Opel Increases Global Sales by a Strong 15% in 2023

• High proportion of electric vehicles: Sales increase of 22% for electric vehicles
• Internationalisation strategy working: 62% increase outside of Europe
• Considerable light commercial vehicle growth: Sales up by 26% 
• Strong growth in the C-segment: Astra and Grandland sales up by 57% 

Opel grew significantly in 2023 with a sales increase of 15%. This is the highest percentage growth rate in more than 20 years. Global sales were up to around 670,000 vehicles giving the German manufacturer its highest registration numbers in four years.

Opel closed 2023 with a market share of around 5.3% on its home market of Germany. In the UK, Vauxhall recorded a market share of six percent. Opel is also very successful in Turkey with a market share of six percent.

“We can look back on a very strong year in 2023. Opel has grown considerably. We have made significant gains, particularly in electric vehicles, across the C-segment and light commercial vehicles. We were also able to significantly expand our international business. This is clear evidence that our strategy is working,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

High proportion of electric vehicles: Sales increase of  22% for electric vehicles

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) were extremely well received by customers. Around 90,000 BEVs sold represent a significant increase of 22 percent compared to previous year. This impressively demonstrates success of Opel’s electrification offensive.

Internationalisation strategy working: 62% increase outside of Europe

Opel grew strongly outside of EU 29 markets last year and increased sales by around 62% to a total of 101,000 vehicles. This corresponds to 15% of the brand’s total sales.

Considerable light commercial vehicle growth: Sales up by 26%

In total, Opel and Vauxhall were able to sell 125,000 light commercial vehicles worldwide, which corresponds to an increase of 26% compared to 2022. Brands secured a leading position among electric vans with around 17,000 units of Combo Electric, Vivaro Electric and Movano Electric sold on the European market (EU 29).

Strong growth in C-segment: Opel Astra and Grandland sales up by 57%

Opel also continued to grow in the highly competitive C-segment. Astra was able to double its European sales (EU 29) in 2023 with all drive versions. Overall, Opel recorded significant growth worldwide in the C‑segment. Compared to the previous year, the brand sold around 57% more units of Astra and Grandland.

Opel Corsa and Mokka continue to be successful across Europe

Corsa once again proved to be a bestseller last year. In company's two largest markets, Germany and  United Kingdom, it was most popular choice in B-segment. In Greece, Opel Corsa was even the best-selling car overall in country. In addition to leading way in Germany and United Kingdom, the Corsa Electric took second place in registration statistics in its segment in Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Austria. Mokka Electric was most popular B-SUV in United Kingdom and finished second in Germany, Spain, Poland and Belgium.

All-New Electric Opel SUV will be Named Frontera

• Sustainable mobility: New SUV to extend Opel’s battery-electric line-up
• Back to the future: Opel will present new model called Frontera later this year

Opel has announced return of Frontera nameplate in 2024. Name will make its comeback on an all-new SUV model. New Frontera, which will be presented later this year, will be a fun car with clever functional features. It will also display a new rugged interpretation of Opel’s bold and pure design philosophy and be first production car from the German brand to bear new Opel ‘Blitz’ emblem. New Frontera will be available as a battery-electric vehicle from very start.

Opel CEO Florian Huettl: “Name ‘Frontera’ is ideally suited to our new exciting SUV model. It will have a confident character and be positioned right in core of market.”

New Opel Frontera will come with a high level of space and versatility and thus appeal to customers with an active lifestyle and families alike. Newcomer will also continue Opel’s long-standing tradition of bringing affordable mobility to a wide range of customers by being offered at an attractive price.

Arrival of battery-electric variant of new Frontera, along with launch of all-electric version of next generation Grandland also scheduled for this year, will mark an important milestone in Rüsselsheim brand’s transition to becoming a fully electric brand. Opel will then offer at least one battery-electric variant in each carline.

Wide range of battery-electric Opel models today already extends from Rocks Electric quadricycle, Corsa Electric, Mokka Electric, Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric, to new Combo Electric and Zafira Electric people carriers. In addition, battery-electric versions of entire commercial vehicle portfolio are already available today – including new Combo Electric, new Vivaro Electric and new Movano Electric.

Opel will reveal first images of new Frontera along with more detailed information on the newcomer in the upcoming weeks.

January 21, 1899: Opel Began Producing Automobiles 125 Years Ago

• Start of an era: 1899 contract-signing made Opel an automobile manufacturer
• Current bestsellers “made in Rüsselsheim”: Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer
• Anniversary under banner of electromobility: Battery-electric variant of every Opel carline in 2024

2024 is a special year for Opel, under the banner of electromobility. For the first time in the brand's history, every model will have a battery-electric variant – above all the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric, one of the first battery-electric estate cars on the market. However, the company laid the foundation for affordable, innovative and future-proof mobility on four wheels 125 years ago. On January 21, 1899, Wilhelm Opel, son of the company founder Adam Opel, signed a contract with the locksmith Friedrich Lutzmann to buy his Motorwagenfabrik (motor car factory), the starting signal for automobile production at Opel. This marked the start of a new era that would write history far beyond Rüsselsheim. A previously successful sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer, Opel thus ventured into territory unknown to the company exactly 125 years ago.

Since then, more than 75 million Opel vehicles have left the production plants all over Europe. One of the current bestsellers comes from Rüsselsheim: the latest generation of the Opel Astra. As Opel marks the 125th anniversary of automobile production and sets course for the future, the innovative compact class model rolls off the assembly line today with advanced technologies and electrified, locally emissions-free drivetrains.

Opel CEO, Florian Huettl: “Like Opel 125 years ago, we are now at the beginning of a new era. Back then, the company became a pioneer by entering the automobile age. Nowadays, Opel is an electric pioneer, offering locally emissions-free, individual mobility that is also suitable for everyday use. Such as new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric. Like the first Opel automobile, this car also comes from Rüsselsheim. We are proud of this heritage and will therefore be celebrating the anniversary of 125 years of automobile production at Opel under the banner of electromobility”.

Late 1890s: From sewing machines and bicycles to automobiles

Opel's success story began in 1862. Adam Opel built his first sewing machine in Rüsselsheim, thereby laying the foundation for the company. Opel soon developed into one of the largest sewing machine manufacturers in Germany and exported all over Europe. With the bicycle, Opel gained its next successful foothold. The first penny-farthing was built in Rüsselsheim in 1886, making Opel one of the first bicycle makers in Germany. In the 1920s – in parallel to the car business – Opel became the world's largest bicycle manufacturer, a success for which the sons of the now deceased company founder were responsible.

They are also the ones who made the fundamental change to motorised transportation for the Opel company. Due to a decline in the bicycle business in the 1890s, the Opel brothers were searching for new products and came across the automobile. Fritz and Wilhelm Opel visited the first German Motor Show in Berlin in 1897 and met Friedrich Lutzmann there. The master locksmith had been producing motor cars since 1894 and therefore had the experience the Opel brothers were looking for. He invited the Opel brothers to his factory in Dessau where Fritz and Wilhelm immediately recognised the potential for automobile manufacturing that Lutzmann offered them.

While all involved initially thought of a cooperation, the Opel brothers then made Lutzmann an attractive offer for the entire production, including land, building and workshop equipment. On January 21, 1899, Wilhelm Opel and Friedrich Lutzmann signed the contract for a purchase price of 116,887 marks and the factory became the property of Opel.

The whole company, including employees and machinery, was relocated from Dessau to the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim. Lutzmann himself was appointed sales manager of the Adam Opel Motorfahrzeug-Fabrik.

The takeover of the production and patents meant that Opel immediately gained years of experience in building motor vehicles. From then on, Lutzmann and selected employees brought in from Opel’s bicycle production manufactured cars under the name Opel in a specially erected building. The first advertisements for the new models appeared as early as spring 1899 and announced, “Opel motorcars are the best”.

Pioneering achievement from Rüsselsheim: New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric

While 125 years ago the Opel-Patentmotorwagen System Lutzmann was a pioneering achievement as the first automobile from Rüsselsheim, today this is the latest generation of the bestseller Opel Astra, which is designed, developed and manufactured there. The especially dynamic electrified top models Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP 1: 1.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 30-29 g/km) roll off the assembly line in Rüsselsheim, along with the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric. The all-electric compact class estate, one of the first of its kind, made its world premiere at last year’s IAA Mobility, impressing all with its design, comfort and spaciousness, and especially its performance. The electric motor delivers 115 kW/156 hp and a powerful 270 Newton meters of maximum torque. And while many other electric cars are limited to 150 km/h or 160 km/h, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric can reach a top speed of 170 km/h. A driving range of up to 413 km (WLTP2) is possible on a single charge of the battery. State-of-the-art technologies, such as the class-leading IntelliLux LED Pixel Light with 168 LED elements, and the IntelliDrive 2.0 system with semi-automatic lane change and intelligent speed adaptation, are also available.

125 years after the start of automobile production in Rüsselsheim, Opel and its customers are driving into the future locally emissions-free, with vehicles that are fun to drive and suitable for everyday use. 2024 will be marked by the major anniversary and Opel's continued journey towards electrification, accompanied by celebrations as well as innovative new models. More information about the anniversary year will follow soon.

[1] Values determined using the more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle's consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. Information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.

[2] Range values determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

ADAC Ecotest 2023: Podium for Opel Astra Electric

• Sustainability success: All-electric Astra takes third position among 94 cars
• Sets standards: Opel only German carmaker in top 10
• Long distance travel: Up to 418 km (WLTP 1) locally emissions-free without charging stop

Opel Astra Electric is fun to drive, features state-of-the-art technologies and is highly efficient. Confirmation has now been provided by ADAC German automobile club. In the ADAC Ecotest 2023  battery-electric version of the compact class bestseller secured third position among 94 current passenger cars. Strong result also makes Opel the only German brand in the top 10. Opel thus sets standards when it comes to electromobility suitable for everyday use.

Opel Astra Electric scored 103 out of 110 possible points to achieve the best five-star rating. According to ADAC: “Cleanest cars drive electrically – although ADAC does not consider electric cars as zero emissions vehicles and includes the emissions created during energy-generation.” Summing up the result for the locally emissions-free Opel ADAC said: “With 103 points on its Ecotest-debut Opel Astra Electric made a strong impression. Car from Rüsselsheim distanced itself from competition in compact class. Low kerb weight, good energy management and standard heat pump contribute to reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.”

With assets like these Opel Astra Electric combines fun with responsibility. Electric motor delivers 115 kW/156 hp and a powerful 270 Newton metres of maximum torque from the first touch of the accelerator. Low kerb weight of 1,679 kilogrammes contributes further to the lively progress and low energy consumption. Also, while many other electric cars are limited to 150 km/h or 160 km/h, new Opel Astra Electric has a top speed of 170 km/h.

Energy is stored in a 54-kWh lithium-ion battery. Five-door Opel Astra can cover up to 418 kilometres locally emissions-free (WLTP 1) and requires just 14.8 kWh of electricity per 100 km (WLTP 2) – also thanks to heat pump. Opel Astra Electric is therefore a highly efficient car for everyday use as well as longer journeys. In addition, regenerative braking system ensures that energy can be recovered while driving. These attributes – along with additional roominess for family holidays – are shared by the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric, one of the first all-electric estate cars on the market.

[1] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). Actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

[2] Values determined using more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. A vehicle's consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. Information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between various vehicle types.

Opel Corsa Best-selling Small Car in Germany in 2023

• Every fourth newly registered Opel Corsa already battery-electric
• Highest Opel Corsa registrations since 2016
• Vauxhall Corsa also most popular small car in the UK

Opel Corsa has successfully defended its title as the most popular small car in Germany. According to official data published by the Federal Office for Motor Traffic (KBA), the Corsa was the best-selling vehicle in the B segment for the third time in a row in 2023. Total new registrations of almost 54,000 ensured that the small car from Rüsselsheim took first place in its segment. This represents an increase of around 7 per cent compared to 2022 and also means that Corsa registrations reached their highest level since 2016. According to preliminary internal results every fourth newly registered Corsa was a battery-electric Opel Corsa Electric.

Elsewhere, Vauxhall Corsa remains equally popular in the UK where it was the best-selling supermini for the third year in a row, according to the 2023 new car registration figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). With 40,816 units sold, Corsa not only proved to be the most popular supermini on the market in 2023 but was also the country’s third best-selling car overall. It outsold the second best-selling model in the supermini segment by 55.5% (14,568 cars).

Since its premiere in 1982, well over 14.5 million units of the Corsa have been sold worldwide. Last year, Opel launched the new edition of the bestseller – with the characteristic Opel Vizor brand face, intuitive cockpit design, new IntelliLux LED Matrix Light and numerous other top technologies. In the auto motor und sport readers’ choice award “autonis”, Opel Corsa was named “Best New Design of 2023” in the “Small Car” category.

Patrick Dinger, the head of Opel in Germany said: “Our Corsa continues to lead the B segment and represents an important pillar of our car registrations in Germany. This shows, in these times of transformation, that we have the right offer for our customers in our Opel Corsa and Corsa Electric. This year we will continue our transition to becoming a purely electric brand. We will offer at least one battery-electric model in each carline over the course of the year. Opel Crossland successor and all-new Opel Grandland will also be available with pure electric drive.”