!NEW! Opel Continues to Grow in Europe

• Sales increased by around 8,500 units in first three months of 2015
• Market share grew, market share gains in 11 European markets

Especially Opel Mokka SUV is a major momentum driver: Opel gains market share in 11 European countries

Opel is on the right track: with 279,306 new registrations in the first quarter of 2015, the automaker’s sales were considerably higher than the same year-ago period according to preliminary figures. The sales increase of around 8,500 cars is a plus of 3.1 percent. With this, Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall grew slightly more than the overall European vehicle market‘s 2.8 percent increase. The automaker was also able to continue its positive market share trend from 2013 and 2014, slightly increasing it over the same year-ago period to 5.83 percent.

Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales and Aftersales, Opel Group, was pleased with market share growth in a total of 11 European markets. “In countries like the UK, Spain, Italy, Poland and Turkey, demand is considerably higher than last year. With our young and attractive model portfolio, we benefit from this.”

The compact Opel Mokka SUV, which continues to be extremely popular and leads its segment in countries like Italy and Germany, is a major momentum driver. In the first quarter of 2015, the Rüsselsheim automaker surpassed the 50,000 mark for new passenger car registrations on its home market in Germany: exactly 51,584 (year-ago period: 49,965) new Opel cars hit the roads. The best month was March, when Opel increased its new registrations to 23,044 (March 2014: 22,131), a market share of 7.1 percent. The Opel passenger car market share in the first quarter of 2015 was 6.8 percent in Germany.

The light commercial vehicle (LCV) business showed a clear upwards trend. Opel improved market share in the European LCV field to 4.2 percent in the first quarter of 2015 – the best quarterly market share since 2009 thanks to the new Vivaro and Movano models. Peter Christian Küspert says, “The LCV business offers tremendous potential for growth and it is a key pillar of our long-term plan DRIVE! 2022.”

!NEW! Holden Commits to Euro-Sourced Line-Up

Holden has given its first clear indication of its future product strategy, confirming that over one-third of the brand’s future models will be sourced from Europe.

Executive Vice President and President of GM Europe, Karl-Thomas Neumann, made the announcement today, at the opening of the Paris Auto Show.

“I’m very excited about the role our great products will play in the resurgence of the Holden brand, by being able to provide more than one-third of Holden’s future product line-up,” Mr Neumann said.

“Spearheaded by Opel’s DRIVE! 2022 strategy, we are making significant investments in new models, engines, transmissions and testing facilities to ensure we deliver truly world class products to our export markets like Australia.”

Holden’s Chairman and Managing Director, Gerry Dorizas, confirmed the decision, stating the three European-sourced vehicles to be launched in Australia in 2015 would be just the start of things to come.

“We are absolutely committed to bringing the best possible products from GM’s global portfolio to Australian customers to support a strong and exciting future for Holden,” Mr Dorizas said.

“Holden and Opel share very similar core brand values, including our commitment to performance, engineering excellence, vehicle dynamics and technology, which makes this such a strong and obvious partnership.

“Opel’s commitment to performance and quality aligns perfectly with Holden’s heritage and brand and in turn, these fantastic vehicles will benefit from being backed by one of Australia’s strongest brands and biggest dealer networks.”

Earlier this year Holden announced that it will launch three European-sourced vehicles in the first half of 2015 - the sleek Cascada convertible, the Astra GTC and VXR three-door hatches and the sophisticated Insignia VXR performance sedan.

“The performance credentials and premium execution of Astra, Cascada and Insigina are a perfect match for Holden and will provide yet more fantastic choice for our customers,” Mr Dorizas said.

!NEW! Opel becomes more Efficient and Solid

• Newly-established Opel Group reflects widened scope of European activities
• From now on, Opel’s leadership team steers General Motor’s European business including Russia from the Opel Group 
• Opel Group assumes economic responsibility for all GM brands in Europe
• Adam Opel AG enjoys more solid financial basis
• No effects on quarterly reporting in Europe
• Employees’ rights of co-determination contractually guaranteed

Opel improves its organizational structure: effective 1 July 2014, the newly-established Opel Group assumes full responsibility for General Motor’s business in Europe. Through this new entity, the company aggregates the responsibilities for Opel/Vauxhall as well as all other operations of GM in Europe – including Russia. Led by Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, the management board of the Opel Group, which is almost identical to the so-far existing management board of the Adam Opel AG, will steer GM’s European business. The new entity, similar to the Adam Opel AG, will be based in Rüsselsheim.

With this organizational change, the Opel Group will also take over economic responsibility for all GM brands in Europe. Consequently, the Adam Opel AG will be able to strengthen its financial basis. The operative business of the Adam Opel AG remains unaffected by this reorganization.

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, CEO of the management board of Opel Group GmbH: “Today, we are more than just Opel/Vauxhall. With the Opel Group, we align our organizational and legal entity structure in Europe with the business operations. We streamline our decision making processes and increase our efficiency. In brief: this reorganization is an important step in implementing our business plan DRIVE! 2022 and another sign of confidence of our parent company GM.” By 2022, the company aims to gain market share of 8 percent in Europe, increase the profit margin to 5 percent and further improve product quality as well as customer and employee satisfaction.

The employees’ rights of co-determination are contractually guaranteed in the new organizational structure. Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug, Chairman of the General Works Council: “We ensured that the right of co-determination is safeguarded to the same extent despite the organizational changes.” In reference to the foundation of the Opel Group with its about 100 employees, Dr. Schäfer-Klug said: “We are happy that Opel’s position has been further strengthened. From Opel’s perspective, the reorganization of the European business offers more opportunities for growth and employment.” 

The new Opel Group is a testimony of how important Opel has become for General Motors. The Opel leadership has taken over numerous GM responsibilities in Europe over the past two years. Among these are full responsibility for Russia’s growing market and the planned manufacture of selected cars for Buick in the US and Holden in Australia and New Zealand.

!NEW! Opel outlines growth plan until 2022

• Market share in Europe to increase to 8 percent by 2022
• EBIT margin of 5 percent targeted
• 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018

Opel has presented an update of its DRIVE!2022 strategy. The company has set itself five strategic objectives. By 2022, Opel and Vauxhall are aiming for 8 percent market share in Europe, with the focus on profitable growth. The profit margin (earnings before interest and taxes – EBIT) is targeted to reach 5 percent. At the same time, the company plans to further enhance the quality of its products as well as the satisfaction of its customers and employees.

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Chairman of the Board of Adam Opel AG

Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann: “In the past months Opel’s management team has worked hard on advancing the DRIVE!2022 initiative. The catalogue of strategic targets presented here today is the result of our efforts. We have already made the preparations for implementing the plan step by step. We have the full backing of our parent company General Motors.”

Opel is focusing on three strategic priorities: models, brands and an improved market penetration. The model and engine offensive is continuing at a fast pace. A total of 27 new models and 17 engines are planned for the years 2014 through 2018.

The second strategic priority is the strengthening of Opel’s image as an emotional, approachable and German brand. The values are brought across by such factors as technical innovations, German engineering skills, and good value for money. Technical innovations, for instance, are exemplified by OnStar, the next stage of vehicle connectivity that will turn the automobile into a Wi-Fi hotspot starting in 2015.

Market share and growth targets represent the third priority. By 2022, Opel plans to increase its market share in Germany from 7.2 to 10 percent. In Europe (including Russia and Turkey), the company aims to raise its market share from a current 5.8 to 8 percent. By 2022, Opel plans to become the number two in the European passenger car market together with its British sister brand Vauxhall.

Opel announced the DRIVE!2022 ten-year plan for the first time in summer 2012. In 2013, the company had already made substantial operational progress, cutting its losses in Europe by more than half. Opel expects 2014 to be a challenging year. On the one hand, the company continues to improve its operational business. On the other hand, non-recurring costs such as the closure of the plant in Bochum and volatile currencies will put pressure on earnings. Opel plans to return to profitability by mid-decade thanks to a number of measures, including lower product and structural costs, improved capacity utilization of plants, higher sales revenues and the improved brand profile.

!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!”