GM’s joint venture with SAIC will also outline Buick’s vision for green transportation and introduce the award-winning Buick Avista concept for the first time in China.

A major product under SAIC-GM's Drive to Green strategy, the all-new LaCrosse HEV adopts the design language and technological advances of the all-new LaCrosse, as well as segment-leading hybrid powertrain technologies.

It is powered by a 1.8L SIDI engine that is paired with an electric two-motor drive unit that provides additional power to assist the engine during acceleration. The result is an eco-friendly, premium driving experience for owners as well as a practical green solution for sustainable urban transportation.

The Avista coupe made its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year. It was developed by GM's global design team and embodies Buick's future design language.

The Avista pays homage to Buick’s heritage while showing the future direction of the brand’s timeless styling. It has a striking appearance, with a 2+2 modern cockpit that is clean and elegant.

Its twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine, which churns out 298 kW of power, is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In combination with a Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension, it offers precise handling.

Throughout its 19-year history in China, Buick has remained attentive to customer needs. It has actively introduced advanced technologies backed by GM's global technical expertise. SAIC-GM’s Drive to Green strategy is focused on making its vehicles leaders in fuel efficiency.

!NEW! First Quarter Opel Sales up by Around 8 Percent in Europe

• Good start to new year: Best opening quarter since 2011
• Opel breaks through the 300,000 new vehicle barrier in the first quarter
• Volume increases in 17 markets, market share up in 15 markets
• Opel Astra Sports Tourer and Opel Mokka X add further impetus

Astra-nomical: New Opel Astra was sold 37,000 times in the first quarter – an increase of around 40 percent compared to its predecessor last year.

Great start to the year for Opel: The brand sold around 303,000 vehicles across Europe in the first quarter – an increase of almost 24,000 vehicles or 8 percent compared to the same period of 2015. Opel has managed to break through the 300,000 new vehicle barrier for the first time in five years thanks to the successful ongoing product offensive. The brand with the Blitz showed a stronger development than the overall European market, which only grew by 5 percent from January to March. Opel’s market share was thus up by around 0.2 percentage points to 6 percent. The company therefore recorded it best first quarter sales figures and market share for five years.

Germany, Spain, France or Belgium are the prime examples for Opel’s ongoing upwards trend. First quarter sales were up in 17 markets, the market share grew in 15 markets. The development in Spain was particularly satisfying with Opel taking top spot on the passenger car market in Q1. Furthermore, Opel is the fastest growing brand in the top 5 in Belgium (+11 percent). Elsewhere, Opel’s market share in the Netherlands was up by almost a quarter to 7.4 percent.

The new Opel Astra is largely responsible for the Rüsselsheim-based carmakers recent success. The five-door variant of Europe’s “Car of the Year 2016” was sold 37,000 times in the first quarter – and increase of around 40 percent compared to its predecessor last year. Opel has already received around 150,000 orders for the new Opel Astra from across Europe even though the important station wagon variant, the Astra Sports Tourer, is only just being introduced to dealers across Europe.

“A good start to the year. The customers across Europe really like our young and attractive model range with the Opel Astra and the Astra Sports Tourer as the current highlights. Opel Mokka X will add further impetus later this year. We are well on track to increasing our sales considerably in 2016,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group.

!NEW! And the Winner is… #ADAMyourself: Opel Online Campaign has Internet Abuzz

• Campaign has become internet event: More than 3.3 million visitors to website
• Exactly my style: Users create over 100,000 unique Opel ADAM variants
• An Opel ADAM model for every country: Twelve winners of online competition named 

Under the motto “Endless possibilities – exactly my style“, Opel has invited the internet and social media community to create its very own unique Opel ADAM on www.adamyourself.com since December. The goal is to turn the best Opel ADAM design into reality. The response to the campaign with ten creative lifestyle bloggers from different countries in Europe has been huge: to date, more than 3.3 million users from all over Europe have visited the website and spent an average of more than four minutes clicking through the various menus and stories. In the process, they have created more than 100,000 individual Opel ADAM styles, each exactly the way its creator wanted it. And now the twelve country winners have been named (two of the ten bloggers have each created styles for two countries). Opel ADAM designs will already begin rolling off the assembly line in their respective country from this fall.

“With #ADAMyourself we went straight to where the Opel ADAM clientele is – the internet. The young bloggers were always part of the action and posted a lot of fun and interesting stories about our bold city car on social media channels. And the community submitted a total of over 2.6 million votes for the different ADAM designs. The campaign is the best example of how much enthusiasm the car and lifestyle combination can create – and how individuals can make their dream car become reality,” says Elsa Touchard, brand manager strategy and sponsoring, about the online campaign’s success to date.

So much creativity made it a real challenge for Opel representatives and the ten European bloggers to choose the winner from each country’s ten most popular ADAM variants. In Germany, Vanessa S. won with her stylish “Red Velvet Cake” ADAM. The new design variant will be exclusively produced for the German market – and as winner of the competition, Vanessa S. will be the official “advertising face” for “her” Opel ADAM.

Germany: And the winner is “Red Velvet Cake”. 

But before that, the national winners will head to Berlin in mid-April for the winners’ event.

There the group of twelve will stay in an exclusive ADAM loft and take part in video and photo shoots. Of course Opel ADAM fans will be kept updated on all news on social media channels and on www.adamyourself.com.

!NEW! Opel Germany Reports Best First Quarter in Five Years

• Passenger car market share grew to 7.5 percent from January to March
• Opel Astra success story: Already more than 140,000 orders in Europe

Opel Astra success story: Already more than 140,000 orders in Europe.

Thanks to its successful model offensive, Opel has started this year on its domestic German market stronger than in the last five years. In the first quarter, the Rüsselsheim automaker increased passenger car sales by around 7,500 units or 14.5 percent to 59,000 cars. So in the first three months of the year, Opel’s growth was more than three times that of the overall German passenger car market, which only reached a plus of 4.5 percent. Opel’s market share increased between January and March by about 0.7 percentage points to around 7.5 percent. With this, Opel recorded the best first quarter since 2011 both in terms of market share and volume.

Following strong growth in January and February, Opel continued its upward trend in March and increased both sales and market share. Sales volume last month grew by around 1.3 percent to about 23,400 units, while the overall German passenger car market was practically stagnant with a total increase of just 41 units.

The strong start to the year was again mainly due to the high demand for Europe’s “Car of the Year 2016”, the new Opel Astra. Over 7,200 units of the current generation of the five-door model were sold in the first quarter – a plus of more than 80 percent compared to sales of the predecessor model during the same period last year.

The station wagon variant, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, makes its premiere at German dealerships on Saturday, April 9. 

More than 140,000 orders have already been received in Europe for the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Another success story was Opel’s flexibility champion Meriva, which recorded strong growth of nearly 19 percent. With more than 4,000 units sold, it was number one in the MPV B segment, just like the Opel Mokka in the SUV B segment. Sales of the Opel Zafira Tourer family van grew by an impressive 16 percent

!NEW! Great Tradition: Techno Classica under the spell of the Opel GT

• Hall of fame: Opel presents the GT legend at Techno Classica
• Essen-premiere: Geneva show-star Opel GT Concept makes German debut
• Highly tuned display: Famous GT conversions from Conrero, Gerent and Irmscher

Still working that magic: Alongside the original 1968 Opel GT production model, the futuristic Opel GT Concept makes its first appearance in Germany at this year’s Techno Classica.

The legendary Opel GT weaves its magic again at this year’s Techno Classica in Essen (April 6-10). Alongside the original GT sports car of the late nineteen-sixties and seventies, the futuristic GT Concept – the star of this year’s Geneva International Motor Show – will celebrate its German public debut.

The legend began in 1965 when the Opel Experimental GT design study became the shooting star of that year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. Designer Erhard Schnell’s vision of a sleek, uncompromising yet affordable sports car received such an enthusiastic reception that Opel decided to put it into production. Three years later and based on proven Kadett B technology, the GT hit the market. The rest, as they say, is history.

Back then the Kadett was the touring car to beat in motorsport, and the tuning community was eager to lay its hands on the new sports car built from affordable mass-produced components. At the Techno Classica Opel will therefore present – in addition to a classic production-GT in red – three conversions from tuners Conrero, Gerent and Irmscher.

Six-pack: At this year’s Techno Classica the futuristic Opel GT Concept will celebrate its German public debut alongside the original Experimental GT study, the production GT and three conversions from tuners Conrero, Gerent and Irmscher

In its heyday the Gerent GT in “Group 4 Appendix J” specification was a frequent contender for 2.0 liter class victories, while the example from the Italian Conrero racing team was the hero of the 1971 Targa Florio, where it finished ninth overall. Thanks to the ingenuity and race-craft of Conrero Squadra Corse, the Opel GT not only earned the respect of its 2.0 liter classmates – mostly Porsche 911 and 914/6 – it also managed to beat them. The Opel GT from Irmscher is an immaculate restoration.

The GT hall of fame in Essen will be completed by the Opel GT Concept. The avant-garde yet purist sports car renounces everything that disturbs the pure form. The GT Concept has no door handles or exterior door mirrors, and no superfluous decorative elements. It is a dynamic driving machine as symbolized by the typical sports car proportions, with a long bonnet and ultra-short overhangs, and the bold red signature line that graphically splits the vehicle body horizontally. The absence of a trunk lid, the intriguing and innovative door design, the central dual exhaust, the looks of the steering wheel and of course, the name all refer to the original GT. However, apart from striking red tires that also adorned the equally avant-garde Motoclub 500 Opel motorbike of 1928, the GT Concept does not mime its ancestor. Instead, without nostalgia or retro-design, the GT Concept re-invents the innovative, daring and exciting spirit of the original, opening a new chapter in the GT-legend.