25.5.2004
Going East: Opel enters four cars in Shanghai DTM race

Following an invitation by the municipal government of Shanghai, Opel will participate in the DTM one-off non-championship race in Shanghai with three Vectra GTS V8s and one Astra V8 Coupé.

"With our participation in the non-championship race in China, we continue a tradition", says Opel Motorsport Director Volker Strycek. "This touring car series is deeply rooted in Germany. The invitation by the Shanghai government underlines the significance of the DTM, which will become the first international series to race in Shanghai, even before Formula 1."

Chinese fans are already familiar with the DTM through CC TV (Central China TV), which started broadcasting races with this season's second race in Estoril, Portugal.

In the first quarter of 2004, GM Asia Pacific (GMAP) earned $275 million, up from 75 million in the year-ago quarter. At the same time, market share rose from 4.3 to 4.7 percent in the first three months of the current year, led by gains in China and India. The Opel Agila, Astra, Vectra 2.2 and 3.2, Zafira and Omega are sold in China. Last year, the GM China Group sold a record of 386,710 vehicles under its five brands.

Opel's commitment to race in Eastern Asia, underlines the significance of the Asian market for GM.