SPAIN/WORLDWIDE - OPEL SALES JUNE - Growth in many segments continues for the German marque.

• In June sales increased 9% in Europe and 25% in Spain.
• In the first quarter have increased by 3% in Europe, exceeding 18% in Spain.
• Increase registrations in 20 European countries.

Opel maintained its good performance in the European market: according to preliminary figures from June, new car registrations have increased by more than 9,800 units for the month of June last year - an increase of 9% , a total of 118,600 units. The market share recorded in this past month was 6.35%. 

The result of Opel in the first six months of this year is also positive. Between January and June 2015, the German manufacturer has sold 582 300 vehicles, representing an increase of 3%, or 18,400 units more than in the same period of 2014. With these figures has achieved a market share of 5 9% slightly better than in the first half of last year.

In Spain, during the month of June, Opel has enrolled a total of 10,201 units, querepresenta an increase of 25.2% over the same month of 2014. These sales represented a market share of 7.93% market share Total Spanish (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) and Opel has risen to fourth in the ranking of sales. 

In the car market, Opel sales were of 9,701 units, which represents a share of 8.7% and an increase of 23.1% compared to June last year. For models, the Zafira has been boosted to the first position in its segment, while the Meriva keeps the second position and the compact SUV Mokka reaches the quarter with an increase of 340% higher sales.

"The increase in volume in more than 20 European markets in the first six months of this year shows that our customers like models. The new Opel KARL, which already have more than 30,000 orders, the personal service of connectivity and OnStar assistance and the new Opel Astra will give us new impetus for further growth, "said Peter Christian Küspert, VP of Sales and Aftermarket Group Opel.

In the first half of 2015, Opel has registered sales increases in more than 20 European markets, including Germany (+ 2%), the UK (+ 4%), France (+ 7%), Spain (+ 18%), Italy (+ 17%), Portugal (+ 21%), Poland (+ 20%) and Turkey (+ 36%). The German brand has also increased its market share in more than 13 markets.Countries where more has increased its participation have been in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Macedonia Poland.

During the month of June, Opel has been the best-selling brand in the passenger car market in Hungary, with a market share of 11.3%. It has also achieved the second position in Austria (7.57%) and the Netherlands (8.1%). In addition, the British subsidiary Vauxhall was the second best-selling brand in England during this month (11.66% share) and in the first half of this year (10.35%).

In Spain, during the first six months of this year, Opel has enrolled a total of 47 057 units, representing an increase of 18% from the first half of 2014 and a market share of 7.31%. The brand remains in third all passenger car sales with 44,247 registrations place and a market share of 8.0%. The Insignia and Meriva models occupy second place in their respective segments, while the Zafira and Corsa reach the third position and reached the fifth Mokka, having increased its sales by 180% over the previous year.

Also in Europe the Mokka is registering very good figures, with sales have increased by more than 20,000 units, or 28%, while Corsa registrations grew by more than 18,000 units, or 12% and ADAM, which It is growing by more than 2,500 units or 9%.

Likewise, Opel is achieving very good results in the market for light commercial vehicles during the first half of the year. Registrations are up 25% to 51,000 units in Europe. The market share has increased by 0.56 percentage points and now stands at 4.03%. The three ranges of commercial vehicles have experienced an increase in volume in the head Movano (+ 34%), followed by Vivaro (+ 27%) and the Combo (+ 15%).

Vauxhall/Opel Ampera to be dumped amid a lack of sales throughout Europe.

Opel will discontinue the Ampera, the slow-selling rebadged version of the Volt made by General Motors sister brand Chevrolet, after the redesign of the 2016 Volt, according to two people familiar with the company's plans.

GM is slated to launch its next-generation Volt during the second half of next year.

Despite sharing European Car of the Year honors with the Volt in 2012, the Ampera has been a commercial flop since its launch that year.

In 2013, sales sank 40 percent to 3,184 cars. They've decelerated further this year, plunging 67 percent through the first five months, to 332 cars.

In Germany, Opel's home market, just 46 Amperas were sold in the first half of this year. Ferrari has sold nearly twice as many F12s in Germany -- 83 -- during the same period, according to data from the German motor transport authority (KBA).

The Volt and Ampera differ only in styling. The Ampera has a bolder front fascia and a rear-bumper cutout.

GM foreshadowed the Ampera's demise in spring 2013, when then-Vice Chairman Steve Girsky, who remains a GM director, expressed frustration about the car's lukewarm reception in Europe.

"All the governments in Europe said, 'We want EVs, we want EVs,'" Girsky said on the sidelines of the Geneva auto show that year. "We show up with one, and where is everybody?"

A GM spokesman declined to discuss future product plans.

Douglas A. Bolduc contributed to this report

Mike Colias 

Vauxhall/Opel plans 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018.

• Market share in Europe to increase to 8 percent by 2022
• EBIT margin of 5 percent targeted
• 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018

Opel has presented an update of its DRIVE!2022 strategy. The company has set itself five strategic objectives. By 2022, Opel and Vauxhall are aiming for 8 percent market share in Europe, with the focus on profitable growth. The profit margin (earnings before interest and taxes – EBIT) is targeted to reach 5 percent. At the same time, the company plans to further enhance the quality of its products as well as the satisfaction of its customers and employees.

Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann: “In the past months Opel’s management team has worked hard on advancing the DRIVE!2022 initiative. The catalogue of strategic targets presented here today is the result of our efforts. We have already made the preparations for implementing the plan step by step. We have the full backing of our parent company General Motors.”

Opel is focusing on three strategic priorities: models, brands and an improved market penetration. The model and engine offensive is continuing at a fast pace. A total of 27 new models and 17 engines are planned for the years 2014 through 2018.

The second strategic priority is the strengthening of Opel’s image as an emotional, approachable and German brand. The values are brought across by such factors as technical innovations, German engineering skills, and good value for money. Technical innovations, for instance, are exemplified by OnStar, the next stage of vehicle connectivity that will turn the automobile into a Wi-Fi hotspot starting in 2015.

Market share and growth targets represent the third priority. By 2022, Opel plans to increase its market share in Germany from 7.2 to 10 percent. In Europe (including Russia and Turkey), the company aims to raise its market share from a current 5.8 to 8 percent. By 2022, Opel plans to become the number two in the European passenger car market together with its British sister brand Vauxhall.

Opel announced the DRIVE!2022 ten-year plan for the first time in summer 2012. In 2013, the company had already made substantial operational progress, cutting its losses in Europe by more than half. Opel expects 2014 to be a challenging year. On the one hand, the company continues to improve its operational business. On the other hand, non-recurring costs such as the closure of the plant in Bochum and volatile currencies will put pressure on earnings. Opel plans to return to profitability by mid-decade thanks to a number of measures, including lower product and structural costs, improved capacity utilization of plants, higher sales revenues and the improved brand profile.

The Vauxhall big event returns to encourage people to buy their cars, WHY !?!?

• The Big Event for new Vauxhall cars and vans runs 16^th to 19^th May
• £500-worth of free fuel with all vehicles sold*
• Available in addition to a range of market-leading finance offers
• 20% off all Vauxhall accessories

Vauxhall retailers nationwide are hosting The Big Event, on the weekend of Friday 16^th May to Monday 19^th May, where new car and van customers get £500-worth of free fuel with all purchases.

And if that wasn't enough, Vauxhall is also offering a range of market-leading finance offers in addition to the Big Event offer.

For example, customers can benefit from up to five years 0% APR Flexible Finance and up to £2,000 Vauxhall deposit contribution – with no deposit required by you.

The free fuel offer is even available on hot Vauxhall newcomers including the full-size Cascada convertible, the fashionable ADAM and the Mokka compact SUV.

Vauxhall’s £500 free fuel is in addition to its other great offers including 0% APR Flexible Finance. Flexible Finance allows customers to tailor their finance to suit their budgets, putting them in the very best car they can afford.

All customers have to do is choose and specify their new model at www.vauxhall.co.uk, decide on a deposit, which can be from zero upwards and select any term between 24 and 60 months. In most cases, Vauxhall will even add a deposit contribution of up to £2,000.

Customers can also take advantage of a 2.9% APR representative Flexible Personal Contract Purchase Plan (PCP), available on ADAM at just £99 per month and Mokka at £199 per month.  

There’s even a newly-launched 0% APR PCP that makes Vauxhall’s top-selling Corsa even more affordable starting at just £179 per month with a £179 deposit, with one year’s free insurance on either a Corsa Excite or Limited Edition model.

As well as passenger cars, the offer is also open to commercial vehicle customers across Vauxhall’s multi-award winning van range including Corsavan, Combo, Vivaro and Movano.

Big Event customers can also get 20% off all Vauxhall Accessories including a vast array of equipment including sat-navs, iPhone/iPad cradles and cargo liners.

“Vauxhall’s Big Event gives customers the opportunity to take advantage of a range of fantastic offers and incentives, from helping to cut costs at the fuel pumps to discounts on accessories,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Vauxhall customers can make big savings on new cars and vans including new-to-market models such as Cascada, ADAM and Mokka.”

All new Vauxhall models offer peace of mind long after their purchase, thanks to the manufacturer’s industry-leading Lifetime Warranty. Available to the first owner of all new Vauxhall cars, the warranty is valid for the lifetime of the vehicle up to a maximum of 100,000 miles.

*£500 including VAT Free Fuel offer applies to car and commercial vehicle orders from 16^th to 19^th May 2014, which are then registered by 30 June 2014. Exclusions, terms and conditions apply. Refer towww.vauxhall.co.uk/offers for more details.

Next Chevrolet Volt to Offer Cheaper Entry Price.

When the next Chevrolet Volt arrives for the 2016 model year, it will be available in a lower-priced trim that comes with a smaller battery pack. According to a report from Reuters, the second-generation Volt is set to start production at General Motors' Detroit Hamtramck plant in about 16 months.

The new entry level model, expected to cost just over $30,000, will come with a reduced driving range of less than 300 miles. It will be available in addition to the standard Volt, which can drive for 380 miles and costs around $35,000. According to suppliers, the new Volt will also share its underpinnings with the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze, presumably to take advantage of economies of scale.

Introduced for the 2011 model year, the Chevrolet Volt has not lived up to its sales expectations. Only 23,094 Volts were sold last year, and this has been on the decline ever since. Recently, the Volt has been losing out against its chief rival, the Nissan Leaf, which has seen its base price plummet to $29,000.

Plug-in cars currently make up less than 1 percent of the auto market, but this may change as cars like the Chevrolet Volt become more accessible to the masses.

REPORT HERE

Vauxhall extends range on Government funding offer.

Vauxhall customers can now benefit from free installation of a home charging unit for their cutting-edge Ampera extended-range electric vehicles.

Yesterday, the Government announced funding for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) where they will cover 75 per cent of costs for home charging unit installations up to a maximum of £1,000 including VAT. Vauxhall will meet the remaining 25 per cent on the same basis for new retail customers taking up the offer.

The Government’s £37 million package of benefits also includes additional measures for local authorities to install on-street charging posts and rapid chargers. Train operators can also claim for charge point installations at railway stations for EV commuters.

“We fully support the Government’s announcement and are very happy to meet the remaining home charging installation costs for Ampera customers,” said Ian Allen, Vauxhall’s Environmental Strategy Manager and Chairman of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Electric Vehicle Committee. “Vauxhall welcomes a nationwide plan as it means all Ampera drivers will have the cost of their home charging solution covered, not just those who live in certain geographical areas.”

The Government’s announcement is great news for Vauxhall and its revolutionary Ampera. Arriving in UK showrooms last year, Ampera has a real-world battery range of between 25-50 miles, after which a small range-extender motor intervenes to provide up to an additional 300-plus mile range. At all times, the Ampera’s wheels are electrically driven, setting it apart from conventional hybrid vehicles.

Ampera pricing starts at £29,995 on-the-road (including £5,000 government grant) for the Earth model. The car is available through a network of 24 specialist Vauxhall dealers and is covered by the manufacturer’s industry-leading Lifetime Warranty.

Pioneering customers are also given further peace of mind thanks to the Love It or Return It campaign available on Ampera whereby if purchasers find that within the first 30 days/1500 miles of ownership Ampera isn't right for them after all, they can return it to Vauxhall.

The revolutionary vehicle is also offered on the 3-Day Test Drive programme through which company car drivers can test a Vauxhall for three days, without paying a penny more than the electricity and/or the fuel used.