Opel CEO Announces First Plug-In Hybrid from Opel at IAA

• Three world premieres: Opel Grandland X, Opel Insignia GSi and Country Tourer
• Efficient propulsion: Grandland X to be Opel’s first plug-in hybrid
• Opel stand opened: Press conference with Opel boss Michael Lohscheller and Groupe PSA CEO Carlos Tavares

World premiere: Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller announced the arrival of the first Opel plug-in hybrid at the IAA – Grandland X SUV

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller opened the Opel stand (D09 in Hall 8.0) at the 67^th International Motor Show in Frankfurt (open daily until September 24) with a press conference today. With 300 journalists and Groupe PSA CEO Carlos Tavares in attendance, the Opel CEO presented three world premieres.

Strong showing: World premiere for sporty Insignia GSi with Group PSA CEO Carlos Taveres and Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker is bidding to take the booming SUV segment by storm with the compact Opel Grandland X. Lohscheller also announced that the newcomer will soon be available with a new top-of-the range diesel and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the Grandland X will be the first Opel to be offered as a plug-in hybrid.

“Our new Opel Grandland X as plug-in hybrid is the next big example of the opportunities that await us as a member of the PSA group,” said Lohscheller at the press conference. “We will follow this path closely.”

Elsewhere, the new top-of-the-line Opel Insignia models also took center stage. The dynamic GSi continues Opel’s long tradition of sporty limousines with that certain something while the all-wheel drive Country Tourer is the right choice for adventurers.

“We are continuing the biggest model offensive in Opel’s history with these three world premieres. We have made decisive additions to our portfolio this year with the electric range champion, the Ampera-e, the Opel Crossland X crossover, the Vivaro Life recreational vehicle and the Opel Grandland X SUV,” explained Lohscheller in Frankfurt. “We at Opel are proud to be part of the PSA Groupe now. Together we will create a European champion. We will do so by continuing to make technology ‘made in Germany’ available to as many customers as possible, thus staying true to our brand credo the future is everyone’s.”