Good year for Opel as it records 3 per cent growth

IN spite of the difficult economic environment, 2014 ended on a high for Opel/Vauxhall with the carmaker recording its best sales figures in recent years.

According to preliminary figures, the company delivered around 1.076 million vehicles in Europe last year. This is equivalent to an increase of 35,000 cars or 3 per cent compared to overall growth in the European market of just 2 per cent.

Opel’s share of the overall European vehicle market was up for the second year running – by 0.1 per cent to 5.74 per cent. Opel achieved its best sales figures and market share since 2011.

“We recorded growth in more than 15 markets. Our modern range of cars managed to impress especially in the most important European markets,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group.

Amongst others, Opel grew in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain. Opel booked its largest sales volume increases in Poland (+42 per cent), Ireland (+33 per cent) and Portugal (+28 per cent). The market share grew in more than 12 European countries.

The company is hoping to continue its sales growth this year, and with 85,000 orders for the new Corsa, due for delivery later this month, it has made a good start. The new entry-level model KARL will follow in the summer and the compact model Astra will arrive at the end of the year.

“We will be able to offer our customers the best small car portfolio of all time with KARL, Corsa and ADAM. And our bestsellers, Corsa and Astra, which make up 50 per cent of our sales will be renewed,” explained Küspert.

Opel’s massive investment in development will see 27 new models and 17 new engines brought to market by 2018 and the company wants to increase its sales figures further in the years to come. The carmaker has targeted a market share of 8 per cent in Europe by 2022.