!NEW! Opel Financial Services to create more attractive financing options for Opel customers

Since April, Opel got an own captive financial services provider in Europe again: Matthias Schäfer, Managing Director Opel Versicherungs Service, Michael Lohscheller, Chief Financial Officer of the Adam Opel AG, and Erhard Paulat, Chief Operating Officer, GMAC Bank, explained how Opel now makes even more attractive financing offers.

For the past couple of weeks, Opel and Vauxhall customers in a number of Western European countries have been able to get access to more attractive financing options for their vehicle purchases. This is thanks to the creation of Opel Financial Services, a new European captive finance brand under the direction of GM Financial, one of the world’s largest automotive lenders.

Opel CFO Michael Lohscheller said: “The creation of Opel Financial Services in early April was a very important step for our brand. It will bring additional momentum to our product offensive, with 23 new models and 13 new powertrains on the way through 2016. A captive financial service entity strongly supports our sales growth plan and thereby will contribute to our strategic plan DRIVE! 2022. This US$1.7 billion investment in GM’s European business once again shows GM’s commitment to the European continent and to growth here.”

Jaap Timmer, Chairman of the European Opel Dealer Association (Euroda), said: “For us as dealers, this is a real advantage in terms of competitiveness. We now have the opportunity to even better tailor our financial offers to our customers’ needs and maintain close customer interaction throughout the entire ownership experience.”

Timmer added: “On an industry average, around 50 per cent of retail customers finance their cars through manufacturers’ house banks. The close relationship between manufacturers and their financing houses allows for even more attractive joint offers at the point of purchase – ones in which the dealer, manufacturer and bank can collectively develop strong incentives.”

For Opel and Vauxhall customers in Germany, the U.K., Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria, the creation of this new financing service means more attractive purchasing options. Opel Financial Services networks will be added in other European countries at a later stage.

The investment is part of a global acquisition that was announced in early April when General Motors Financial bought Ally Financial Inc. financing operations in Europe and  Latin America. With this initiative, GM Financial will – once all approvals from authorities are received – be in the position to serve customers and dealers in markets that account for around 80 percent of GM sales worldwide through brands such as Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac. 

!NEW! GM and Opel Management meet German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel

From left: Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Chairman of the Management Board of Adam Opel AG and President General Motors Europe, Steve Girsky, Deputy Chairman of the GM Board and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Adam Opel AG, German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel , Daniel F. Akerson, GM Chairman & CEO as well as Ronald Pofalla, Chief of the German Chancellery.

German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and Chief of the German Chancellery Ronald Pofalla today welcomed a delegation of GM Executives led by CEO Dan Akerson. Akerson was accompanied by Steve Girsky, Deputy Chairman of the GM Board and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Adam Opel AG, by Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Chairman of the Management Board of Adam Opel AG and President General Motors Europe, as well as Joachim Koschnicke, Vice President Public Policy at Adam Opel AG.

General Motors informed Chancellor Merkel about the deliberations that took place during the strategy conference (BOD) held from April 9 -11, 2013 in Germany. Focus was on the progress in implementing Opel’s ten-year plan “DRIVE!2022” as well as on the difficult environment in Europe. Another important topic was General Motors’ clear commitment to Germany and to Opel.

“GM and Opel have been together since 1929 and will stay together. And together we will also return to profitability in Europe. We have the strategy. We have the team. We have the cars. Germany is and remains the home and the backbone of Opel,” said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann after the meeting with the Chancellor. 

!NEW! "Well-positioned": Opel dealers have a positive outlook for 2013

• Turnaround: New management team is preparing for dealers conference destination direction
•  Product offensive with ADAM, Cascada and Insignia to the next round
• Surprise guest: Opel brand ambassador and Opel fan Jürgen Klopp

Star guest at the Opel dealer meeting: Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp talks to Opel Marketing Director Andreas Marx.

Modern cars and a new team - well equipped Opel launches into 2013. At today's Opel dealer conference in Rüsselsheim, the Executive Committee was led by Dr. Thomas Sedran and Alfred E. Rieck are main objectives. The event, attended by more than 1,000 dealer representatives from all over Germany had traveled was "placed Best" as its motto. Dr. Thomas Sedran to the guests: "We have products on the market, which are distinguished by their design, quality and advanced technology. Now it's up to all of us to communicate this to our customers and to convince them of our new models. "

The new Opel Cascada was one of the stars at the Opel dealer meeting in Rüsselsheim. Sales and Marketing Executive Alfred Rieck presented the elegant convertible, which celebrates in March at the Geneva Motor Show world premiere.

At the same time put the dealers Sedran the future plan "Drive! 2022 "before. He aims to lead Opel mid-decade to return to profitability. In addition to greater cost is the plan for a new sales strategy, strengthening the brand image as well as an export and model offensive. Alfred E. Rieck, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, presented the Drive on! " 2022 "based Key points:" We have brought in the past year with Ampera, new Astra family, mocha and other models groundbreaking vehicles to market. With the new products we want to create the turnaround and return to winning ways. That this is achieved, already shows the great customer interest in Mocha: At the beginning were already more than 65,000 orders for our compact SUV. Of central importance is also that our customers are satisfied with their vehicles and service. Here we also have to play to our strengths. "

"Let us take this momentum in the coming months," added the new Opel Sales Manager for Germany, Matthias Seidl. "By ADAM and elegant convertible Cascada now two more exciting models are in the starting blocks." Other components of the current product offensive, the recently available "Active" special models and the introduction of new engines in the spring. The second half then the new Insignia takes center stage. In order to attract the interest of customers, several events are in the dealerships as the great "Angrillen" at Opel on 19 January planned with the preview of the new Opel ADAM. Likewise, the five million existing customers are made aware of the increasingly comprehensive services as well as new models of Opel.

Sport commitment arouses enthusiasm for the brand Opel

Even the return of Opel in the sport has a positive effect on the perception of the brand. This demonstrates both the commitment to motor sports as well as in the Bundesliga. That could Borussia Dortmund coach and brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp confirm on the spot: "Not only in my players, especially for the fans, the cars from Opel are again a really hot topic of conversation, and hence also with their families and friends," explained Klopp Insignia of an enthusiastic driver is in front of the attending dealers. The "Opel Family Cup", which will take place in the summer and at the Klopp takes over the patronage was, here is a very good complement to win new customer groups for the brand.

"Customer satisfaction is the key to our success. To ensure this, we need a great vehicle, as we have prepared them with our current and future portfolio. Equally as important, they are, our local partners, because only you can convince customers to talk directly with the quality of our products. Where we can, we will help" Dr. Thomas Sedran called the dealer to help to break new ground in customer activation.

!NEW! GM Chairman Dan Akerson strengthens commitment to Opel

• Company chief visits Rüsselsheim and engages with employees
• Clear commitment to corporate plan “Drive Opel 2022”

The GM Chairman and CEO, Dan Akerson, attended an all employee meeting of the Adam Opel AG at its headquarters in Ruesselsheim (Germany). Several thousand members of staff gathered in the K48 hall to receive first-hand information. In addition, Akerson addressed their questions about the situation of the company and the forward looking plan “Drive Opel 2022”.

Akerson referred to the continuing and difficult economic climate in Europe. However, at the same time he underscored the need and determination to return Opel to growth as a significant part of GM’s global success. “A company like GM needs a strong presence in Europe, powerful design and product development as well as a strong network of dealerships. Opel fulfills this role.” According to Akerson Opel will again sell more than a million vehicles this year and will continue to play a leading role in GM’s global product development.

Opel ADAM

“There are several positive signs that demonstrate that our corporate plan is starting to work,” Akerson added. He referred to the reduction of overheads by 300 million dollars in the year to date. “We are relying on our own hard work and are not counting on a tailwind from the markets,” Akerson said. The comprehensive product offensive including appealing, new vehicles like the compact Mokka SUV and the chic, urban ADAM will, according to Akerson, continue to be a key element.

Opel Mokka SUV

Opel Management Board presents strategy “Drive Opel 2022” to dealers

Applause for the ADAM and for the new model offensive of the company 

The new management board of the Adam Opel AG today hosted several hundred business partners from trade and finance at its Ruesselsheim headquarters. The aim of the event was to introduce the new management board members and to unveil the key points of the future program "Drive Opel 2022".

The chairman of the Opel supervisory board, Stephen Girsky, the Opel/Vauxhall deputy chairman, Dr. Thomas Sedran, and works council chairman Dr. Wolfgang Schaefer-Klug were also present. Girsky once again underscored GM’s support for Opel. “Opel is the third biggest brand in the global GM portfolio and the third largest brand in the European market. Each year Opel sells well over a million cars. We are confident that the new leadership team and our long-term strategy ‘Drive Opel 2022’ will return the company to its old strength. We’re working hard and every day we’re getting better.”

The Opel/Vauxhall Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alfred E. Rieck presented details of the revitalization plan of the 150 year-old traditional brand, including new soccer sponsoring activities. Then Opel/Vauxhall Vice President Engineering, Michael F. Ableson, discussed the product offensive of the company: “With cars like the Mokka and the ADAM we are entering new segments that promise growth. We are confident of the success of our product offensive with 23 new models and 13 new engines by 2016.”

The VIP gathering not only got an insight into future strategies: they also had the chance to catch a glimpse of upcoming models. There was much applause for the chic urban car, the ADAM, which makes its debut around the end of September at the Paris Motor Show.

"This is exactly the car we need," said Thomas Bieling, chairman of the association of German Opel dealers. "It represents the essence of the brand: creativity, great design and lots of innovation. And in addition top quality from our German Eisenach plant. With these vehicles the company will be on the track to success again.”