3.6.2005
Portugal: Opel again leads the market in May

Opel achieved the number one position in the Portuguese passenger car market in May, outselling its most direct competitors, Renault and Peugeot. With a market share of 15.35%, Opel set a solid growth of 1pp (volume up 10.5%) compared to the same month of last year. Opel repeatedly achieved the highest market share growth among the entire industry in Portugal.

On a cumulative basis, the brand's share went up from 9.66% in the January-May period of 2004, to 12.45% this year. Volume growth reached 32.7% while the overall increase of the passenger car market that was just 2.9%.

Since the introduction of the Astra in April 2004, Opel is steadily growing its market share in Portugal. The launch of the GTC and the highly praised 1.3 CDTI 90 hp engine boosted sales even stronger. The Astra 1.3 CDTI, which was introduced in early May, is expected to further extend the success story in Portugal.

Other recent launches, such as the new Tigra 1.3 CDTI and the new Meriva 1.3 CDTI, are important for Opel's ongoing sales increase. Corsa still plays a key role in its segment.

Opel is currently number two in the Portuguese passenger car market behind Renault and ahead of Peugeot, Citroen, Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota. It is the second time this year that Opel leads the passenger car market on a monthly basis.