25.2.2004
New Astra press launch off to "Brilliant" start in the UK

UK Journalists are Vauxhall's guests this week at the New Astra's European press launch in St Tropez and the buzz indicates the car is a winner!

"This is the car that will make driving a Vauxhall something special," said Motoring editor Ken Gibson, from The Sun. He also expressed his confidence about new Astra becoming "the UK's best selling car".

Gibson's comments were reinforced by a 9-page special in the newly relaunched What Car? magazine. From a front cover proclaiming "Brilliant New Astra... Better to drive than a Focus, classier than a Golf", to its test-drive verdict: "The Astra goes straight to the top of this highly contested class as the driving benchmark", What Car? leaves no doubt about which car they back.

Other influential magazines and newspapers are due to publish Astra verdicts over the next few weeks and early indications suggest more good news.