3.2.2006
Another record year for Opel/Vauxhall commercial vehicles

Opel/Vauxhall commercial vehicles from continue to enjoy growing popularity. Last year, sales in Western and Central Europe increased 7.5 percent, from 167,995 in 2004 to 180,582. Just like the sales figures, the market share of 5.5 percent marks a new record for Opel and Vauxhall in Europe.

Overall, sales and market share for Opel/Vauxhall commercial vehicles rose in 14 out of 20 European countries. Top choices were the Combo, with a unit sales increase of around 10 percent, and the Vivaro, with of nearly 12 percent growth.

“This development is just one more reason to be very optimistic for 2006. I am particularly pleased that we have improved not only in single markets, but that our position in the majority of countries has improved -- in some of them quite significantly. I believe that speaks volumes for the quality of our vehicles,” says Alain Visser, Opel Executive Director, European Sales and Marketing.

In the United Kingdom, one of the largest commercial vehicle markets in Europe, sales of Vauxhall models soared to more than 53,000 units, reaching a market share of 13.5 percent. Volume growth was also recorded in Southern and Northern Europe, with a particularly strong improvement in Sweden. There, Opel's commercial vehicle market share climbed 2.2 points to 6 percent. In Belgium, market share reached 8.03 percent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points. In absolute sales, this represents an increase of over 1,400, to almost 6,000 commercial vehicles.