Showing posts with label Cadillac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cadillac. Show all posts

Friday, 16 October 2015

!NEW! GM Sold 7.2 Million Vehicles in the First Nine Months of 2015


General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) sold 7.2 million vehicles globally in the first nine months of 2015. The company posted sales increases in four of its five largest markets, with record sales in China and strong retail sales gains in the United States. Total sales were down 1 percent, due primarily to the company’s previously announced decisions to strategically reduce its presence in certain markets, as well as difficult market conditions in South America.

“Our unwavering focus on the customer is paying off in our largest and most important markets as we execute one successful launch after another in the right segments,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “At the same time, we have reacted quickly to challenging macroeconomic environments in other markets and have shown the discipline to exit situations where we see no long-term path to acceptable returns.”
Examples of GM’s recent success include:

  • GM truck sales in North America were up 16 percent in the first nine months of 2015, driven by a 17 percent increase in Chevrolet truck deliveries in the United States.
  • Chevrolet had record crossover sales in North America in the same period, up 17 percent year over year.
  • In China, crossovers like the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envision represented more than 17 percent of sales by GM and its joint ventures in September, up from 6 percent a year ago.
  • Cadillac had record sales in China with deliveries rising 12 percent to nearly 57,000 units.

GM is preparing to launch even more new trucks and crossovers during the next several months, including the all-new Cadillac XT5, a redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and a diesel-powered Chevrolet Colorado for North America, and the Baojun 560 in China. Key car launches include the all-new Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze in North America and the all-new Opel Astra in Europe.

Additional Highlights (vs. 2014)

First Nine Months 
  • In the United States, Chevrolet has reported six consecutive months of retail sales and market share gains and has strategically reduced sales to rental companies by more than 50,000 units through September.
  • Opel / Vauxhall increased its European market share and grew sales in 19 countries, including Italy, Spain, France, the U.K. and Germany.
  • Buick had record deliveries in China, with sales up 4 percent to nearly 670,000 units.
  • Baojun had record sales, with deliveries rising 236 percent to more than 270,000 units.
  • GMC’s global sales increased 11 percent, and four of the brand’s SUVs and pickup trucks – the Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra and Canyon – have the highest average transaction prices of any vehicles in their respective segments in the United States, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.

Third Quarter
  • Among GM’s largest markets, sales rose in the United States, the U.K. and Canada.
  • Opel / Vauxhall, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Baojun all reported higher sales.
  • Chevrolet had record crossover sales in the United States, up 24 percent, while Chevrolet U.S. truck sales increased 16 percent.
  • Deliveries in South Korea were up 11 percent to record of nearly 43,000 units.
  • Global sales were down 3 percent.  

GM Global Sales: January - September 2015

Calendar Year-to-Date
Region Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change
GM North America 930,758 46,110 5.2% 2,685,342 126,257 4.9%
GM Europe 287,690 3,137 1.1% 898,236 (60,131) (6.3%)
GM South America 150,142 (66,956) (30.8%) 485,557 (156,749) (24.4%)
GM International 191,847 (21,928) (10.3%) 589,854 (41,525) (6.6%)
GM China ** 773,226 (33,902) (4.2%) 2,492,428 38,215 1.6%
Total 2,333,663 (73,539) (3.1%) 7,151,417 (93,933) (1.3%)

Quarter 3
Calendar Year-to-Date
Sales by Brand **
Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change Total  Sales YOY Change Pct. Change
Chevrolet
1,078,847
(112,998) (9.5%)
3,291,133
(252,280) (7.1%)
Opel/Vauxhall
272,619
14,007 5.4%
864,338
31,256 3.8%
Buick
300,335
10,858 3.8%
852,289
21,635 2.6%
Cadillac
67,895
997 1.5%
198,993
6,228 3.2%
GMC
176,222
11,100 6.7%
499,343
48,933 10.9%
Baojun
110,977
69,395 166.9%
270,488
189,857 235.5%
Wuling
286,155
(55,358) (16.2%)
1,050,327
(100,110) (8.7%)
All Others
40,613
(11,540) (22.1%)
124,506
(39,452) (24.1%)
Total
2,333,663
(73,539) (3.1%)
7,151,417
(93,933) (1.3%)

Notes:
GM North America = United States, Canada, Mexico, and other North American markets*
GM Europe = Western, Central and Eastern Europe
GM International = Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East*
** Includes China retail sales
* Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Sudan are excluded from sales volume calculations

Thursday, 30 July 2015

!NEW! OnStar Reaches 1 Billion Customer Interactions

  • Successful around the world: Your personal connectivity and service assistant
  • 24/7 365 days a year: Customers contact OnStar via phone, mobile app, vehicle
  • Pole position: Astra first completely new Opel model with OnStar 



OnStar has fielded more than 1 billion request from customers, who interact by phone, mobile app or embedded cellular service in their cars and trucks. Launched nearly 19 years ago as an industry-first service that would place a call from the vehicle when an air bag deployed, OnStar today remotely unlocks doors, loads driving directions directly to the vehicle, compiles and sends emails on vehicle health.

A customer contacts OnStar every two seconds. That adds up to about 5 million calls a month from its subscriber base of more than 7 million. Add 8.8 million interactions a month from the mobile app and you can see how indispensable OnStar has become since launching in 1996.

“OnStar created the original connected car in 1996 and today remains at the forefront of innovation through the services offered in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and soon, Opel vehicles around the globe,” said Alicia Boler-Davis, senior vice president, General Motors Global Connected Customer Experience. “The pace at which the brand has reached 1 billion interactions shows the vast customer demand for vehicle connectivity and there’s no doubt our second billion interactions will come even quicker.”

The Opel/Vauxhall OnStar connectivity and service assistant will be launched in Europe on August 3, 2015.

The new generation of the Opel Astra, which will celebrate its debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt (September 17 to 27), will be the first completely new Opel model to be available with OnStar. The system can also be ordered for ADAM, Cascada, Corsa, Insignia, Meriva, Mokka and Zafira Tourer in certain markets. The first introduction wave will see Opel OnStar being rolled out in 13 European markets, those being Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain, with additional countries following later. Customers will be able to use the entire service portfolio provided by Opel OnStar including the 24-hour Emergency Call Service free of charge for the first 12 months after registration.

Smartphone owners will be able to connect to their vehicle remotely with a Smartphone App. In addition, Opel OnStar will assist vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen.

Opel OnStar can also provide subscribers with a monthly Vehicle Diagnostics email with the most important vehicle data and information. Furthermore, a diagnostics check can be requested at any time at the push of a button, thus providing peace of mind before setting off on a longer journey.

Opel OnStar subscribers in Europe will be in complete control of their data and the Opel OnStar services they receive. Before the services are activated they will have to agree to the terms and conditions. Furthermore, they will be able to choose whether they want to reveal their current location – at a push of the Privacy Button their position will be masked.

By the numbers, here is what 1 billion interactions looks like:
  • 5.5 million Emergency Services delivered.
  • 156 million mobile app requests.
  • Delivered Roadside Assistance more than 3.9 million times.
  • More than 390 million Vehicle Diagnostic reports delivered.
Before becoming known as OnStar, the original name for the service was Project Beacon. Its goal was integrating wireless communication into vehicles, years before mass adoption of smartphones.

In the fall of 1996, OnStar debuted in the Cadillac DeVille, Seville and Eldorado. The service initially offered Airbag Deployment Notifications, the core of OnStar’s safety and security premise, which progressed into Automatic Crash Response that uses sensors capable of determining the severity of a crash impact and alerting an OnStar emergency advisor to assist. OnStar today responds to more than 100,000 emergency calls every month. 

Wednesday, 18 March 2015

GM to Change Business Model in Russia

  • Focus on Cadillac and iconic Chevrolet vehicles
  • Wind down Opel brand and sale of mainstream Chevrolet cars
  • Idle GM Auto manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg
  • Part of GM’s strategy to ensure long-term sustainability in global markets


General Motors today announced plans to change its business model in Russia. GM will focus on the premium segment of the Russian market with Cadillac and U.S. built iconic Chevrolet products such as the Corvette, Camaro and Tahoe. The Chevrolet brand will minimize its presence in Russia and the Opel brand will leave the market by December 2015. 

“This change in our business model in Russia is part of our global strategy to ensure long-term sustainability in markets where we operate,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “This decision avoids significant investment into a market that has very challenging long-term prospects.”

Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann said, “We do not have the appropriate localization level for important vehicles built in Russia and the market environment does not justify a major investment to further localize.”

The GM Auto plant in St. Petersburg will halt production by the middle of 2015. GM is planning to idle the plant. Furthermore, the contract assembly of Chevrolet vehicles at GAZ will be discontinued in 2015.

The GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture will continue to build and market the current generation Chevrolet NIVA. GM’s global luxury brand Cadillac will be set up for growth in Russia over the next several years as it prepares for numerous product introductions.

Chevrolet and Opel will work closely with their dealer networks in Russia to define future steps while ensuring the company will honor its obligations to existing customers in the coming years. “We can assure our customers that we will continue to provide warranty, parts and services for their Chevrolet and Opel vehicles. We want to thank our customers and dealers for their loyalty to the Chevrolet and Opel brands,” said Dr. Neumann.

“We had to take decisive action in Russia to protect our business. We confirm our outlook to return the European business to profitability in 2016 and stick to our long-term goals as defined in our DRIVE!2022 strategy,” said Dr. Neumann. By 2022, the company plans to raise its market share in total Europe to 8 percent and to reach a profit margin of 5 percent.

As a result of the decision to change the business model in Russia, GM expects to record net special charges of up to approximately $600 million primarily in the first quarter of 2015. The special charges include sales incentives, dealer restructuring, contract cancellations and severance related costs. Approximately $200 million of the net special charges will be non-cash expenses.

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

!NEW! GM Expects Improved Profitability in 2015

  • Expects higher EBIT-adjusted and EBIT-adjusted margins in 2015
  • Reaffirms previously announced 2016 targets and plan to achieve 9- to 10-percent margin by early next decade


General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) expects its total earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted and EBIT-adjusted margin to increase in 2015, compared to 2014, after adjusting 2014 for the impact of recall costs. The company also anticipates improved automotive results in all regions.

This outlook is based on modest global industry growth expected in 2015, which will result primarily from continued growth in China, Europe and the United States, and ongoing launches of key vehicles.

CEO Mary Barra, President Dan Ammann, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens shared this outlook with investor analysts attending the Deutsche Bank 2015 Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit. 

GM reiterated it is on track to meet its previously announced 2016 financial targets to achieve EBIT-adjusted margins in North America of 10 percent; to return to profitability in Europe, and to maintain strong margins in China.

The company also said its plan puts it on the path to achieve 9- to 10-percent margins by early next decade. The strategic plan, shared during the Global Business Conference in October 2014, includes several major initiatives: lead in product and technology; grow the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands globally; continue growing in China; continue growing GM Financial, and deliver core operating efficiencies.

“We had a pivotal year in 2014, outlining a customer-focused strategic plan for the company and delivering on our commitments by achieving strong core operating performance,” Barra said. “We’ll build on this momentum in 2015 and continue executing our plan to become the most-valued automotive company.”

Among key accomplishments for 2014, Barra noted the following:
  • Earned the most J.D. Power Initial Quality Study awards for second consecutive year in the United States.
  • Launched more models in North America with 4G LTE mobile broadband than all other automakers combined.
  • GM and its joint ventures sold a record 3.5 million vehicles in China, up 12.0 percent from 2013.
  • Opel/Vauxhall market share in Europe grew for the second year in a row, including increases in 12 European markets.
  • Achieved five straight quarters of EBIT-adjusted margin growth in North America through the third quarter of 2014 (excluding recalls).
  • Standard & Poor’s upgraded GM and GM Financial to investment grade.
  • Returned $2.0 billion to common stock shareholders through dividends.

To support its future growth, GM plans to increase capital expenditures to approximately $9 billion in 2015, reflecting increased investments in products and technologies.

“Overall, 2014 was a very solid year in which we met expectations on core operating performance, despite a number of significant headwinds,” Stevens said.

“Importantly, improvements in 2015 will keep us firmly on track to meet our near-term objectives and demonstrate solid progress toward our targeted margins of 9 to 10 percent by early next decade.”

!NEW! GM Delivers its Second Consecutive Year of Record Global Sales

  • Record China sales and market share
  • Global Cadillac sales up 5 percent
  • Record global Buick sales
  • Opel/Vauxhall sales outpace European industry


General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) is reporting its second consecutive year of record global sales. In 2014, the company and its dealers delivered 9,924,880 vehicles around the world, surpassing by 2 percent the record set in 2013.

“GM is making solid progress and has good momentum. Our customer focus, the new cars, trucks and crossovers we launched in China and North America, technologies like OnStar with 4GLTE and the revitalization underway at Opel helped us achieve another record year, despite very challenging market conditions in different parts of the world,” said GM CEO Mary Barra.

Among GM’s major launches are the new Opel Corsa E, which arrives in European showrooms later this month and the Chevrolet Trax small crossover in the United States, which began arriving in showrooms in December 2014. In addition, GM is increasing U.S. production of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups, which launched late last year. Launches in China include three Chevrolets, two Buicks and two Cadillacs. OnStar is also expanding into Europe and launching 4GLTE service in China.

Deliveries in North America rose 6 percent in 2014 to 3,412,714 units and the company’s estimated market share of 16.9 percent was equal to 2013. 

The redesigned full-size pickups and large SUVs introduced by Chevrolet and GMC starting in the second half of 2013, along with the Cadillac Escalade, were major contributors to the company’s success in North America. Dealers delivered almost 1 million units in the United States alone, up 11 percent year over year, which helped drive average transaction prices to a full-year record of nearly $33,900, up about $2,600 from 2013, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.

Deliveries in China rose 12 percent to a record 3,539,972 and the company’s estimated market share increased 0.6 percentage points to 14.8 percent. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Wuling and Baojun all set annual sales records.

GM and its joint ventures expanded their lineup with several new and refreshed models in China, including the Buick Envision premium midsize SUV, Chevrolet Trax and Sail 3 family car, Cadillac ATS-L luxury sport sedan and Baojun 730 family vehicle.

Global Sales Highlights (vs. 2013)
  • Chevrolet sales in China were up 10 percent to a record 717,007 units, sales in the United States were up 4 percent to more than 2 million units and the brand was the market leader in South America. Global sales were down 4 percent, reflecting Chevrolet’s repositioning in Europe and weak industry conditions in a number of the brand’s major markets.
  • Cadillac increased its sales 5 percent on the strength of a 47 percent increase in China, where sales reached a record 73,500 units.
  • Buick delivered nearly 1.2 million vehicles, with sales in North America and China both up 13 percent. In the United States, the Buick Encore has become the industry’s best-selling small crossover. On a global basis, the Encore ended 2014 with sales of 138,218 units, up 42 percent.
  • Opel/Vauxhall delivered almost 1.1 million vehicles in Europe in 2014, and had its highest sales and market share since 2011. Sales in the region were up 3.4 percent, which nearly doubled the industry’s 1.8 percent increase. Sales were up in 16 European countries.
  • In the United States, Chevrolet and GMC increased their combined share of the retail market for large pickups by a full percentage point to 38.9 percent. The brands’ retail share in the large SUV segment was up 7.8 points to 74.7 percent.  

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

!NEW! GM Delivers its Best Third Quarter Global Sales Since 1980

  • Chevrolet up 9 percent in North America 
  • Cadillac up 63 percent in China
  • Buick global sales up 7 percent


General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) sold 2,449,595 vehicles around the world in the third quarter of 2014, up 2 percent compared with a year ago. It was the company’s best third quarter since 1980. In the first nine months of 2014, GM sold 7,371,743 vehicles, up 2 percent.

Third quarter sales in the United States and China, the company’s two largest markets, were up 8 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Year to date, sales in the United States and China were up 4 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

GM is on track to surpass sales of 3 million vehicles in China for the second consecutive year and the company expects to top last year’s record sales of 3.16 million vehicles. During September, GM’s cumulative sales in China surpassed 20 million vehicles.

“GM delivered its best third quarter global sales in 34 years thanks to solid growth in the United States and China, and steady improvement in Opel’s market share,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “We have launches now underway, including the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in North America, the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa in Europe, and the Buick Envision and Cadillac ATS-L in China, that will keep our momentum going.”

Highlights (vs. 2013)

  • Chevrolet had record sales in China in the third quarter, up 13 percent to 169,830 units. For the first nine months of year, the brand is up 7 percent to a record 505,316 units. September was Chevrolet’s best month ever in China.
  • Calendar year to date, Chevrolet sales in South Korea are at record levels.
  • The success of the new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra helped GM increase its estimated share of the U.S. retail market for large pickups from 35.8 percent in the first quarter of 2014 to 37.4 percent in the second quarter and 37.9 percent in the third quarter.
  • Buick’s global sales were up 7 percent in the third quarter to 284,540 units and they are up 11 percent calendar year to date to 858,046 units, driven by strong growth in the United States and China. Buick’s China sales were up 8 percent in the quarter to 220,578 units and they were up 11 percent to 670,999 units in the first nine months of the year. 
  • In China, combined, sales of small SUVs – the Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax and Captiva – were up 90 percent in the third quarter. In the United States, the Buick Encore has been the best-selling vehicle in its segment for six months in a row. The Chevrolet Trax will launch in the United States in early 2015.
  • Cadillac’s global sales were up 4 percent in the third quarter and they are up 9 percent year to date, driven by strong growth in China. Cadillac’s China sales were up 48 percent in the quarter to 18,665 units and they were up 63 percent to 52,425 units in the first nine months of the year.
  • Opel/Vauxhall gained market share in 11 European countries in the first nine months of this year, including Germany, where the brand earned 7 percent of the market, up 0.3 points.                                       

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. 

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

!NEW! General Motors Outlines Strategic Plan

General Motors CEO Mary Barra talks with media Wednesday, October 1, 2014, before outlining the company's customer-focused strategic plan to become the most valued automotive company, at a conference for investors and financial analysts at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan
General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) CEO Mary Barra and her executive leadership team outlined the company’s customer-focused strategic plan to become the most valued automotive company at a conference for investors and financial analysts today at the company’s Milford Proving Ground.

GM CEO Mary Barra
“In the nine months that this leadership team has been together, we have spent a significant amount of time setting our goals for the future of GM and developing a specific action plan,” Barra said. “Our strategic plan is a pathway to earn customers for life and create significant shareholder value in the process. Every chance to connect with a customer is an opportunity to build a stronger relationship.”

GM’s strategic plan includes several major initiatives that the company anticipates will help it achieve 9- to 10-percent margins on an EBIT-adjusted basis by early next decade.

  • Lead in Product and Technology: In 2015, about 27 percent of GM’s global sales volume is expected to come from products new or refreshed within 18 months. That figure is expected to rise to 38 percent in 2016 and 2017, and reach 47 percent in 2019.

During the same time frame, GM plans to execute the world’s largest automotive deployment of 4G LTE high-speed mobile broadband, introduce vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity in the 2017 Cadillac CTS and launch a highly automated driving technology currently called Super Cruise, which allows for extended periods of hands-free driving on highways.

GM has also developed an innovative Mixed Material Body Structure that uses GM-patented welding technology and a combination of steel and aluminum stampings, castings and extrusions to deliver designs that are lightweight, use 20 percent fewer parts, have class-leading torsional stiffness and exhibit superior noise and vibration characteristics.

  • Grow Cadillac: GM is establishing its flagship brand as a separate business unit headquartered in New York City to pursue growth opportunities in the luxury market with more focus and clarity. Cadillac expects to introduce four new vehicles in North America in 2015, including the recently announced CT6. In addition, Cadillac plans to introduce nine new models in the next five years in China, which is expected to become the world’s largest luxury car market later this decade.
  • Continue Growing in China: GM’s joint ventures in China are planning to invest $14 billion from 2014 through 2018 to open five new vehicle- manufacturing plants and support sales of just under 5 million vehicles annually. In the same time frame, GM expects to launch 60 new or refreshed vehicles, including nine new sport utility vehicles.
  • Continue Growing GM Financial: GM Financial, which has seen its earning assets grow from $8.7 billion in 2010 to $37 billion today, continues to invest to support the sale of new GM cars, trucks and crossovers around the world. GM Financial has sharply increased the number of GM customers it serves in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe. Later this year, GM Financial expects to enter the growing Chinese market.
  • Deliver Core Operating Efficiencies: GM’s strategy to improve relationships with suppliers, derive more global volume from fewer vehicle architectures and lower enterprise costs for material and logistics is expected to deliver significantly better variable margins on upcoming high-volume product launches, including the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Astra in Europe, and the Chevrolet Cruze and Malibu in North America. By 2020, the company expects that about 99 percent of global production will be on core architectures.

Mid-decade Financial Targets

During the meeting, GM also reaffirmed the company’s previously announced near-term financial targets:
  • In North America, the company expects to achieve EBIT-adjusted margins of 10 percent in 2016.
  • In Europe, the company expects to return to profitability in 2016.
  • In China, the company expects that its joint ventures will maintain net income margins in the 9- to 10-percent range. 
  • In South America, the company’s core operations continue to improve as a result of recent product launches and material and logistics optimization. 
  • GM continues to address challenges in its international operations outside of China, including brand strategy, cost structure and sourcing to return to consistent profitability.
GM intends to return excess cash flow to stockholders primarily through strong and growing dividends based on sustained improvements in the company’s underlying financial performance.


Friday, 18 July 2014

!NEW! General Motors Delivered 2.5 Million Vehicles Globally in Q2

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) sold 2,505,889 vehicles around the world in the second quarter of 2014, with year-over-year sales in the United States and China up 7 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Total sales were up one-half percent in the second quarter. In the first half, GM sold 4,921,928 vehicles, up 1.4 percent.


“GM did well in the world’s two largest and most profitable vehicle markets and that helped us grow despite very challenging market conditions in parts of South America, Asia and Eastern Europe,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “We are investing in our brands around the world to keep our momentum going, and that includes growing Cadillac in China, launching a total of 27 new Opel models between 2014 and 2018 and entering new segments in North America with vehicles like the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.”

Highlights (vs. 2013)
  • Chevrolet had record sales in China in the first half of 2014 and the strong performance of the brand’s new full-size pickups and large SUVs in North America helped GM achieve record average transaction prices in both the second quarter and first half.
  • Buick, which celebrated the best sales year in the brand’s 110-year history in 2013, posted an 11 percent increase in the quarter and it is up 12 percent year to date. Buick global sales in the first six months of 2014 are 152 percent higher than they were just six years ago, growth that has outpaced all major American, European, Japanese and Korean makes.
  • Cadillac’s global sales were up 14 percent in the quarter, including a 51 percent increase in China. Calendar year to date, deliveries were up 12 percent, driven by a 72 percent increase in China sales.
  • Opel/Vauxhall sales increased 3 percent in the second quarter. Sales were up 4 percent in the first half and Opel gained share in 11 European markets. In addition, the Mokka was the best-selling SUV in the first six months of the year in Germany.


                      GM Delivieries Q2-2014.xlsx

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

!NEW! General Motors Sells April Record 278,263 Vehicles in China

Vehicle sales by General Motors and its joint ventures in China increased 6.3 percent on an annual basis last month to an April record 278,263 units.


Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling, as well as their Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Wuling brands, all reached new highs for April sales.

Its strong performance took GM’s sales for the first four months of 2014 to a record 1,197,375 units, an increase of 11.0 percent on an annual basis. This is the eighth consecutive year and the earliest ever that GM has sold more than a million vehicles in a calendar year in China.

Shanghai GM’s domestic sales in April were up 5.8 percent year on year to 128,608 units, SAIC-GM-Wuling’s sales in China were up 7.4 percent to 144,729 units and FAW-GM’s sales in the domestic market were down 3.9 percent to 4,926 units.

Buick sales in the domestic market totaled 68,707 units in April, which was an increase of 2.7 percent on an annual basis. The original Excelle family had sales of 24,092 units, while sales of the Excelle XT and GT totaled 18,253 units. They were followed by the Regal, which sold 8,126 units, and the GL8, which sold 6,403 units.

Chevrolet sales in China rose 6.4 percent from the previous April to 53,810 units. Its best-selling model was the Cruze, whose sales increased 16.0 percent to 20,036 units. Following the Cruze was the Sail, which had sales of 16,598 units, an increase of 7.7 percent.

Cadillac sales were up 49.4 percent from last April to 6,091 units. It benefited from strong demand of 2,678 units for the XTS luxury sedan and 2,405 units for the SRX luxury utility vehicle.

Wuling sales in China rose 11.2 percent on an annual basis in April to 138,524 units. The Hong Guang family sold more than 60,000 units, which was an increase of 92.3 percent year on year.

Between January and April 2014, Shanghai GM had domestic sales growth of 9.3 percent to 550,430 units. SAIC-GM-Wuling generated domestic sales growth of 13.2 percent to 624,740 units. Both were new highs for the period. FAW-GM’s local sales were up 1.1 percent to 21,893 units.

In addition, during the first four months of 2014, Buick sales rose 11.2 percent year on year to 306,801 units, Chevrolet sales were up 2.8 percent to 222,181 units, Cadillac sales jumped 85.4 percent to 21,448 units, Wuling sales grew 14.9 percent to 599,157 units and Baojun sales were down 15.7 percent to 25,583 units.

General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 58,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2013, GM sold nearly 3.2 million vehicles in China. 

Sunday, 20 April 2014

!NEW! General Motors Delivered 2.4 Million Vehicles Globally in Q1

General Motors Co. dealers delivered 2,416,028 vehicles around the world in the first quarter of 2014, up 2 percent compared with a year ago.

General Motors dealers delivered 2,416,028 vehicles around the world in the first quarter of 2014, up 2 percent compared with a year ago.

Among GM’s top five global markets by volume, China posted the largest year-over-year sales increase, with deliveries up 13 percent to a record 919,114 units. Sales in the United Kingdom and Germany were also up, and Opel/Vauxhall grew its share in 10 European markets.

“We are very encouraged by our results in China, where we outperformed the industry, and in Europe, where Opel’s sales and the economic outlook are improving at the same time,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “We continue to be optimistic about the United States because our award-winning new products are performing well and we have more on the way. South America continues to be challenging for Chevrolet, where we face currency and other challenges, especially in Venezuela.”

First Quarter Highlights (vs. 2013)
  • In Europe, GM’s improving market position is linked to the Opel Mokka and the new Opel Insignia flagship sedan. Cumulative Mokka orders have surpassed 215,000 units since it was launched in fall 2012, while Insignia has topped 85,000 units since it was launched in fall 2013.
  • GM sales in China set a record in the first quarter. In addition, 2014 deliveries surpassed 1 million units in early April. This is the earliest sales have reached the seven-figure range.
  • Buick, which celebrated the best year in the brand’s 110-year history in 2013, posted a 14 percent global sales increase.
  • Cadillac’s global sales were up 9 percent and sales in China more than doubled to 15,357 units.

GM’s global market share was 11.1 percent, which is down two-tenths of a point from a year ago. However, Opel/Vauxhall gained market share in 10 European markets, including Germany. GM also gained market share in China due to the ongoing success of Buick and Wuling, as well as the growth of Cadillac.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. 

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

!NEW! General Motors Sells 1 Millionth Vehicle in China in 2014


General Motors and its joint ventures today sold their 1 millionth vehicle in China in 2014. This is the eighth consecutive year that GM has sold more than one million vehicles in a calendar year, and the earliest it has reached the 1 million mark.


GM first sold 1 million vehicles in China in 2007, when it achieved the milestone in December. Last year, GM hit a million on April 22.

During a ceremony at GM China’s headquarters in Shanghai on April 21, GM will hand over the keys of the 1 millionth vehicle – a Chevrolet Trax small SUV – to its new owner.

"General Motors has made China a global priority, expanding both our brand and product lineup to keep up with the changing demands of the market,” said GM Executive Vice President and GM China President Matt Tsien. “We appreciate the support that we have received from our partners, our joint ventures and, most important, our customers in China."

GM currently offers more than 40 models under seven brands in China. Its products range from mini-cars to luxury sedans, and from mini-commercial vehicles to light-duty trucks. GM and its joint ventures will be showcasing several of their current products along with many new models next week at Auto China 2014 in Beijing.

General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 58,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2013, GM sold nearly 3.2 million vehicles in China.

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

!NEW! GM’s Retail Sales up 7 percent, Outpacing Industry

Average transaction prices hit record $34,000; incentives down during month


General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers delivered 256,047 vehicles in the United States in March 2014. Total sales were up 4 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were up 7 percent and GM gained retail market share.

Fleet sales were down 5 percent due to a planned reduction in rental deliveries. However, commercial fleet sales were up 5 percent for the fifth consecutive monthly increase.

“GM’s retail sales, like the weather and the economy as a whole, have been on an improving trend since early February,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “We expect to see solid economic growth in the months ahead, with the job market, household income and consumer spending all showing positive signs. It is a strong backdrop for the launch of our all-new heavy-duty pickups, large SUVs and other new products, like the Cadillac ATS coupe coming this summer. 

“Our dealers continue to work hard to exceed people’s expectations for customer care, whether they are shopping for one of our award-winning new products or coming in to have their vehicle serviced,” he said

March Retail Sales Highlights (vs. 2013)

  • Deliveries of the Chevrolet Silverado, the 2014 North American Truck of the Year, were up 14 percent and the GMC Sierra was up 23 percent. 
  • During the month, Vincentric, which uses a proprietary model to measure cost of ownership attributes including depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, said the Chevrolet Silverado family has the lowest cost among full-size pickups.
  • Deliveries of Chevrolet passenger cars were up 10 percent. The Spark was up 17 percent; Sonic was up 20 percent; the Volt was up 7 percent; the Impala was up 103 percent; and the Corvette, the 2014 North American Car of the Year, was up 221 percent.
  • Deliveries of the Cadillac SRX were up 37 percent. In addition, the CTS family was up 11 percent on the strength of the new 2014 CTS sedan, which is the 2014 Motor Trend Car of the Year.
  • Sales of the Buick Regal were up 52 percent and the Encore was up 71 percent.
  • Sales of large SUVs were up 62 percent, with availability of the all-new 2015 models building, per plan.
  • GM’s incentives as a percentage of average transaction prices, or ATPs, were 10 percent compared with 10.3 percent for the industry, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates through March 23. That is down from February and year over year.
  • GM’s ATPs set a new record of about $34,000, up about $2,000 per unit from February and more than $3,800 from a year ago, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.                                                               
GM delayed this release for several hours due to a computer systems issue that impacted dealer sales reporting. These results reflect sales reported through GM’s primary and backup dealer systems and we believe they accurately reflect March sales, although it is possible that a few hundred March deliveries may be reported in April. 

Tuesday, 14 January 2014

!NEW! GM Delivered 9.7 Million Vehicles Globally in 2013


General Motors Co. (GM) dealers delivered 9,714,652 vehicles around the world in the 2013, up 4 percent compared with 2012. Among GM’s top five global markets by volume, China and the United Kingdom posted the largest year-over-year sales increases on a percentage basis, with each up 11 percent. GM’s China sales set a new full-year record. Sales in the United States increased 7 percent.

“A healthy auto market in the United States and China, and very successful product launches at all of our brands worldwide drove GM’s growth in 2013 and helped us navigate difficult conditions in Europe and parts of South America and Asia,” said Dan Ammann, GM executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Ammann, who has been named president of General Motors, will discuss the company’s outlook and strategy at the 2014 Global Auto Industry Conference hosted by Deutsche Bank on Wednesday, January 15, in Detroit. GM’s presentation will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. EST followed by a Q&A session.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available here. Presentation materials will be posted in the Investor section of gm.com shortly before the webcast.

Going forward, GM plans to announce its global sales on a quarterly basis using this new template as part of the company’s effort to provide insightful and easily accessible information about its global growth strategy.

Highlights (vs. 2012)

  • Chevrolet sold a record 4,984,126 vehicles in 2013, an increase of 19,304 from the previous record set in 2012. Key product launches included the Silverado, named the 2014 North American Truck of the Year, and the Corvette Stingray, named the 2014 North American Car of the Year.
  • Cadillac’s global sales were up 28 percent. The brand ended 2013 as the fastest-growing full-line luxury brand in the United States, with sales up 22 percent following the introductions of the all-new XTS and ATS. In China, Cadillac’s sales grew 67 percent to a record 50,005 vehicles. Cadillac broke ground on a new assembly plant in China last year and plans to add one new model per year in the country through 2016.
  • Buick’s global sales were up 15 percent as it introduced redesigns of the LaCrosse and Regal in all of its major markets and added new models in North America, including the Encore crossover. Dealers delivered 1,032,331 vehicles for the best year in the brand’s 110-year history. The previous record of 1,003,345 vehicles sold was set in 1984, before the brand entered the China market.
  • Opel / Vauxhall sold more than 1 million vehicles globally and delivered a slight increase in European market share to the mid-5 percent range, its first in 14 years, following the successful launches of the Mokka and ADAM.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands.
   

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

!NEW! Dan Akerson to Retire as GM CEO in January 2014

Mary Barra to Become Next GM CEO; Dan Ammann Named President

Daniel F. Akerson - GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Company

General Motors today announced that Dan Akerson, who guided today’s GM to record profits and dramatic improvement in vehicle quality while closing the chapter on government ownership in the company, will step down as chairman and CEO on Jan. 15, 2014.

Mary Barra to become next GM CEO

Mary T. Barra - GM Executive Vice President, Global Product Development & Global Purchasing & Supply Chain

Mary Barra, 51, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, was elected by the Board of Directors to become the next CEO of the company.  Barra will also join the GM Board. 

Dan Akerson, 65, pulled ahead his succession plan by several months after his wife was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer.

The Board also named Theodore (Tim) Solso to succeed Akerson as Chairman.  Solso, 66, is the former chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc., and has been a member of the GM Board since June 2012.

Theodore M. Solso - GM Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cummins, Inc.

“I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America’s standard bearer in the global auto industry,”  Akerson said in a message to employees.

With 33 years of experience at GM, Barra has risen through a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions.  She is a leader in the company’s ongoing turnaround, revitalizing GM’s product development process resulting in the launch of critically acclaimed new products while delivering record product quality ratings and higher customer satisfaction.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today’s GM,” said Barra. “I’m honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”

Dan Ammann, 41, executive vice president and chief financial officer, was named company president and will assume responsibility for managing the company’s regional operations around the world.  The global Chevrolet and Cadillac brand organizations and GM Financial will also report to Ammann.

Daniel Ammann - GM Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Ammann joined GM in 2010 where his first assignment was to manage GM’s initial public offering. As CFO, he has led a transformation of GM’s finance operations into a world-class organization.  He also led the strategy to rebuild the company’s captive finance capability through the successful establishment and growth of GM Financial.

“We have a significant opportunity to further integrate and optimize our operations to deliver even better results,” said Ammann.  “While we have made good progress, we still have much work ahead of us to realize GM’s full potential.”

Ammann will retain CFO responsibilities at least through the release of the company’s fourth quarter and full-year 2013 results in early February 2014.  His replacement as CFO will be named later.

Mark Reuss, 50, executive vice president and president, North America, will replace Barra as executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.  Under Reuss’ watch, GM’s North America region has produced consistent profits and improved margins during a product renaissance that includes the launch of award-winning cars and trucks such as the Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Corvette, Impala and Silverado pickup.


Mark Reuss - GM Executive Vice President and President, North America
“The driver’s seat of designing and engineering the strongest product line up in GM’s history is the best seat to have,” said Reuss.  “We’re going to keep the pedal down on GM’s product resurgence and keep winning new customers.”

Alan Batey, currently senior vice president, Global Chevrolet and U.S. Sales and Marketing, will replace Reuss and is named Executive Vice President and President, North America.  Batey, 50, joined GM’s Vauxhall operation in 1979 and held several sales, service and marketing positions around the world.  In his current position, he has developed the Chevrolet brand’s Find New Roads advertising campaign and has overseen a sweeping upgrade of retail sales and service operations at hundreds of U.S. dealerships.

Alan Batey - GM Senior Vice President, Global Chevrolet Brand Chief & U.S. Sales and Marketing
“North America is the foundation of the GM turnaround story and I’m honored to help continue what Mark started,” said Batey.  “We remain committed to delivering the world’s best retail experience to match the world’s best cars and trucks.”

The company also announced that Steve Girsky, 51, vice chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Global Product Planning, will move to a senior advisor role until leaving the company in April 2014.  He will remain on the GM Board of Directors.

Stephen J. Girsky - GM Vice Chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development & Global Product Planning
Girsky led GM’s turnaround plan for Europe that has put that region’s operations back on a path to profitability.  He has also put GM’s OnStar unit at the forefront of in-vehicle connectivity and helped create GM Ventures to speed the commercialization of new technologies in GM vehicles.

“I share Dan’s pride for what the company has accomplished and his sense of optimism for a bright future,” said Girsky.  “This team is united in its commitment to building on the foundation that we have established.”

Under Akerson’s leadership, GM made swift progress as the company transformed from being majority owned by U.S. Treasury to being publicly traded and investment grade rated.

“My goals as CEO were to put the customer at the center of every decision we make, to position GM for long term success and to make GM a company that America can be proud of again,” Akerson said.  “We are well down that path, and I’m certain that our new team will keep us moving in that direction.”

Akerson was named GM Chairman and CEO on September 1, 2010.  He joined GM in 2009 as a member of its Board of Directors.  Since the company’s November 2010 Initial Public Offering, GM has recorded 15 consecutive quarters of profitability, has earned this year the best overall initial vehicle quality scores of any auto manufacturer, and has re-invested nearly $9 billion and created or retained more than 25,000 jobs at its U.S plants.

Thursday, 5 December 2013

!NEW! GM Strengthens its European Brand Strategy

  • Opel / Vauxhall to compete as GM’s mainstream brands across Europe
  • Chevrolet to focus on iconic products in Europe
  • Cadillac to expand in Europe


General Motors (GM) today announced plans to accelerate its progress in Europe by bolstering its brands in the mainstream and premium segments.




Beginning in 2016, GM will compete in Europe’s volume markets under its respected Opel and Vauxhall brands. The company’s Chevrolet brand will no longer have a mainstream presence in Western and Eastern Europe, largely due to a challenging business model and the difficult economic situation in Europe. 

Chevrolet, the fourth-largest global automotive brand, will instead tailor its presence to offering select iconic vehicles – such as the Corvette – in Western and Eastern Europe, and will continue to have a broad presence in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. 

This will improve the Opel and Vauxhall brands and reduce the market complexity associated with having Opel and Chevrolet in Western and Eastern Europe. In Russia and the CIS, the brands are clearly defined and distinguished and, as a result, are more competitive within their respective segments.

Cadillac, which is finalizing plans for expanding in the European market, will enhance and expand its distribution network over the next three years as it prepares for numerous product introductions.

“Europe is a key region for GM that will benefit from a stronger Opel and Vauxhall and further emphasis on Cadillac,” said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “For Chevrolet, it will allow us to focus our investments where the opportunity for growth is greatest.”

“This is a win for all four brands. It’s especially positive for car buyers throughout Europe, who will be able to purchase vehicles from well-defined, vibrant GM brands,” Akerson said.

Chevrolet will work closely with its dealer network in Western and Eastern Europe to define future steps while ensuring it can honor obligations to existing customers in the coming years.

“Our customers can rest assured that we will continue to provide warranty, parts and services for their Chevrolet vehicles, and for vehicles purchased between now and the end of 2015,” said Thomas Sedran, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. “We want to thank our customers and dealers for their loyalty to the Chevrolet brand here in Europe.”

The majority of the Chevrolet portfolio sold in Western and Eastern Europe is produced in South Korea. As a result, GM will increase its focus on driving profitability, managing costs and maximizing sales opportunities in its Korean operations as the company looks for new ways to improve business results in the fast-changing and highly competitive global business environment.

“We will continue to become more competitive in Korea,” said GM Korea President and CEO Sergio Rocha. “In doing so, we will position ourselves for long-term competitiveness and sustainability in the best interests of our employees, customers and stakeholders, while remaining a significant contributor to GM’s global business.”

With the decision that Chevrolet will no longer have a mainstream presence in Western and Eastern Europe, GM expects to record net special charges of $700 million to $1 billion primarily in the fourth quarter of 2013 and continuing through the first half of 2014. The special charges include asset impairments, dealer restructuring, sales incentives and severance-related costs, and will pave the way for continued improvement in GM’s European operations through the further strengthening of the Opel and Vauxhall brands. Approximately $300 million of the net special charges will be non-cash expenses. In addition, GM expects to incur restructuring costs related to these actions that will not be treated as special charges, but will impact GM International Operations earnings in 2014.

Monday, 8 July 2013

!NEW! Opel Monza Concept: Vision of Opel’s Future


  • Ground-breaking concept: Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann reveals first glimpse of IAA study
  • Next generation of Opel design philosophy: Evolution of sculptural styling
  • New athleticism: Maximum efficiency of vehicle architecture, powertrain and materials
  • Modern: Innovative connectivity solutions for individual mobility
  • Pioneering: Visionary IAA studies from Opel since Experimental GT in 1965


  • Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann and new Opel Monza Concept

    After more than 150 years of company history packed with strong innovations, Opel now introduces its newest highlight – at least partially. The ground-breaking Opel Monza Concept will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show from September 12 – 22 (Press Days September 10 and 11), but today Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann gives a first glimpse of this exciting study. “DRIVE!2022 is a clear strategy for the future of Opel as a company and a brand,” says Dr. Neumann. “It covers a whole range of subject areas and elements, and in terms of the future of our models, we’ve bundled all our targets together in the Opel Monza Concept. It is our vision of Opel’s future and stands for our fundamental values: German engineering and precision, combined with enthralling design and innovations suitable for everyday use. The Monza Concept carries these elements forward in a visionary fashion, expressing them with fresh inspiration and clarity. This car is a study that will have a long-term impact on the next generation of Opel models.”

    Monza Concept: Beginning the next generation of Opel mobility

    The Monza Concept shows what Opel customers can expect to see in the future. It focuses on two major themes which will be top priorities for the more than 6,000 engineers, technicians and designers in Rüsselsheim developing the next generation of Opel models: efficiency and connectivity. The Monza Concept demonstrates outstanding efficiency through its architecture and use of materials, as well as in its aerodynamics and ground-breaking powertrain solution. In terms of connectivity, it offers trailblazing possibilities that are a quantum leap in the development of infotainment systems.



    The Monza Concept is a recognizable further development of Opel’s design language.. To visibly express Opel’s quest for increased efficiency, the study presents an evolution of Opel’s design philosophy of sculptural artistry and German precision, with body contours conveying a sense of lithe athleticism rather than pure muscle power.


    This design emphasis is immediately apparent in the vehicle’s frontal styling. A low stance with flowing lines, the clearly defined hood and a striking headlamp treatment all combine to give the car an extra dose of assertive self-confidence. Further developed signature Opel themes are embedded in the overall look: the typical crease on the hood appears more three-dimensional and thus more prominent, while the chrome grille bar carrying the Opel logo now sweeps up with winglets at its tips. Two characteristic blades under the head lamps add to the sporty appeal. Overall, the Monza Concept has a light, athletic look designed to convey efficiency, excitement and great driving fun.



    The sporty appeal of Opel models has always been inseparably linked to functionality and, in this respect, the Monza Concept pays homage to the seminal Opel Monza Coupé, built between 1978 and 1986. It also combined elegant, dynamic styling with clever, functional solutions for drivers and passengers. Similarities between the two cars are visible in design elements such as their large, glazed surfaces and low belt-line.

    Opel Monza (1978)
    The original Monza was the first car on the market to feature a digital dashboard display and the Monza Concept continues this innovative theme. It introduces ground-breaking technologies for future infotainment and connectivity possibilities, showing how next-generation Opel cars will address the needs of a closely connected and sharing society. They will enable future individual mobility that’s more than simply a driving experience alone.
    Opel Monza (1986)

    Opel Experimental GT: Start of visionary IAA studies

    The trendsetting Monza Concept is the latest in a line of visionary IAA studies from Opel which began in 1965 with the spectacular Opel Experimental GT. At that time, Opel was the first automaker to build a concept study in Europe and present it at an automotive trade show – with overwhelming success. The Experimental GT created enthusiasm among the media and public alike, and was the starting point for ongoing presentations of concept cars to showcase innovative ideas and future developments for the brand portfolio. Opel studies in the 1960s were so successful that all European competitors subsequently began developing and presenting their own concepts.

    “With the Opel Monza Concept, we make our automotive future tangible today,” says Opel CEO Neumann. And fueling curiosity about Rüsselsheim’s newest study ahead of its world premiere, he adds: “I can’t yet go into detail about how the Monza Concept’s interior design, and especially its trend-setting technologies, will change the driving experience. However, I can guarantee that viewed from any angle, its innovative body design and perfect proportions will turn heads. But they are just a visible expression of the great substance you will find under the bodywork. Everyone should visit us at the Opel stand at the IAA to get a look at Opel’s exciting future!”