16.10.2003
New Movano continues LCV success story

The Opel/Vauxhall Combo, Vivaro and Movano lines have firmly established the company in the light commercial vehicle segment. The new Movano debuts in Amsterdam at the RAI European Road Transport Show October 17-25, 2003.

Last year, Opel/Vauxhall substantially exceeded their 2001 LCV volume in Western and Central Europe, registering over 112,000 units, compared to 79,500 in 2001. In addition, some of the light commercial vehicles sold were actually registered as passenger cars, resulting in a total number of commercial vehicle sales of more than 125,000 units.

In an overall shrinking commercial vehicles market, this positive growth has carried over into this year. Opel/Vauxhall's Western and Central European CV market share increased to almost 5.9 percent for the January-September period (a 26,4 percent volume increase), compared to 4,8 percent for the full year 2002, and 3,3 percent for 2001.

In September 2003 alone, almost 13,500 new Opel/Vauxhall light commercial vehicles were registered in Western and Central Europe, representing a 35 percent volume increase from the same period last year (and a 6.7 percent market share in September 2003 versus a 5.2 percent market share in September 2002). In Western and Central Europe, Opel/Vauxhall is looking back at 23 consecutive months of year-over-year commercial vehicles market share gains.

The introduction of the new Movano is poised to write another chapter in Opel/Vauxhall's success story.

The Movano features a wider selection of models in the 2.8 or 3.5 gross vehicle weight class, two new powerful 2.5- and 3.0-liter (100 and 136 hp) common rail turbo diesels, and an improved chassis and brake system that employs next-generation ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assistant technology.

Well supported by positive LCV sales results, Opel/Vauxhall continues to expand its other utility vehicle lines. Starting October, the new Vivaro Tour comfort bus is being added to the range. The multifunctional Vivaro Life leisure van, built in cooperation with Westfalia, breathes new life into the commercial vehicle segment in Europe. The versatile Combo line, which has also contributed greatly to Opel/Vauxhall's commercial vehicle success, now presents the five-seat Combo Tour for family and leisure in a bold, new design.