Further growth expected thanks to product offensive
Impressive Jack-of-all-trades: The Corsa is the all-rounder in Opel’s small car portfolio and available with three or five doors.
Opel continued its positive trend in April with the carmaker selling around 92,700 vehicles across Europe – an increase of around 3,600 units or four percent. Opel also increased its European market share by 0.1 percent points to 5.64 percent.
Bestseller: New Opel Corsa has been ordered more than 200,000 times already.
The growth is especially based on a strong performance in Germany. In Opel’s home market, sales were up around seven percent in April. The company had an April market share of 7.26 percent – its highest April market share in the passenger car segment since 2011. Opel also posted improved sales figures, amongst others, in Turkey (+68 percent), Ireland (+42 percent), Greece (+34 percent) and Poland (+24 percent). In total, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker increased its sales volume in 19 countries.
In the period from January to April, Opel sales increased by 3.3 percent whereas the overall European automotive market only grew by 2.6 percent.
The Mokka once again proved to be a popular choice among buyers with sales increasing in April by almost 30 percent. Corsa registrations were also up 20 percent. Opel has already received over 200,000 orders for its small car bestseller. Sales of the light commercial vehicles Vivaro and Movano grew even faster with an increase of 30.5 and 32.5 percent respectively.
“Our sales outperformed the market despite the conditions remaining difficult. This is further proof of the impact our product offensive is having,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group. “We expect further growth from KARL, our mobility and service assistant Opel OnStar and the new Astra that we will present at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.”
Opel is currently in the middle of the biggest product offensive in the history of company. By 2018, the carmaker will bring 27 new models and 17 new engines to market and is targeting considerable growth throughout Europe.
Bodensee Klassik: Opel Kapitäns, Admirals and Diplomats excite spectators
Ready to go: Opel Kapitäns, Admirals and Diplomats at the Bodensee Klassik 2015.
Opel’s presence at the “Rallye of the south for oldtimers and youngtimers”, as the organizers of the Bodensee Klassik describe the event, was impressive this year. Numerous well-known faces took the opportunity to get behind the steering wheels of the cars with the race numbers 66 to 72 with the Opel KAD models mainly powered by mighty V-8 engines.
Eye-catcher: Two Opel Diplomat A V8 Coupés leading the Opel team at the Bodensee Klassik 2015.
The Opel team was led by Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann who reached the finishing line in his very own Diplomat A Coupé. German TV star Tim Wilde took the wheel at the start of the race before handing over to Neumann during the course of the rallye.
“I have always been fascinated by the combination of the timelessly elegant coupé body of the Diplomat and the legendary Chevrolet Small Block V8,” said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “I have been the proud owner of this car for roughly six months now and I am delighted when I get the opportunity to take this icon for a spin.”
The V-8 cruiser with a 5.4-liter, 230 hp engine was built in 1967 and is the last of the exclusive vehicles ever produced by body makers Karmann. A second car of the mini-series of only 347 vehicles also competed with racing legend Joachim Winkelhock at the wheel. Two V-8 Opel Admiral As with 4.6 liter, 190 hp engines, race numbers 68 and 69 and German actor Gesine Cukrowski on board also took to the course through Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Advanced Design Director and passionate Opel GT fan Friedhelm Engler was behind the wheel of a 1969 Opel Kapitän B, mastering the winding roads around Lake Constance with ease.
Stars and cars: Actress Gesine Cukrowski and TV star Tim Wilde driving for Opel.
Last but by no means least a mighty 1976 Diplomat B with a 5.4-liter engine and an unmistakable sound only created by a V-8 rounded off the presence of the KAD models. However, Opel had a further surprise up its sleeve. A small, light Opel Corsa A with race number 72 darted through the field. The Corsa owned by Opel Classic was essentially the speedboat in Opel’s fleet of cruisers and a fitting addition to the old and youngtimer rallye that excited spectators in the Lake Constance region.
Grand final: Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (on right) and deputy editor-in-chief of Auto Bild Klassik, Frank B. Meyer, on stage.
Holden welcomes first AWD turbocharged performance sedan to portfolio
Insignia VXR introduces three Holden firsts - Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Alert and Auto Emergency Braking
Holden Insignia VXR
Holden’s first all-wheel-drive (AWD) turbocharged performance sedan will arrive in Australian dealerships next month, marking the second important instalment in Holden’s new European product onslaught.
Following the exciting launch of Astra and Cascada last month, Holden will welcome the top of the range, sporty Insignia VXR which boasts stunning design, sophisticated technology and European quality all in a true mid-sized performance car.
Built in Ruesselsheim, Germany, Insignia VXR features state-of-the-art AWD technology and sporty performance via a 2.8 litre V6 turbocharged engine which, when partnered with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivers 239kW of power and an impressive 435Nm of torque.
Powerful engine with 239 kW/325 hp and 435 Nm maximum torque
Peter Keley, Executive Director of Sales, said Insignia VXR was an exciting and fitting addition to the Holden range.
“Performance and great to drive have always been part of Holden’s DNA. Add to this a German designed and engineered AWD performance sedan, loaded with equipment, and you have one very exciting vehicle,” Mr Keley said.
“The Holden Insignia VXR is visually stunning with great road presence, exceptional build quality and breathtaking performance, all at an incredibly competitive price.
“This car is sure to make customers who are looking for a true performance mid-size sedan take a serious look at this latest Holden.
“It is further evidence that Holden is serious about our future product strategy. Insignia VXR is a very exciting taste of things to come.”
The vehicle will introduce three new sophisticated technologies to Holden, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Alert and Auto Emergency Braking, which join numerous other premium features such as Adaptive Forward Lighting, Blind Spot Alert and FlexRide Suspension.
Insignia offers three performance settings; Standard, Sport and VXR, allowing drivers to customise the vehicle’s performance features such as responsive accelerator and gear change, sport steering, firmer sports suspension and a greater rear bias AWD setting.
The next generation MyLink infotainment system boasts an eight-inch touch screen display and is complemented by a premium audio system with seven high-quality speakers.
HOLDEN FIRSTS
Adaptive Cruise Control
The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a radar sensor to monitor the distance to the preceding traffic and to maintain a selectable gap and the desired speed by adjusting the speed automatically with engine management and brake intervention.
The vehicle is automatically braked if necessary and restarted by using the accelerator pedal. In combination with ACC, the integrated Forward Collision Alert (FCA) uses the radar sensor of the ACC to detect the vehicle ahead.
Auto Emergency Braking
The Holden Insignia VXR is fitted with state-of-the-art safety features including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).
The safety feature supports the driver in mitigating the severity of some front-end crashes by automatically braking the vehicle for an imminent collision.
AEB may help non-attentive drivers that have not yet taken corrective action, avoid or mitigate crashes with vehicles ahead by automatically applying the brakes. This action reduces pre-impact vehicle speed and thus collision energy.
This feature works in conjunction with Forward Collision Alert and also includes Integrated Brake Assist (IBA), which may activate when drivers begin braking quickly. IBA will assist to avoid or mitigate the severity of the collision by automatically boosting the driver’s braking to the necessary level, based upon the speed of approach and distance to a target ahead, up to the vehicle’s maximum braking effort.
Lane Change Alert
In terms of collisions, any vehicle approaching fast from behind can be highly dangerous especially when a driver is pulling out to overtake or entering a stream of traffic.
Radar with a rearward range of up to 70 metres detects and warns of fast approaching vehicles in either left or right parallel lanes with a visual signal in the respective exterior mirror.
PRODUCT DETAILS Key Features:
2.8 litre V6 turbocharged engine with six-speed automatic transmission
20-inch alloy wheels
Heated Recaro leather-appointed front sports seats
