11.9. 2002
Opel/Vauxhall firmly established in the light commercial vehicle sector

Opel/Vauxhall now offers a complete and unique range of light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5 tons. The modern and innovative fleet covers the entire range of commercial and private customer transportation needs: from pure cargo hauling to passenger/materials carrying, to professional passenger bus transport.

Opel/Vauxhall began the complete revision of its commercial vehicle product line in 1999 with the Movano. With the Movano, Opel/Vauxhall returned to the 2.8 to 3.5 ton class after having been absent from this sector for a number of years. The Vivaro, covering the 2.6 to 2.9 ton segment was launched in the summer of 2001. Followed by the introduction of the Combo, the smallest and newest in the series, the fleet is complete. This diverse new product range combines extremely low operating costs with exemplary functionality and driving comfort comparable to that experienced in passenger cars.

Opel/Vauxhall was also able to buck the market trend in the segment this year, reporting a significant increase in sales of light commercial vehicles of up to 3.5 tons. Registrations of LCV's in Germany rose by 86 percent during the first half of 2002 (January-July), as compared to the prior year. Sales in Europe increased by 54 percent.

Opel's light commercial vehicle market share in Germany rose from 2.9 percent during the first six months of 2001 to 5.5 percent during the same period of 2002. In contrast, the overall Opel-relevant market contracted by 2.6 percent in the January-June 2002 period. In Europe, Opel/Vauxhall's market share rose from 3.6 percent to 5.6 percent a market that shrank by 3.8 percent.

These sales gains are particularly noteworthy in view of the fact that only 70 percent of the planned commercial vehicle portfolio has been available to date. This line of Opel/Vauxhall model versions should grow to 90 percent of the planned portfolio by the end of 2003.

Opel will showcase its range of commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tons at the 59th International Motor Show Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany September 12–19, 2002 at the Opel stand in Hall 12. Show highlights will be the world premiere of the exclusive Vivaro "Business" luxury bus, the economical and environmentally friendly Astra station wagon 1.6 CNG. In addition, attendees will view the Vivaro "Life", the study of a versatile leisure van, which marks the start of a cooperation between Opel and "Westfalia Van Conversion" based in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany.