!NEW! Opel Astra Named as South African Car of the Year Finalist

 Opel Astra, the reigning European Car of the Year, has been selected as a finalist for the 2017 Wesbank South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition. This is the second successive year in which an Opel has been named COTY finalist in South Africa after Opel ADAM and Opel Corsa were voted as finalists last year.

Opel Astra which was launched in South Africa in April this year has received great accolades from local as well as international media. Packed with segment leading safety, infotainment and driver aid technology, the Opel Astra is a game changer in the mid-size hatchback segment giving buyers access to technology usually reserved for luxury vehicles.

“We’ve won the big European prize and it would be a real honour to add the local trophy to our cabinet,” commented Brian Olson, vice president vehicle sales, service, and marketing GM Sub-Saharan Africa. “There’s no doubt that Europe’s top automotive communicators found the Astra to be the best of the best and we hope that evaluators from the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists reach the same conclusion. Local customers have certainly recognized the Astra as the best in its class, so far demand has far outstripped supply with the new Astra achieving its best market share in 20 years”

Of course, COTY success is not new to the Opel brand, both here and abroad. In 1985 a previous Astra generation was the European COTY, while on the local front Opel products were chosen by the SAGMJ evaluators as their benchmark car in 1991, 1994 and 1995.

Past and present Opel Astra models clearly have got what it takes to win. The current Opel Astra has averaged close to 100 units a month since launch, and holds about 10 percent of the C-segment hatchback market share, April to August.

The SAGMJ COTY jury will evaluate the Opel Astra and the other finalists in early February 2017, with the winner announced on 15 March 2017.

!NEW! Opel Continues to Grow in South Africa

November total industry sales came in at 51 256 vehicles, slightly behind November 2014 sales of 51 055 units. Year to date November 2015 industry sales are 4.1 percent down over the same period last year (568 584 vs 592 839).

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) sales for November 2015 were 4550 units across all three brands at NAAMSA level with strong performances from Opel and Isuzu as well as Chevrolet Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV).

Isuzu made the best of the recently refreshed KB with 1263 units sold in November. November sales represented the highest double cab sales in 17 months, driven by the all-new 250 High Rider double cab model.

Opel ADAM Rocks

A key highlight for GMSA is the continuing growth of the Opel brand with the fashionable super mini Opel ADAM boutique hatch leading the charge. ADAM has consistently outperformed competitors in the boutique mini segment of the market with 1 474 units sold since January 2015. The November sales figure of 265 units represents ADAM’s second best month this year coming just short of the February 2015 highlight of 280 units. Buoyed by the success of the trio of “new Germans”, Corsa, Mokka, and ADAM, the overall Opel brand sales are up 70 percent, 5 917 versus 3 479 units, compared to the same period last year.

Chevrolet sales were led by the Utility in November which sold 1 234 units. Year to date sales for Chevrolet now stand at 29 131 units with 5.1 percent share of the total industry.

“2015 has been a tough year for South African consumers and this is reflected in the declining industry sales. Despite tough trading conditions we plan on closing the year on a strong note with encouraging performances from our Chevrolet and Isuzu LCV products. We expect Opel to attract new buyers and continue the sales momentum well into the new year as our new technologically advanced products find traction in our market,” says Brian Olson, Vice President Vehicle Sales, Service, and Marketing for GM Sub-Saharan Africa.

!NEW! Opel Continues To Grow In South Africa

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) sold 4 947 vehicles, achieving a market share of 9.1%.

The locally produced products remain GMSA’s top volume runners with the Isuzu KB at 1 299, followed by Chevrolet Utility which came in at 1294 units and the Chevrolet Spark at 381. Meanwhile the new Opel line-up continues to gain momentum with encouraging performances from Corsa and Mokka.  Year to date (YTD) Opel sales volumes are up 81.8%

Opel Corsa

Opel Mokka SUV

“We are expecting to continue the upward trend with our Opel products in August as the Opel Corsa Sport is being launched this week. The Corsa Sport, which features the new 1.4 Turbo 110 kw engine, comes with high levels of content and sport orientated design cues – all with a touch of Opel heritage and with the Opel OPC line kit within a five door package,” said Brian Olson, GMSA Vice President for Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing.

New Opel Corsa Sport with OPC line kit and with the new 1.4 Turbo 110 kw engine

Total industry sales for new vehicles came in at 54 112 units for July down 6.1% for the same period last year. According to the National Automobile Association of South Africa (Naamsa) it is the largest year to date monthly decline.

!NEW! GMSA Increases Market Share For Five Consecutive Months

Total industry sales for new vehicles came in at 50 251 units for June down 4.8% compared to June last year.

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) sold a total of 5 024 units with a market share of 10%, an increase of 0.2% compared to the previous month.

Opel sales were 122% up on June 2014 with notable performances from the trio of new comers the ADAM, Corsa, and Mokka with 169, 277, 191 units respectively.

New Opel ADAM

“Our three new Germans continue to find favour with buyers. ADAM, Corsa and Mokka all delivered solid performances in June. We are very proud that Opel sales are up 90 percent against the same period last year,” said Brian Olson, GMSA vice President Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing.

New Opel Corsa

New Opel Mokka SUV

The Chevrolet Utility led the sales for the brand with 1468 units sold, Chevrolet spark was second with 499 units.

Isuzu KB sales were 1376 units last month. Isuzu and Chevrolet Utility have a combined 22.1% share, making June the second month of LCV sales this year.

!NEW! Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu October Sales Performance in South Africa

The South African motor industry continues to grow despite a turbulent year, with October 2014 new vehicle sales totalling 59 384 units – almost 3 000 units and a 4.7% gain versus the same period in 2014. The recent growth in the overall industry can be attributed to strong direct channel sales whilst sales at dealer level have declined slightly.

In October 2014, General Motors South Africa (GMSA) sales totalled 5 238 units, reflecting market share of 8.8%. Year-to-date GMSA market share is higher than in 2013, at 9.98% and 53 055 units.

The locally-manufactured Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Utility and Isuzu KB remain key sales drivers, with 735, 1 445 and 1 181 units retailed respectively. Spark sales have now seen a 30% increase year-to-date in 2014, versus the same period in 2013.

Isuzu volume year-to-date is up 12% compared to 2013, and the Opel brand has realised an exceptional 60% year-to-date increase over the same period in 2013.

Opel Corsa 

Says GMSA Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, Brian Olson: “The locally produced Chevrolet & Isuzu models have been key volume drivers in 2014, performing well on a consistent basis.

“The recent introduction of several special edition models, including the Chevrolet Sonic and Spark Black & White Editions, the Isuzu KB Midnite Edition, and the just released Chevrolet Ute Force Limited Edition, have strengthened brand awareness and sales volume.”

Chevrolet Sonic Black Edition

!NEW! Opel commends business innovation at 2014 BBQ Award

The 13th annual BBQ Awards, hosted at Emperors Palace on Friday 31 October, have recognised black entrepreneurial excellence at a gala awards evening. Sponsoring the New and Innovative Business Award, Opel presented Flavalite Innovations with the prestigious award.

DR SIBONGISENI TUNZELANA

The award, handed over by General Motors South Africa (GMSA) Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, Brian Olson, signifies the most innovative new business established within the last 36 months.

Business requirements in order to qualify for the award include an annual turnover of less than R 4-million, at least 50% black ownership, profitability with an established client base and a tangible commitment to innovation and technological advancement through the development of a product or service. The business should also operate within a competitive industry and demonstrate factors of sustainable economic growth and development, with adherence to good corporate governance and leadership.

Says Opel Brand Manager, Christopher Cradock: “Opel is a brand with deep roots and a rich history in South Africa, and one which is embarking on a brand new era on a global level. With new products like the ADAM and Mokka, along with several others on our horizon, Opel is being reinvigorated with innovative new German products which feature industry-leading and futuristic new technologies. It is this parallel which can be drawn between Opel and the New and Innovative Business Award, and we congratulate its winner enthusiastically.”

!NEW! Continued strength for General Motors South Africa (GMSA) products in August

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) continues on a positive sales trend into the latter half of 2014, with August sales of 5 723 domestic units representing a market share of 10.3%. With total industry sales of 55 722 units, the GMSA share represents an increase of 0.2% on July 2014.

Industry sales represented a decline of 1.4% compared to the same period in 2013, whereas GMSA registered a decline of just 0.4% in comparison.

According to Brian Olson, GMSA Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, the industry sales came in where we expected, down on last year again. “This reflects the continued pressure on the retail consumer. We are hoping that the decrease in fuel price will bring some relief to consumers.”

Olson added that the Chevrolet portfolio recorded its best sales month in August. “The Aveo in particular was Chevrolet’s best performer, recording its single best month with 655 units sold, while the locally-produced Chevrolet Spark and Utility proved particularly resilient, retailing 1 368 and 926 units respectively.”

While Opel and Isuzu sales remained stable, Opel’s star performer was the solid Corsa, recording the best sales of 2014 in August.

Opel Corsa recorded the best sales in August 2014