!NEW! Opel Underlines Commitment in Growth Market Israel

Early contract renewal to 2020 with Shlomo Group 

Successful duo: Shlomo Shmeltzer (on left) and Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann after signing the new contract

Opel and the leading automobile importer in Israel, the Shlomo Group, have extended their collaboration. Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, CEO of Adam Opel AG, and Shlomo Shmeltzer, Managing Director of the Shlomo Group, today met at Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim and signed the new contract extending the companies’ collaboration until 2020. With this, Opel strengthens its presence in Israel, an important export market for the brand.

Fabulous four: Asi and Shlomo Shmeltzer with Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann and Jürgen Keller, Director International Operations (from left)

“We have been on the right track in Israel since beginning this cooperation two years ago. We are very pleased that with the Shlomo Group we have one of the strongest Israeli companies as a sales associate and reliable partner. By renewing our contract early, we not only reinforce this cooperation, but also our brand in Israel,” said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.

 Shlomo Shmeltzer (on left) and Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann  in front of the Opel’s headquarters at Rüsselsheim

The Shlomo Group is the leading automotive and largest car rental group in Israel. The company has been importing and selling Opel vehicles and spare parts on the Israeli market since the spring of 2011. Last year around 4,600 Opel cars were sold, and in 2013 sales are to exceed 5,000 vehicles. 

!NEW! Opel continues on road to success in Israel

Opel Insignia official car for members of Israeli parliament

The Opel representatives Lutz Jäckel, Opel Director Sales, Marketing & Aftersales (left), and Jürgen Keller, Director International Operations (2nd from right), together with Asi Shmeltzer, Managing Director of the Shlomo Group (2nd from left) and Ilan Tal, Co-Managing Director of the Shlomo Group (right), handed over the first 25 of in total 120 Opel Insignia to members of the Israeli Knesset.

Members of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, now drive Opel. Fifty of the 120 members have an Insignia as their official car for business travel. Together with the Israeli Opel importer Shlomo Group, the automaker won the Knesset’s open call for tenders for its vehicle fleet. The first 25 cars were now delivered to parliament representatives in Jerusalem by Jürgen Keller, Director International Operations at Opel, Lutz Jäckel, Director Sales, Marketing, Aftersales at Opel and Asi Shmeltzer, Managing Director of the Shlomo Group.

“The Israeli market has an important role in our export offensive. The fact that we were able to win over parliament members, a group of important opinion leaders, is impressive confirmation of the success of our brand in Israel,” said Jürgen Keller as the vehicles were delivered, and added, "This clearly shows that Opel continues strengthening its successful position in Israel.”

Together with the Shlomo Group, Opel already launched the brand’s activities on the Israeli market in 2011. As exclusive importer, Shlomo has a widespread sales network of eight sales centers and 14 service stations. Around 5,000 new cars were already sold in Israel in 2012. 

Opel models are now sold in eight locations in Israel with the opening of the latest site in Jerusalem on April 15, 2013.

!NEW! Israeli ambassador visits Opel

• Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman meet Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann
• Israel plays important role in the Opel export offensive 

Israeli Ambassador in Germany Yakov Hadas-Handelsman (left) and Opel CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann

The Israeli Ambassador in the Federal Republic of Germany, Yakov Hadas-Handelsman has met yesterday to exchange information with the Opel CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, as well as the Opel Vice President of Public Policy, Joachim Koschnicke. The focus of the talks was the commitment of Opel in the Israeli automobile market. The Ambassador was accompanied by the director of the Israel Trade Center, Hemdat Sagi.

The Ambassador also briefed about the company's strategy for sustainable mobility. This included a test drive the Ampera, the first fully electric vehicle for everyday use on the European market. Was rounded off the visit with a tour of the Rüsselsheim car production and the Opel classic car collection.

Israel is in the Opel export drive has an important place. Already in 2011, Opel has multiplied together with the new importer of Israeli Shlomo Group, the Opel brand in the Israeli market and reorganized the sales from the previous year. In 2012 already around 5,000 new vehicles were sold to Israel. The Opel models are marketed in Israel so far in seven locations, an eighth location was opened in April in Jerusalem.