Opel Increases Global Sales in the First Quarter of 2026 – Double-Digit Growth in Europe

• Worldwide growth: New registrations increase by almost 8% in the first quarter
• Strong in Europe: Passenger car sales in Europe up almost 18% year-on-year
• Continued strength: Corsa remains best-selling small car in Germany and the UK
• Convincing SUVs: Opel Grandland, Frontera and Mokka with double-digit increase

Opel grew worldwide significantly in the first quarter of 2026. From January to March, Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall sold more than 157,000 cars and light commercial vehicles. That is almost 8%  more than in the previous year.

Growth drivers included the SUV models Mokka, Frontera and Grandland newly launched in 2025. The trio recorded double-digit growth compared to the first quarter of 2025. The new Frontera, for example, is also very successful as an electric vehicle. In the United Kingdom (UK) it is the best-selling all-electric B-SUV in the first quarter of the year, in Spain it ranks fourth and, in the Netherlands, it ranks fifth.

Meanwhile, demand for the Opel Corsa, Germany's best-selling small car for over five years, remains high and is even increasing. Sales of the bestseller were up by 25% in Germany in March. It thus remains the undisputed number one among small cars in Opel’s home market in the first quarter. The same is true in the United Kingdom, while the Corsa is number two in the Netherlands and number three in Portugal, Belgium and Turkey.

"All these figures clearly show that Opel is on a clear road to success. Furthermore, the new Astra has recently started rolling off the production line at our main plant in Rüsselsheim. Our designers and engineers have done an excellent job. The car will convince customers and give us additional drive. I am convinced: 2026 will be a good year for Opel," said Florian Huettl, CEO Opel and Vauxhall.

Passenger car sales in Europe developed particularly positively. From January to March, Opel and Vauxhall sold more than 115,000 passenger cars in the EU29 region. That is 18% more than a year ago. The market share rose by 0.4 percentage points to 3.3%. Also remarkable: In almost all markets, new registrations were higher than in the first quarter of 2025.

Things went particularly well in Opel's home market of Germany. Almost 33,600 new passenger car registrations in the first quarter represent an increase of 39% compared to the same period last year. The market share was up by 1.2 percentage points to 4.8%. In March alone, 13,700 Opel passenger cars were newly registered – that was an impressive 43% more than in the same month of 2025.

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.

Opel Astra F with over 1,000,000 kilometers on the clock

• Gerry Dirix, owner of a 25-year-old Opel Astra F, visits Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim
• More than a million kilometers on the clock: it's possible!
• 31 years of Opel Astra: Compact bestseller and ambassador of innovation
• Five generations of success: Nearly 15 million Astras (F-K generations) sold

Beginning of a new era with the sixth generation of Astra, available as a plug-in hybrid, i.e. with electric drive, in two power variants.

Since 1991, Opel Astra has continued the tradition of innovation started by the Opel Kadett in the compact class. Opel Kadett brought premium technology to the mainstream and the Opel Astra - like its predecessor - has been Opel's ambassador of innovation through all its generations. The Astra gave everyone access to expressive design, versatility and dynamic handling, along with German thrills, precision and reliability. New generation of Opel's compact model, which made its debut in 1991, fully embodied the spirit of innovation that reigned at Opel. Newcomer also had a new name - Astra - and featured state-of-the-art security systems,

Opel Astra F emphasized reliability and durability. With this Astra, Opel had already taken an important step, opting for a closed circuit of raw materials with a high degree of component recyclability. From 1991 to 1997, Opel produced no less than 4.13 million Astras, making the Astra F the best-selling Opel to date. Opel was keen to point out that Gerry Dirix was one such buyer and takes great care of his car.

Gerry - immensely and rightfully proud of his car - wanted to personally present his Astra to Opel's new CEO, Florian Huettl. After all, his car has over a million kilometers on the clock and it still has the original engine and gearbox. A unique event for him and Opel!

This loyal customer is therefore called Gerry Dirix and he comes from Paal-Beringen. He is 45 years old and has been an Opel driver for decades. Professionally, he is a musician and also works in an educational institution.

At the age of 20, he bought an Opel Kadett as his first car, and his second car was a 1997 Opel Astra F, which already had 150,000 km on the clock. 25 years later, he has traveled a unique route, totaling more than 1,000,000 kilometers on the clock without any problems!

This car is still used for his daily trips.

Thanks to his calm driving style, good care and timely maintenance of his vehicle, Gerry achieved a unique performance.

He left on Tuesday, July 12 for Rüsselsheim with his Opel Astra F. "A very exciting moment that I was looking forward to," he says. “My car was ready a week in advance and had undergone a full technical check. Everything went off without a hitch, like it has for the past 25 years. But of course, I still had a little stress. An invitation from the headquarters of Opel is still something”.

Man from Beringen therefore arrived in Rüsselsheim on Tuesday evening without incident, with no less than a million and 11,000 kilometers on the clock. “A unique case,” he comments proudly.

Secret of this exceptional longevity, according to Gerry? “My car has always been maintained in an official garage with original parts. And of course the love of the driver also plays a role. Because it is and remains simple: take care of your car like a person, with love and respect”, says Gerry with great pride.

A message to which Opel fully subscribes, wishing Gerry Dirix and his Opel Astra F many pleasant kilometers to come!

Last year marked the start of a new era for the Opel brand, with the arrival of the sixth generation Astra: with the announcement of the last Astra in 2021, this successful model is now in its sixth generation . For the first time, the C-segment model from Opel will be available as a plug-in hybrid, i.e. with electric drive, in two power variants.

Opel Team Belgium is back in Rally!!

• 100% electric: Opel is pioneering with the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2021
• Opel Team Belgium is making a revival and is taking part in this Cup that takes place in Germany
• Bernard Munster provided a spectacle 30 years ago
• Charles Munster Junior sets the torch on fire again

Charles Munster Junior with the fully electric Opel Corsa-e Rally

30 years ago, Opel Team Belgium was active in Belgian Rallying, in the hands of Bernard Munster , among others . With his Opel Corsa he created a spectacle and even turned his Corsa GSi into a Corsa pickup with a roll over, to the delight of the audience in Ypres. Now it is time for a revival and this time Charles Munster will defend the Belgian colors in a unique concept. After all, Opel is the first manufacturer to organize a Rally Cup with the fully electric Opel Corsa-e.

“I drove an Opel Corsa GSi for Opel Team Belgium for three years. I look back on that period with great pleasure. It was always a pleasant sight, I as a tall pilot and Willy Lux as a small co-pilot. We were a perfect duo and had a great time ”, Bernard tells us, now owner of BMA Motorsport.

Opel Corsa GSi - Opel Team Belgium

And he raised Rally driving to his sons. Both Grégoire and Charles were highly successful in the Opel ADAM Rally Cup for several years. They also learned the business with the Opel cars.

Munster family was immediately ready to take a chance with the Opel Corsa-e, which will compete in a number of competitions in the German championship this year. Electrification is obviously a very big step for them for a family with petrol in their veins, but it is also a unique evolution for them towards better protection of the environment.

Charles thus includes the gloves in the international plateau of this new formula.

“I am really looking forward to defending the colors of Opel Belgium in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2021. This new formula is groundbreaking and is fully in line with the current realm of the responsibility that the automotive sector takes in the context of protecting the environment. I am already fully preparing - physically and mentally - for this championship ”, the sympathetic Charles Munster tells us.

“Car's “early torque” is particularly spectacular. And another big adjustment for us as pilots is especially good management of the brakes, since braking on the engine is not possible or less severe ”, says Charles.

Charles also told us that he has a good feeling about it because all aspects of safety are covered and go even further than for Rally cars with a petrol engine.

Deutscher Motor Sport Bund is responsible for ensuring that strict safety regulations can be met at all times during an event. One of the most important tasks for the DMSB is to train the rally marshals, from the marshals on the special stages to the staff of the Service Park. For all persons who have to perform certain tasks on or with an electric competition car, different safety certificates are required, which are categorized according to the colors blue-green, yellow-orange-red. Only those certified in the red category are allowed to work on the high voltage system of the Opel Corsa-e Rally or any other electric rally car.

The newly developed safety concept for the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup thus covers all relevant areas for the use of electric rally vehicles. It includes the technical specifications, the training of teams and rally marshals, as well as information for spectators at the special stages and in the Service Park.

We will keep you informed of the first achievements that Charles has in store for us!!

Groupe PSA and Punch Powertrain Expand Strategic Partnership in Electrification

• Agreement to establish second Joint Venture
• New Joint Venture to design, manufacture and supply state of the art components and sub-systems for the future generation of the electrified transmission (e-DCT [1])
• e-DCT will equip Groupe PSA’s Mild Hybrid Electric (MHEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles and carmakers globally

Groupe PSA and Punch Powertrain have signed an agreement to establish a second Joint Venture and expand their strategic partnership in the field of electrification, to contribute to fight against climate change.

Punch Powertrain holds majority control in the new Joint 61/39 Venture, which will design, manufacture, and supply Punch Powertrain’s breakthrough DT2 [2] dual clutch transmission for the industry’s next generation of mild hybrid electric (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. The business will initially supply Groupe PSA’s global operations and aims to supply other vehicle manufacturers worldwide. The Joint Venture agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

“Our clear manufacturing strategy is to have a vertical integration of components, particularly key technologies such as electrified powertrains. We have understood that the future is much more than reducing emissions. The challenge ahead of us is electrification at affordable cost, aligned with our raison d’être (Central Purpose)” said Olivier Bourges, Executive Vice President, Programs and Strategy and Member of the Managing Board.

“We are delighted to launch this second Joint Venture Agreement with Groupe PSA, Europe’s second largest car manufacturer,” said Jorge Solis, Chief Executive Officer, Punch Powertrain. “Over the past 45 years, Punch Powertrain has continuously pioneered innovative and cost-effective transmission technologies. This new venture will spearhead the industrialization of our next generation of transmissions for hybrid electric vehicles for Groupe PSA and other carmakers worldwide.”

Punch Powertrain DT2 48V and PHEV Dual Clutch Transmission

Punch Powertrain will contribute its DT2-related business unit, including world-class engineering, manufacturing, and support functions to the new entity which is expected to be operational by the third quarter 2020. Punch Powertrain will also transfer its current DT2- related facilities in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, and Eindhoven, the Netherlands. In turn, Groupe PSA will make a cash investment in the Joint Venture.

New Joint Venture, “Punch Powertrain PSA e-transmissions”, will supply Punch Powertrain’s innovative, ultra-efficient and compact automatic transmissions. Known as the DT2, this cost-efficient dual clutch transmission is the first in the industry to integrate an electric motor in a mild hybrid electric vehicle.

This latest Joint Venture will supply one of the industry’s first 48V solutions to equip mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV), resulting in significant fuel savings and reduction in CO2 emissions, compared to regular internal combustion engine powered vehicles.

A high voltage variant of the DT2 is designed for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and allows full electrically powered driving.

In April 2019 Groupe PSA and Punch Powertrain originally signed an agreement to establish their first Joint Venture “Punch Powertrain PSA e-transmissions assembly”. This Joint Venture will assemble the future generation of electrified transmissions (e-DCT) at Groupe PSA ’s facility in Metz, France, starting in 2022. This breakthrough transmission will equip Groupe PSA’s next generation of hybrid vehicles.

[1]  e-DCT ; electrified Dual Clutch Transmission

[2] Dual Clutch Transmission by Punch Powertrain, available in 48V, plug-in hybrid or conventional variants.

Successful September: Opel Increases Market Share to 7% in Europe

Opel and sister brand Vauxhall 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 brands achieved a combined passenger car and light commercial vehicles market share of 7 percent (+ 0.8 percentage points versus same month of 2017) in Europe in September^[1]. This is the highest market share in an individual month since March 2016 and the highest September value since 2014.

“Seven percent Opel market share in Europe is a great result of which we can be proud of. And our market share gains in Europe are broadly based and above all achieved in the right and profitable channels. We are benefitting from the fact that we have certified our portfolio according to WLTP and Euro 6d-TEMP in good time. Whoever buys an Opel now, can rely on the latest technology and gets peace of mind,” said Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director Sales, Aftersales and Marketing, Opel Automobile GmbH.

Last month, Opel registered a market share increase in 11 markets, including the biggest European countries: In its home market Germany, the brand increased its market share to 9.5 percent (+ 2.2pp) of the total market, the highest share in an individual month since December 2010 and the highest September value since 2007.

Opel’s sister brand Vauxhall registered a market share of 8.6 percent (+ 1.3pp) in the UK, the highest result in an individual month for 13 months. In Spain, the Opel market share was at 5.8 percent (+0.3pp), which represents the highest September share since 2015. In Italy, the brand with the Blitz achieved a market share of 5.4 percent (+0.6pp) also representing the best score for a September since 2015 and the highest monthly result for 18 months. Opel’s market share reached 3.8 percent (+ 0.6pp) in France. This is the highest market share in an individual month since May 2015 and the highest September value since 2010.

Opel achieved its highest market share of all European countries in the Netherlands where the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker was the overall market leader with a market share of 10.4 percent. In Belgium, the brand registered a market share of 8.5 percent in the total market, the highest September market share since 2009. In Slovakia, Opel achieved a record market share of 9.5 percent.

Opel/Vauxhall market share of passenger car market (PC) and total market (PC + Light Commercial Vehicles)

	PC Sep 18	Change PC versus Sep 17	PC+LCV Sep 18	Change PC+LCV versus Sep 17
Germany	10.2%	+2.6pp	9.5%	+2.2pp
UK	8.5%	+1.2pp	8.6%	+1.3pp
France	4.3%	+0.9pp	3.8%	+0.6pp
Italy	5.7%	+0.7pp	5.4%	+0.6pp
Spain	6.0%	+0.1pp	5.8%	+0.3pp

 
^[1] Total Market Europe E30, according to preliminary figures, figures rounded

Groupe PSA and Punch Powertrain are negotiating terms of a Joint Venture agreement for the Group’s future electrified dual-clutch transmissions

• On September 27, Groupe PSA and Punch Powertrain announce their intention to sign a joint venture agreement, named “Punch Powertrain PSA e-transmissions”, to produce the future generation of the electrified transmission (e-DCT), starting in 2022.

The Metz plant will have an annual production capacity of 600,000 e-DCTs. In preparation for production, Punch Powertrain will carry out industrialization and design of the state-of-the-art production line. 

 electrified Dual-Clutch Transmission (e-DCT)

Informations on the future Joint Venture « Punch Powertrain PSA e-transmissions »:
Headquarters:           Metz (Greater East Region) France
R&D facilities:           Punch Powertrain in Belgium and Netherlands
Production facilites : Groupe PSA – Metz (Moselle) France

Closing of such transaction remains subject to antitrust clearance and employee representative consultation.

This electrified Dual Clutch Transmission (e-DCT) will be:

• Designed and developed in Punch Powertrain research centers in Belgium and the Netherlands
• Manufactured at Groupe PSA’s plant in Metz (Greater East Region), chosen for its cost-efficiency and recognized for its expertise in gearbox production.

With an excellent level of performance, this gearbox will save up to 15% fuel consumption and reduce emissions in the city thanks to the use of ZEV mode in heavy traffic conditions. This e-DCT technology will set the benchmark for dual-clutch transmissions in the passenger car and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segments.

With its revolutionary design, the e-DCT gearbox with a 48V configuration, will equip Groupe PSA’s future Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEV).

50 Years Opel GT: Birthday Tour Along Legendary Route 66

• Group travel: Historic Opel GT cruises through US southwest
• Passion without frontiers: GT fans from Australia, Belgium and the Philippines
• Next stop Germany: Grand Tour in September

Opel GT Conrero on Route 66

They travelled from as far afield as Australia, Belgium and even the Philippines: more than two dozen Opel GT fans met up for a group road trip in the southwest of the USA to celebrate the 50^th birthday of the iconic sports car. More than 70 percent of the 103,463 cars produced were first registered in the USA, where even today the GT still has a large fan-community.

Start of eight-day tour in Las Vegas.

End of trip in Las Vegas.

 

The eight-day tour started in Las Vegas. From the capital city of gambling, the trip headed for the Hoover Dam and eastwards along the famous Route 66 to Four Corners Monument – the only place in the USA where four states – Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah - meet. From there the route led to national parks such as Mesa Verde and Zion. The trip ended back in Las Vegas after around 2,000 kilometres.

Opel GT Conrero

“The tour was an amazing experience, above all I will never forget driving along Route 66”, said organiser Olaf Moldzen, the head of the Association of European Opel GT Clubs, with its 28 national groups and 1,450 members with their 1,550 cars . Other road-users in the USA found the GT equally irresistible. “Many drivers and people gave us the thumbs up or waved. The GT always gets a reaction, because everyone can identify with it.”

Opel GT fans

The GT is likely to raise similar passion on September 18 to 22, when the association invites the European GT clubs to Germany for the Grand Tour. “Starting from Rüsselsheim, we will visit places that are closely connected to Opel and the history of the GT”, said Moldzen. The destinations of the tour, which will feature prominent participants, include the Opel Test Centre, the Hockenheim racetrack, the Kaiserslautern Opel plant and the serpentine roads of the Taunus Mountains, where the original Opel GT advertisements were made.

The tours in Germany and the USA are just two of the many events marking the 50th anniversary of the Opel GT. The celebrations began in May with the Bodensee-Klassik at Lake Constance. At the end of June around 50 GT drivers and their cars played a starring role at the Klassikertreffen vintage car show in Rüsselsheim, where the sports coupé was displayed in an exclusive area next to the Opel villas.

More information about the Opel GT, together with additional insights into its 50-year history, are offered in the book “GT Love” by Jens Cooper and Harald Hamprecht (in German language only).

!NEW! All Systems Go for Opel Astra TCR’s Second Season

• Intensive further development of Opel’s customer racing touring car for 2017
• Technical partner Kissling Motorsport also takes over customer support 

Next step: Pierre-Yves Corthals, winner of last season’s TCR Trophy Europe, and Belgian team DG Sport Compétition are working on using two Opel touring cars in the TCR International Series.

Before the start of the 2017 international circuit racing season, the Opel Astra TCR is currently undergoing the last phase of technical development. Based on lessons learned from the 2016 debut season, a number of details were optimized on Opel’s 350 hp customer racing touring car during the winter in preparation for the 2017 homologation this March. After this takes place, the Opel Astra TCR can be used in all TCR series around the world. The TCR spectrum encompasses the global TCR International Series as well as a total of eleven national and regional championships, which include the ADAC TCR Germany. In addition, a number of endurance races such as the Nürburgring 24-hours, Barcelona and Dubai feature a class for TCR vehicles as does the most popular privateer sport series in the world, the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring on the legendary Nordschleife.

Enhanced Astra TCR: Opel’s 350 hp customer racing touring car has been further optimized over the winter.

The vehicle homologation will be preceded by the “Balance of Performance” (BoP) test on March 1-2 at the Adria International Raceway near Venice. During this test, the performance of all participating brands’ TCR vehicles is tested by a professional driver engaged by the TCR organization and the cars are then given a base classification. This ensures the competitiveness of all participating vehicles. If necessary, BoP adjustments will be made during the season to assure well-balanced starting fields and exciting touring car racing with large brand diversity.

Opel Astra TCR with driver Pierre-Yves Corthals

In addition to private use in various national championships, the Opel Astra TCR is also to perform on the international stage again this year. The Belgian team DG Sport Compétition – with driver Pierre-Yves Corthals and the Astra TCR the first title holder in the TCR Trophy Europe last season – is working on using two Opel touring cars for the TCR International Series. The season start is on April 2 at Rustavi International Motopark in Georgia.

2016 Opel Astra TCR on Nürburgring

To offer customers support that is as comprehensive as possible, Opel is intensifying cooperation with its longtime technical and development partner Kissling Motorsport. In future, in addition to developing and building the Astra TCR customer vehicles, the touring car specialists from Bad Münstereifel near the Nürburgring will also be responsible for all customer support. “We thus bundle all building blocks necessary for our customer racing program under one roof. This ensures streamlined processes, direct communication channels and efficient service for Astra TCR customers,” says Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott.

!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! Opel Astra TCR: New Touring Car for Customer Racing Presented

• Sneak preview of the 330 hp touring car for the TCR Series
• Use in short and long distance races possible
• First cars to be delivered to selected customer teams at the end of February 2016 

New Opel Astra TCR will presented for the first time in the Belgian town of Mettet.

Opel took full advantage of the international TCR (Touring Car Racing) presentation at the circuit Jules Tacheny in Mettet, Belgium, showing their new customer racing touring car for the first time. The Opel Astra TCR combines ultra-modern racing technology with an effective safety concept while simultaneously remaining close to production. It enables the Opel teams to compete in short and long distance races – such as the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring – with a technically unchanged vehicle.

New Opel Astra TCR is powered by a highly efficient 2.0 Turbo with 330 hp

The 5-door Astra is powered by a highly efficient two-liter turbocharged engine that will deliver 330 hp and maximum torque of 420 Nm (both determined by the “Balance of Performance” concept), thus ensuring that vehicle with a curb weight of 1,200 kilograms has enough propulsion. This power is transferred to the front wheels via a sequential, six-speed racing transmission with the paddle shift located on the steering wheel. Adhesion is established via a twin-disc sinter metal clutch. An automated double declutching system creates stability when shifting down. The racing car is decelerated by 378 mm brake discs and 6-piston brake calipers at the front along with 265 mm brake discs and 2-piston brake calipers at the back. The driver can modulate the braking balance from the cockpit.

The chassis is fully adjustable and comes with ultra-modern damper technology. The efficient aerodynamics, which include an adjustable front splitter and rear spoiler that for cost reasons are standard components and identical on all TCR vehicles, are also relevant for the vehicle set-up. Electronic assistance systems such as ABS and ESP are not permitted.

In order to ensure that the Opel customer teams can use their Astra TCR for a number of years without making any technical adjustments, the car already comes with features that the International Automobile Association (FIA) will only declare mandatory from the 2017 season such as the 100-liter fuel safety tank.

Opel’s commitment in the Touring Car Racing Series marks the continuation of a long and successful tradition in touring car racing. Customer racing has always been a key pillar in Opel’s motorsport commitment in many countries across Europe alongside factory-backed participation in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) or national championships such as the German Supertouring Championship (STW). The concept of the TCR matches this philosophy perfectly – with powerful, optically impressive close-to-production touring cars available at affordable prices, the TCR meets the current requirements of the interested customer teams.

The TCR also offers Opel the perfect platform to present its new volume model in a racing environment in the involved markets. The various national championships, obviously including the new German TCR series (ADAC TCR Germany), which will be staged under the overall control of Opel’s longtime partner ADAC, and the European championship are an ideal playing field for Opel and its customer teams. The three-tier concept – national and continental championships along with the global TCR International Series – ensures that customer teams can compete worldwide with the same car.

The Astra TCR is being developed in close cooperation with Opel’s longstanding partner Kissling Motorsport from Bad Münstereifel. Initial performance checks are set to take place before the end of October. A limited amount of Opel Astra TCRs will be delivered to selected customer teams from February of next year. The race-ready vehicle will cost a competitive €95,000 (plus VAT).

!NEW! Sneak Preview of the New Opel Astra TCR

• Opel to present the new touring car in Belgium on October 15
• Development of racing car with roughly 330 hp going according to plan
• TCR seen as ideal field for outstanding touring car customer racing

Powered by Opel: New Astra TCR comes with a two-liter turbocharged engine with roughly 330 hp.

Development of the new Opel Astra TCR for the young but already hugely successful Touring Car Racing Series (TCR) is going according to plan. The customer racing touring car based on the new Opel Astra will be presented to the public for the first time at the official TCR presentation scheduled to be held on the Circuit Jules Tacheny in the Belgian town of Mettet on October 15, 2015.

For customer racing: New Opel Astra TCR racecar.

The Astra TCR, developed by Opel Motorsport in conjunction with long-standing technology partner Kissling, comes with a two-liter turbocharged engine with roughly 330 hp and a string of technical highlights. The racing car will continue the long tradition of customer racing at Opel with its symbiosis of close-to-production but high performance and spectacular technology.

The TCR Series, launched for the 2015 season, offers the perfect playing field for professional customer teams. Thanks to the three-pillar concept, a TCR vehicle can race in national and continental championships along with the global TCR International Series – all of which have exactly the same homologation. Germany will have its own TCR racing series with the ADAC TCR Germany. Furthermore, a TCR class will be introduced for the ADAC 24h race on the legendary Nürburgring, thus further increasing the possibilities for the Opel Astra TCR.

!NEW! Triple Victory for Opel at Ypres Rallye

• Opel teams dominate fourth round of FIA ERC Junior
• Three ADAM R2 winners – Aleks Zawada ahead of Marijan Griebel and Julius Tannert
• Bad luck costs Opel works drivers Griebel and Bergkvist near certain victory

Marijan Griebel, Stefan Clemens, Cathy Derousseaux, Aleks Zawada, Julius Tannert and Jennifer Thielen (from left to right) celebrate the Opel one-two-three at the Ypres Rallye.

Opel reinforced its strong position in the FIA ERC Junior at the Kenotek Ypres Rallye in West Flanders, Belgium. Pole Aleks Zawada and his French co-driver Cathy Derousseaux celebrated their first victory in their customer Opel ADAM R2, ahead of German Opel works drivers Marijan Griebel/Stefan Clemens from the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team and Julius Tannert and his Luxembourgian co-driver Jennifer Thielen in another customer Opel ADAM R2. Three of this year‘s four season victories in the FIA ERC Junior have now gone to the brand with the blitz!

“A fantastic day, a fantastic car, a fantastic rallye,” said an elated Zawada, who seemed to be out of the running for victory at the beginning of the second day after his 190 hp front-wheel drive car was stuck in a ditch for a minute after a harmless spin. But the Polish-French team did not give up, fought their way back and ultimately also benefitted from their competitors’ back luck. “Luck also plays a role, and the score is settled at the very end,” said Zawada. “I am really sorry for Emil and Marijan. Both deserved to win. But I am overjoyed that our efforts resulted in victory.”

The Opel works drivers Emil Bergkvist and Marijan Griebel battled for the lead from the first kilometer before both were impeded by mishaps. First Bergkvist had to retire his Opel ADAM R2 in the twelfth of seventeen stages with an engine problem. And then Griebel, who went into the last stage with a 36-second lead, suffered a left rear puncture shortly before the finish line. The 26-year-old from Hahnweiler still managed to take his Opel ADAM R2 across the finish line on one rim, but the time loss of nearly one minute sent him and his co-driver Stefan Clemens (28, from Thailen) to second place behind Zawada.

Bad luck strikes: Opel factory driver Marijan Griebel was leading until a damaged tire on the last stage of the Ypres Rallye saw him drop to second.

Griebel was understandably frustrated: “After a few days, I’ll probably be able to be pleased with our good performance and Opel Motorsport’s superior showing in this magnificent setting in front of thousands of excited spectators here in Ypres. But right now disappointment is the overwhelming feeling. Opel’s triple victory clearly proves that especially on asphalt, ADAM R2 currently sets the benchmark in its class. So we’re going into the last two FIA ERC Junior events in Estonia and the Czech Republic with a lot of self-confidence.”

Lead defending: Opel factory driver Emil Bergkvist defended first place in the FIA ERC Junior despite having to retire from the Ypres Rallye.

Swede Bergkvist (21, from Torsaker), who together with his co-driver Joakim Sjöberg (29, from Ösmo) won the first two FIA ERC Junior rounds in Latvia and Ireland, was disappointed but composed. “We had absolutely everything we needed to win here today. But things like this happen in motorsports, and there is no one I can blame for it. To be honest, I’d rather fight to win and have to pull out because of bad luck than be too slow and finish fourth. And we still have the best shot at the FIA ERC Junior championship.”

Indeed, the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team’s position in the FIA ERC Junior is still excellent. As only four of six rallye results are taken into consideration for the final points tally, Bergkvist’s withdrawal in Ypres could be a void result. And as his two toughest pursuers also failed to finish the race, he even increased his lead in the ranking after four rounds by two to 26 points. Griebel’s second-place finish put him in third place in the overall standings. He is currently 43 points behind his team colleague Bergkvist.

Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott commented on his charges’ results with mixed feelings: “Today two hearts beat in my chest. We celebrated a fantastic result for Opel that proves that our customer ADAM R2s are just as powerful as both works cars. I really feel for Emil and Marijan. Both gave a fantastic performance that deserved a victory. Marijan really had everything under control until the last stage. But I’m also happy for Aleks and Julius, who showed that they are capable of keeping up with the fast pace at the top of the FIA ERC Junior. Overall the performance of the Opel ADAM R2 was extremely good. And we are of course happy to go into the races in Estonia and the Czech Republic knowing this.”

!NEW! ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team Ready to Rumble

Second season of ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team with ADAM R2

Six EC races and ADAC Rallye Deutschland world championship race

Winning formula: The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team wants to repeat last season’s success with the ADAM R2. 

From Latvia’s snow over Northern Ireland’s asphalt to the Azore’s gravel roads – the junior European Rallye Championship (FIA ERC Junior) 2015 calendar covers the entire spectrum of challenging racing surfaces. The best rallye drivers born in 1988 or later are set to prove themselves in Europe’s toughest young talent league in vehicles from the RC4 category, also known as R2. The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team with two Opel ADAM R2 cars driven by Marijan Griebel and Emil Bergkvist are ready for the action to start.

Junior team: Marijan Griebel (right) and co-pilot Stefan Clemens (left) hope to get off to a successful start to the 2015 European Rallye championship in their Opel ADAM R2.

The competition is fully aware of the enormous potential of the 190 hp ADAM R2, and not just since Griebel’s outstanding second-place finish at the Barum Rallye in the Czech Republic last year. Griebel is accordingly optimistic before the season starts in Latvia: “In spite of the early start, we are going into the second season of the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team well prepared. Last year’s results show that we can hold our own against the competition in the ERC Junior. In the last months, we further developed not only the ADAM R2, but also ourselves as a team.”

Swedish duo: Emil Bergkvist (right) and his co-pilot Joakim Sjöberg (left) after looking forward to the start of the 2015 FIA Junior European Rallye Championship.

Emil Bergkvist, who advanced to the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team following his title win in the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup 2014, is also raring to go: “I learned so much in the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup. I’ll benefit from that in the ERC Junior. And as a Swede, I’m of course especially looking forward to the hopefully snowy races in Latvia.”

Open in Latvia: The pilots can look forward to some snowy stages at the Rallye Liepāja.

A special season highlight next to the six FIA ERC Junior races is participation in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, where Marijan Griebel celebrated an overwhelming class victory last August. His new co-driver is Stefan Clemens. Bergkvist’s co-driver this season is again the Swede Joakim Sjöberg. The Opel works drivers will encounter two other ADAM R2 cars in the EC. German Julius Tannert and his Luxembourgish co-driver Jennifer Thielen will be in four of six races, including the Rallye Liepāja. Pole Aleks Zawada and his French co-driver Cathy Derousseaux are taking part the whole season. However, their car is being run privately, while the works ADAM R2 is, as usual, in the capable hands of Holzer Motorsport.

Calendar ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team 2015

February 6 - 8            Rallye Liepāja, Liepāja/Latvia (gravel/ice/snow) *

April 2 - 4                  Circuit of Ireland Rally, Belfast/Northern Ireland (asphalt) *

June 4 - 6                  SATA Rallye Açores, Ponta Delgada/Azores/Portugal (gravel) *

June 25 - 27              Geko Ypres Rally, Ypern/Belgium (asphalt) *

July 17 -19                auto24 Rally Estonia, Otepää/Estonia (gravel) *

August 20 - 23           ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Trier (asphalt)

August 28 - 30           Barum Czech Rally, Zlín/Czech Republic (asphalt) *

* Race in FIA ERC Junior