Opel Achieves Market Share of 10.2 Percent in September in Germany

Opel benefitted from the timely and consistent preparation of the transition to the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) test cycle in September: The brand with the Blitz achieved a passenger car market share of 10.2 percent (+ 2.6 percentage points) in Germany in September. This is the highest market share in an individual month since December 2010 and the highest September value since 2006.

New vehicles registered as of September 1, 2018, need to be certified according to the WLTP driving cycle. The procedure delivers fuel consumption data much closer to reality than this was the case for its predecessor, the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Unlike some competitors, Opel implemented these regulations at an early stage and can offer the entire passenger car portfolio without restrictions or delays.

Furthermore, Opel is already equipped for the new Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard: Currently, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker offers 127 passenger models that already meet the strict limits of the new standard. It comes into force for all new registrations on September 1, 2019, at the latest.

“We have been preparing for these changes for years and certified our portfolio according to WLTP and Euro 6d-TEMP in good time. We can be proud of that. And now we are benefitting from it. With a view to the discussions on diesel driving bans in Germany, we can clearly say: Whoever buys an Opel now, does not need to fear driving bans,” said Jürgen Keller, Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Opel Germany.

Modern Euro 6d TEMP vehicles, regardless of whether they have a petrol or a diesel engine, are not affected by the current discussions on inner-city driving bans.

Opel also benefitted from the extensive availability of WLTP-certified vehicles in other European countries. The brand with the Blitz achieved a market share of almost six percent in Spain while in France the company delivered its best passenger car market share since May 2015 with 4.3 percent. And Opel’s British sister brand Vauxhall also posted strong sales results in September. The combined passenger car and light commercial vehicles market share reached an 18-month high of 8.6 percent (compared to 7.3 percent in September 2017).