!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! 100,000 Opel Mokka SUV Already Ordered, Now Even More Variety

• Over 100,000 orders have already been received from across Europe
• 1.4 liter Turbo now also with front wheel drive with manual or automatic transmission
• High-end infotainment systems and premium Bose Sound System 

Opel Mokka SUV - New Orange Rock metallic color

The Opel Mokka has become an absolute best seller just seven months after its arrival at dealerships. Opel has received more than 100,000 orders for the trendy sub-compact SUV which is especially popular in Germany, Russia, UK, Italy and France. But the hugely successful Opel model isn’t going to rest on its laurels: the 103 kW/140 hp 1.4 liter Turbo gasoline model is now also available with front wheel drive and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. New infotainment offers and premium Bose sound system ensure a top-class entertainment program. For fresh glamor, new optional design for 19-inch alloy wheels and the trendy Orange Rock metallic color are available.

Opel Mokka SUV - New 19-inch alloy wheels

“The Opel Mokka is a huge success just a few months after its market launch – it is a hit both with customers and trade experts. This is also underlined by the many awards our newcomer has already received, including the All-wheel car of the Year,” says Duncan Aldred, Acting Vice President Sales, Marketing & Aftersales at Opel/Vauxhall. “To keep it headed to the top, we’re making the Mokka even more attractive with new powertrains and high-end infotainment units – and thereby appealing to additional customers”

New inner qualities: Turbo with front wheel drive, infotainment from Bose

The Mokka powertrain portfolio is now expanded by another attractive alternative: while the 1.4 Turbo gasoline unit was initially only available with adaptive all-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission, customers can now order the 103 kW/140 hp Mokka version with front wheel drive and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. With six-speed manual transmission and Start/Stop, the SUV consumes just 5.9 liters gasoline per 100 km and emits only 139 g/km CO₂. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches maximum speed of 193 km/h.

The Mokka’s interior is just as convincing with the new infotainment systems CD 600 with IntelliLink and Navi 950 with IntelliLink. Easy operation of on-board electronics is ensured over a high-resolution, 7-inch color display, where the image from the optional rear camera is also displayed. Bluetooth connectivity for telephoning and audio streaming is also available.

The Navi 950 with IntelliLink comes standard with comprehensive map material, covering all Europe and it can be updated by simple download over the USB port. The premium Bose system provides top-class sound with six loudspeakers, subwoofer and digital amplifier.

Opel Mokka SUV - New Navi 950 with Intellink

The qualities found in the Mokka‘s interior are reflected in its attractive exterior. The muscular Opel SUV is a real eye-catcher with its new Orange Rock metallic color and optional 19-inch alloy wheels in a new five-spoke design.

Convincing attributes: Compact dimensions, extensive everyday utility

The Mokka cuts a fine figure in both urban and extra-urban settings; it meets all daily needs and is ideally suited for sport-filled weekends. With a length of 4.28 meters it offers plenty of room for five occupants and a higher seating position. It makes innovative features from higher vehicle classes available to a larger customer base. These include Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+), ergonomic seats with the  Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) (Campaign for Healthier Backs) seal of quality and the second generation of the integrated FlexFix bicycle carrier – all features the Mokka introduced into this SUV segment.

There is also a host of technologies available that increase driving comfort and safety, including the Electronic Stability Program (ESP^Plus) with Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC), the second-generation Opel Eye front camera with Forward Collision Alert (FCA) as well as enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR II) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). The Mokka can also be equipped with front or All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The 4x4 system recognizes when traction is needed at all four wheels and ensures it is provided at maximum levels.  

Prices for the new front-wheel drive model with the 1.4 liter Turbo gasoline engine and six-speed automatic transmission start at 23.480 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany). A manual transmission version is also offered in most markets.

!NEW! Opel in the first quarter of 2013: Growth in market share in the Czech and Slovak Republic and in All Europe

• Opel begins attack the second position of the European passenger car market
• Progress of orders promises continued strengthening brand position
• Clearly declared support from GM increases client confidence

Opel ADAM 

While the vast majority of "bulk" of competing brands losing their positions Opel in Europe, on the contrary reinforces: During the first quarter in Europe (EU + EFTA) sold 209,000 cars Opel, which makes Opel increased its market share to 6.7% and confirms Already last year, started the campaign for the position of "twos" European passenger car market. "From the fifth place, we have to work through the end of last year through the French competition to the third position - and now literally breathe on his back yet another Ford," says Pavel Šilha, Managing Director Czech and Slovak representation of Opel.

Opel thrive and grow market share in a declining domestic market. "In the Passenger Cars + Light Commercial Vehicles segment during the first quarter we increased market share of 2.41%, an increase of 24% compared to the same period of 2012," says Josef Šopík, sales director of Opel in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. "We are confident that we will maintain this trend in the coming months as each month registering a higher order."

Opel Mokka SUV

The positive results of Opel in the Czech Republic and Europe have the greatest merit attractive models, which recently swelled into production and is now beginning to fully promote the sales statistics. Literally hit as the Opel Mokka compact SUV, which has only a few months after the launch to his credit already over 100,000 orders. "Great attention is also drawn to the extremely adaptable minimodel ADAM ai responses to Cascada convertible promise a decent income," says director Šilha sales results Opel models. "Personally, I much promise from approaching motor coaching - in most of our models appear completely new diesel and gasoline engines, whose parameters are the absolute top of what is today's automotive market to buy!"

It is hard to measure, but in daily contact with customers is quite obvious trend of building confidence in the brand. "A clear declaration of full support for Opel by parent company General Motors coupled with huge investment in the development and production apparently calmed the situation and restore the confidence of clients," says Pavel Šilha. GM two weeks ago announced that in the coming years to invest in Opel model offensive 4 billion Euros , making the German automaker will present in 2016 a total of 23 new models and 13 new engines. And yesterday, GM "throwing" an additional investment of 230 million Euros to build a new testing capabilities in its European design center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and the nearby test track Dudenhofen.

"General Motors needs a strong presence in Europe in the design, development, production and sales - and Opel in this respect is a key factor in our success and has our full support," does not admit any doubt Dan Akerson, chairman and CEO of General Motors.