A doctor would take care of the situation Opel probably describe it as "on the mend". Over seven percent market share in Germany. After all. However, it is still a long way from the former double-digit figure. But for the first time since 2011, the numbers are better than last year, Rüsselsheim says. It may be that the trend reversal stems from “parking in the head”, Opel's image campaign in which celebrities target common prejudices. However, an ambitious model renewal, technical highlights and, last but not least, the unbridled optimism of the Opel boss should also provide a boost. Karl-Thomas Neumann plans to introduce the OnStar telematics system used by the mother General Motors this year and expand it rapidly across the board.
Opel owners will thus be able to subscribe to a kind of service package, with which it is possible, among other things, to call a concierge and book tickets for the theater or a table in a restaurant. Dealers can also send the customer the date of the next inspection as a message in the car. "We are the first to bring fast hotspots and automatic emergency calls to the car," said Neumann. OnStar should be available for all models. GM in America and Asia has already run several million cars with it. The data is transmitted to us via LTE / 4G.
With “Drive! 2022 “the Opel boss announced his ambitious strategy plan two years ago. The ten-year plan provides for a model offensive worth billions. Adam was the beginning. This spring he was followed by the Corsa. Little brother Karl (his model debuted in Geneva in March) is just starting up. If you add them all up, Opel will have more small cars in its range than ever before. A good starting position. Above all, the three are expected to favor the CO2020 fleet emissions of 2 g / km announced for 95 through higher sales volumes.
The fifth generation of the Astra is at the IAA in Frankfurt, initially as a five-door hatchback. It is up to 120 kilograms lighter, slightly smaller and yet offers more space inside. Opel ends the button war in the cockpit. Customers were bothered by the too many switches and the sometimes confusing operation. More comfort, more safety and less fuel consumption are also promised (entry with three cylinders, standard fuel consumption: 4,8 l / 100 km). In contrast to the competition, however, there is no dual clutch transmission. For this, the developers of the conventional automatic increase the number of gears to eight. The LED matrix light will also debut in the Astra. No other model offers this feature in this vehicle class. Opel calls it "Intellilux".
The Astra Sports Tourer (station wagon) and the sedan followed in 2016. The GTC again has a largely independent body and comes in late 2017, the same year as the Insignia. Opel is currently in the process of giving its flagship some cosmetics and newly developed petrol and diesel engines as part of the MCE (Mid Cycle Enhancement). The successor, however, has to put on weight and weight especially if he no longer wants to follow competitors like VW Passat and Ford Mondeo.
The Antara successor model is also derived from the Astra architecture. According to reports, it should drive significantly more in the crossover direction than continue to play the tough SUV types. The model called CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) is on the schedule for 2016 and will be produced in the course of the cooperation with the PSA group in the French Sochaux plant. The Antara came from Korea. In return, the company's own plant in Zaragoza produces the successor to the B-MPV of both companies. At Opel this is the Meriva. Here, too, the Rüsselsheim company is shifting the segment towards lifestyle. The new Meriva will remain as spacious and versatile as before, just look cooler. The next Zafira, which is expected for 2019, will experience a similar situation. It will also be created in collaboration with the French, who are developing their vans on the same platform. "The alliance between PSA and Opel follows the requirement of balance," emphasizes Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.
Author: Michael Specht / SP-X