20.1.2004
GM Poland achieves all-time high market share and P&A sales

In 2003 GM Poland achieved a market share of 9.32%, which is the highest share in the company´s history and 0.8 %-pts above last year.

Strong efforts to exceed previous year´s ratio in the 2nd half of the year were closed with an all-time high monthly share of 13.5% in December, putting OPEL on the 2nd position for the month and the 4th position for the calendar year, catching Toyota during the last days of the year. Additionally, GM Poland achieved all-time high P&A sales despite a deteriorating car parc after a severe year economic recession.

"Growing market share in a growing market gave our wholesale and retail organisation the success they deserve after hard work during four years of recession. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of all our employees we managed to grow our share as well as OPEL´s image ratings at the same time despite strong pricing pressure in view of a deteriorating exchange rate. It was amazing to see our dealers´efforts to overtake Toyota during the last days of the year", says Michael Klaus, Director Sales Marketing & Aftersales of GM Poland.

Poland is considered as one of the biggest growing market in Central and Eastern Europe. Starting from a market volume of close to 400,000 units today, the long term potential is seen similar to the Spanish industry. Poland will join the EU on May 1st, 2004. In preparation for the EU membership the government is taking action on tax and other regulation issues like used car imports. The deteriorating exchange rate, price harmonization and block exemption implementation are further challenges in 2004. Apart from the Astra Classic introduction as well as Astra III launch, a major highlight for the company will be the launch of Chevrolet in late April.