Opel denies having any "cheat" programs within any of it's products, as the VW scandal widens.

Opel emphatically rebuts the claims of the German Environmental Relief. We would once again like to emphasize the following, valid for all our cars: GM developed software has no features that detect whether the vehicle is undergoing an exhaust emissions test.

The results of the alleged Zafira test conducted by the German Environmental Relief (DUH) are not comprehendible. It is not fair that the German Environmental Relief makes assertions but did not disclose the alleged results, despite us asking for them on multiple occasions.

After receiving the communication from the German Environmental Relief, our engineers immediately put a corresponding vehicle (a Zafira with a 1.6-liter Euro 6 diesel engine) on the test bench and conducted and protocolled additional tests in accordance with the regulations – both on a two-roller and a four-roller test bench. 

The result: the values comply with the legal limits both for testing on two-wheel or four-wheel setups. This is the only result to be expected, as it has no influence on the emission systems whether or not the rear wheels are in motion. This means: The allegations are clearly false and unfounded.

An approach, as implied by the German Environmental Relief, would contradict our integrity, our values and the work of our engineers. We are committed to the reliable compliance with exhaust emissions thresholds in all our vehicles. We have clear global processes that ensure that our products meet all exhaust emission standards in the markets they are sold in.

Vauxhall brings back it's own scrappage scheme, to give buyers of older cars a cash boost.

• £2,000 Scrappage Allowance available across most Vauxhall passenger cars
• Cars of any age and from any manufacturer are eligible
• Option of combining scrappage with Vauxhall’s other great finance offers

Vauxhall has re-launched its Scrappage Allowance scheme, which means customers can take advantage of a £2,000 (including VAT) scrappage trade-in against most new passenger cars in its range.

To qualify for the scheme, customers must have owned their trade-in vehicle for a minimum of 90 days. There is no upper age limit for cars and any manufacturer’s vehicle will be accepted.

Customers can combine scrappage with Vauxhall’s other great offers including Flexible Finance, Flexible PCP and a free insurance offer. For example, young drivers could take advantage of £99 insurance (18 to 20 year olds) for one year’s insurance on both ADAM SLAM and Corsa Limited Edition, while those aged 21 and over could get one year’s free insurance.

This means that a 21-year old customer participating in scrappage, could receive £1,190 finance deposit contribution and pay just £193 per month over 36 months for a Corsa three-door 1.2-litre Limited Edition, which includes one year’s free insurance and one year’s free OnStar and 4G Wi-Fi*.

“Vauxhall’s Scrappage Allowance scheme makes buying a new car even more affordable,” said Leon Caruso, Vauxhall's Retail Sales Director. “Even customers who think that their current car is only worth a few pounds can now turn it into a £2,000 contribution towards the cost of a new Vauxhall – and that’s over and above any other deals they negotiate with the retailer, including free insurance on ADAM SLAM and Corsa Limited Edition.”

As part of the scheme, vehicles must be traded-in and scrapped to be eligible for the allowance.  All surrendered vehicles will be handled by Vauxhall’s official contracted end of life vehicle partner Autogreen through their online platform 

www.rewardingrecycling.co.uk. 

The offer is available across Vauxhall’s passenger car range excluding VIVA, Corsa Sting and Sting R and ADAM JAM. The Scrappage Allowance scheme is available at participating Vauxhall retailers. Terms and conditions apply.

*On selected models only. OnStar is a comprehensive package, which includes a high-speed 4G Wi-Fi mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle recovery technology.

Vauxhall takes the #1 spot for retails sales in September with a nice hefty growth over 2014.

Vauxhall sold more cars and vans to retail customers in the crucial plate-change month of September than any other manufacturer, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The Luton-based manufacturer sold 43,848 cars last month, an impressive 6.49 per cent increase on September 2014. It’s the first time Vauxhall has been number one for retail buyers in a plate-change month since electronic records began in 1996. Mokka and Zafira Tourer were also number one in their respective segments.

Further highlights included the Corsa supermini, Vauxhall’s best-selling model, achieving sales of 15,670, a 25.3 per cent increase on September last year. The Insignia also had a bumper month, leading total sales in its segment.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles also made strong gains in the CV market showing improved sales across its entire van range from January to September this year, making it the number one manufacturer for retail customers.

The van market itself enjoyed strong growth in September with 58,744 light commercial vehicles registered, up 19.5 per cent versus the same month last year.

Vauxhall sold 31,038 LCVs in the nine months to September corresponding to a 10.9 per cent market share and a 37.9 per cent increase on the same period last year.  That was more than double the rate of increase in the market as a whole, which was up 17.4 per cent with 284,161 units registered.  Vauxhall claimed top spot in the retail van charts with 11,425 registrations and an impressive 17.1 per cent market share.

The popular Vivaro, built at Vauxhall’s Luton plant, was the stand-out performer, accounting for an 11.01 per cent share of the retail van market. Overall, 20,231 Vivaro units have been sold year-to-date (compared to 13,411 for the same period last year), an increase of 50.8 per cent. This means there have been more Vivaros sold in the first nine months of 2015 than there were in the whole of 2014.

“September was a great month for Vauxhall with sales results that we can be truly proud of,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Now we focus on finishing the year strongly with New Astra arriving in showrooms this month and OnStar giving us a tremendous lead in the vehicle connectivity arena.”

Vauxhall offers VX360° for all servicing & repairs, 7 will email/text you the video & info on work to be completed.

• See and authorise work on your car, from a computer or mobile device
• Available now as a complimentary extra at participating Vauxhall retailers

Vauxhall is offering servicing you can see for yourself with VX360°, a programme that allows onsite expert technicians to capture on video recommended repair work and share it with owners immediately via mobile and email.

Available now as a complimentary extra at participating retailers, VX360° allows Vauxhall customers to authorise work with complete transparency and confidence.

How VX360° works:

1. The customer books in their car at a participating retailer
2. The retailer shares a film of the customer’s car via email or text, providing details, should there be any urgent or recommended work
3. The customer approves the work at the click of a mouse or by emailing their service advisor

“The innovative VX360° system can be requested free as part of a regular service at participating retailers and enables owners to view exactly what the technician sees, thanks to filmed footage of the customer’s vehicle whilst it is in a workshop,” said Alex Shields, Aftersales Business Operations Manager.

“This places customers in a unique position, where they can view the footage and make the choice about whether they wish to proceed and let workshop teams know immediately, saving both time and hassle.”

VX360° is available with different types of work, such as an MOT, servicing or repairs. Customers can request it on the day or when booking their Vauxhall in over the phone or online. 

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%).

GENEVA - Vauxhall has a lot to be happy about at the 85th Geneva Show.

ONSTAR MAKES EUROPEAN DEBUT AT GENEVA

• Vauxhall OnStar to launch in the UK this year
• Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices
• Emergency response notification if airbags deploy
• Stolen vehicle tracker technology to assist Police
• 24/7 European service centre based in Luton, Beds
• Free trial period: no charge for OnStar and WiFi for 12 months

NEW VIVA JOINS VAUXHALL’S SMALL CAR FAMILY

• Arriving in showrooms in summer priced from £7,995 OTR
• Specially-developed 1.0-litre ECOTEC (75PS) powertrain
• Comfortable and practical with room for up to five people
• IntelliLink connectivity for seamless smartphone integration
• Completes small car family offering unrivalled levels of variety for buyers

VAUXHALL UNLEASHES NEW CORSA VXR AT GENEVA

• 205PS and up to 280Nm from powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine
• 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds; top speed 143mph
• Bespoke Koni dampers with adaptive tech standard
• Performance pack including Drexler LSD available as option
• In UK showrooms from May

ONSTAR MAKES EUROPEAN DEBUT AT GENEVA

• Vauxhall OnStar to launch in the UK this year
• Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices
• Emergency response notification if airbags deploy
• Stolen vehicle tracker technology to assist Police
• 24/7 European service centre based in Luton, Beds
• Free trial period: no charge for OnStar and WiFi for 12 months

Vauxhall will preview OnStar at today’s Geneva Motor Show, showcasing its comprehensive package, which includes a high-speed 4G LTE mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle tracker.   Vauxhall OnStar will be offered on selected Vauxhall passenger cars from October 2015.  The full suite of Vauxhall OnStar services will be provided free for a 12month trial period and thereafter for an annual subscription fee.

Globally, OnStar is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology in the automobile industry. It connects around seven million customers in the United States, Canada, China and Mexico with features including 4G LTE connection, emergency services and smartphone remote control.

Vauxhall/Opel OnStar will be available in the UK from launch, as well as 13 other markets across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The European service centre will be in Luton, Bedfordshire.

“With OnStar, Vauxhall is bringing the latest connectivity technology to a wider audience,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “OnStar will make driving safer as well as offering new innovations in infotainment and telematics. And best of all, the system will be free to customers for the first year of ownership.”

Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices

With OnStar, each Vauxhall becomes a powerful, mobile Wi-Fi hotspot giving access to apps and services that require a high-speed mobile or data connection. Up to seven mobile devices can be connected simultaneously. Passengers will be able to stay in touch with family and friends via social media, play games, stream movies or watch TV via their favourite app or to work while away from the office.

Emergency response and roadside assistance

If an airbag deploys, OnStar will be alerted automatically and an advisor will then contact the vehicle to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, emergency services are immediately sent to the vehicle.

Available 24/7 and 365 days a year, OnStar Advisors are located at the OnStar service centre in Luton. At a push of an SOS button, OnStar users can request assistance whenever they deem it necessary, for example, if they witness an accident. The OnStar buttons will be located in the overhead centre console or the rear-view mirror on some cars.

The new system also includes roadside assistance services making being stranded with a flat tyre or an empty fuel tank a thing of the past. A call to the OnStar team will ensure that users will receive help as quickly as possible.

Remote connection with OnStar smartphone app

Smartphone users will be able to connect to their vehicle remotely with the OnStar smartphone app enabling them to:

• Contact OnStar from anywhere
• Call up important vehicle data such as oil life or tyre pressure
• Remotely lock or unlock the car
• Locate the car online
• Honk the horn and flash the lights
• Quickly download destinations to the in-car navigation system
• Easily manage the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot settings

Rapid vehicle recovery

OnStar will be able to assist vehicle owners and police if a vehicle with the system is stolen. The stolen vehicle assistance will enable OnStar to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the car is recovered quickly and safely and returned to its rightful owner. Remote ignition block will allow OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle that blocks the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Up-to-date with monthly diagnostics

OnStar can also provide subscribers with a monthly vehicle diagnostics email with the most important vehicle data and information. A diagnostics check can be requested at any time at the push of a button, providing peace of mind before setting off on a longer journey.

European customers in complete control

Subscribers will be in complete control of their data and the services they receive. Before the services are activated they will have to agree to the terms and conditions. They will be able to choose whether they want to reveal their current location – at a push of the Privacy Button their position will be masked. However, no matter whether the location is masked/unmasked, OnStar will not be used to monitor its user but will solely offer services. In case of an airbag deployment, OnStar will by default override the mask functionality so that emergency services can be dispatched to the exact location as quickly as possible.

NEW VIVA JOINS VAUXHALL’S SMALL CAR FAMILY

• Arriving in showrooms in summer priced from £7,995 OTR
• Specially-developed 1.0-litre ECOTEC (75PS) powertrain
• Comfortable and practical with room for up to five people
• IntelliLink connectivity for seamless smartphone integration
• Completes small car family offering unrivalled levels of variety for buyers

Vauxhall’s all-new five-door entry-level model VIVA has received its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show today.

Arriving in summer, the VIVA will be the latest addition to Vauxhall’s compact car range, joining ADAM and Corsa. Despite all sitting in the same sector, each model in the Vauxhall small-car family is well defined in terms of its dimensions, design, range-breadth and choice of equipment and powertrains.

The Viva will be priced from £7,995, making it the entry-ticket to Vauxhall ownership. While its range will be considerably smaller than that of the Corsa or ADAM, and only one 1.0-litre engine will be available from launch, the VIVA’s exceptional build quality and packaging will appeal to buyers looking for value, simplicity and a high degree of functionality.

In contrast, the Corsa and ADAM offer a different buying proposition. The New Corsa range starts from £8,995 and has nine different trims and nine engine variants. Even the entry-level Sting model (available in either 3- or 5-door body styles) has a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including: Bluetooth connectivity, 16-inch white alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, heated windscreen, hill start assist and six airbags. It also gets power-assisted steering, cruise control, CD/MP3 CD player/stereo radio and aux-in socket, USB connection with iPod control and six speakers.

Sitting at the top of Vauxhall’s small-car range is the ADAM, priced from £11,445 on-the road. ADAM is aimed at buyers after a stylish and fashionable small car, and one that can be personalised like no other on the market. Over a million trim and engine combinations are available, based around five platforms – JAM, GLAM, SLAM, GRAND SLAM and ROCKS – and five powertrains.

Never before have buyers in the small car sector had so much choice and variety offered by a single manufacturer.

VIVA Design

With a name that pays homage to Vauxhall’s original Viva made from 1963 to 1979, the all-new VIVA shares the original’s philosophy of clean lines, durability and practicality.  It is designed for modern, everyday life and at 3.68 metres long is practical and spacious providing more than enough room for up to five people.

VIVA is the latest model in the range to display Vauxhall’s sculptured, precise design philosophy. Three strong feature lines swoop down the sides with the signature ‘blade’, seen previously on Insignia and GTC among others, slicing through the doors. The two others run through the front and rear door handles. The VIVA’s front end features a distinctive winged chrome bar that presents the Griffin badge.

VIVA will be available in ten exterior paint colours with a variety of 14- to 16-inch wheels.

VIVA Powertrain and Chassis

After first appearing in the ADAM ROCKS AIR and subsequently the New Corsa, VIVA is the latest Vauxhall to feature its new 1.0-litre three-cylinder ECOTEC engine.  Specially-developed for VIVA, this 75PS powertrain is smooth, punchy and efficient, and is mated to a slick five-speed transmission. When equipped with an optional ecoFLEX package, consisting of a front spoiler lip and roof spoiler and low rolling resistance tyres, VIVA achieves 99g/km and 66mpg combined.

VIVA’s chassis and steering have been developed to provide exceptional safety and class-leading comfort.

VIVA Equipment and Practicality

Like its stablemates ADAM and Corsa, VIVA is fully-connected thanks to the IntelliLink infotainment system, which allows seamless integration of Apple iOS and Android devices.

It’s also equipped with ESP featuring traction control, ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Hill Start Assist, which prevents the car from rolling back when starting on a slope.  Further safety options can be selected including Lane Departure Warning.

Another feature that VIVA shares with ADAM and Corsa is City mode which reduces steering effort at the push of a button. Park Assist alerts the driver to obstacles whilst parking plus there’s optional cruise control, sunroof, fog lights, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

“Short, crisp and full of character, Vauxhall’s new entry-level model is a proper small car and will hold great appeal in this rapidly growing sector,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “On sale later this year at an extremely attractive price point, VIVA joins new Corsa and ADAM in a compelling small car portfolio, giving Vauxhall an unrivalled position in the small car market.”

VAUXHALL UNLEASHES NEW CORSA VXR AT GENEVA

• 205PS and up to 280Nm from powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine
• 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds; top speed 143mph
• Bespoke Koni dampers with adaptive tech standard
• Performance pack including Drexler LSD available as option
• In UK showrooms from May

Vauxhall has revealed the new Corsa VXR, its ultra-powerful small hot-hatch, at the Geneva Motor Show today.

Benefiting from the significant revisions in technology, interior/exterior design and chassis showcased in the recently launched New Corsa, the VXR is set to raise the bar for small, fast hatchbacks when it appears in UK showrooms in May.

Headline performance figures are 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 143mph – quicker than the outgoing car, but more importantly the VXR produces its 245Nm of torque from lower revs (between 1,900rpm and 5,800rpm, compared with 2,250rpm to 5,500rpm for the outgoing Nürburgring and ClubSport models). This makes the VXR a potent performer between 50-75mph, which it can dispatch in just 6.6 seconds in fifth gear.

An overboost facility provides an additional 35Nm of torque, ideal for swift and safe overtaking. Maximum power from its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is 205PS, while the Corsa VXR achieves 37.7mpg on the combined cycle with C02 emissions of 174g/km.

As before, power is delivered to the front wheels via a second-generation six-speed transmission with a short, fluid gearchange.

Vauxhall has worked closely with damper-supplier, Koni, to develop a new technology, known as Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) for the new Corsa VXR. FSD allows damping forces to adapt to the car’s movements, ensuring that body control is maintained when the car is driven fast, but ride quality is optimised at lower speeds. In addition, the car’s ride height has been lowered by 10mm all round.

For the first time, Vauxhall is offering a two-stage switchable electronic stability programme (ESP) and traction control (TC) with the Corsa VXR. In Competition Mode the traction control is inactive, while the ESP is relaxed to allow less intervention. For track use, the ESP can be fully disabled.

Revisions have been made to the new Corsa VXR’s steering, making it more direct and precise, with improved feedback through the wheel. Michelin 215/45 R17 tyres are standard, as are 308mm front brake discs.

Standard bi-xenon lighting and a choice of six exterior colours help the new Corsa VXR stand out in its class. An aggressive new front-end design features large air intakes and an aluminium-framed opening below the headlights. A small scoop is located below the bonnet and side-sill extensions enhance the Corsa VXR’s performance credentials still further. At the rear, a rear spoiler provides meaningful downforce over the back axle, and twin Remus exhaust pipes further distinguish it from regular Corsas.

Six exterior colours – including Flash Blue, which is unique to the Corsa VXR – are available for the Corsa VXR. The car’s cabin has standard Recaro seats, a leather, flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports pedals, as well as a VXR gear-lever and instruments. A heated front windscreen and Intellilink connectivity for Apple iOS and Android smartphones are also standard.

Performance Package

For Corsa VXR customers keen to enhance their car’s dynamics still further, Vauxhall is offering an optional Performance Package, which includes certain features previously seen in the outgoing Nürburgring and ClubSport models. Highlights include a Drexler limited-slip differential, larger 330mm-diameter Brembo front brake discs, 18-inch alloy wheels and more focused FSD damper settings.