The carmaker said German brands enjoyed a strong reputation in both regions, with market share increasing steadily over recent years. Opel will be sold using the same German slogan used in Europe, “Wir Leben Autos” (We Love Cars), to underline its origins.

In Australia, the network will comprise 17 dealerships, including sites at every capital of every state and with some of the country’s best-known dealer groups included. Buyers will be offered a range limited to the Corsa, Astra and Insignia, which gives Opel a footprint in the sectors which make up around 80% of the country’s passenger car sales.

Corsa, Astra and Insignia will also be offered in Chile, joined by the Meriva. The first dealership opened in the Avenida Las Condes, in a wealthy part of the Chilean capital city Santiago.

General Motors has already launched Opel in Israel, and said it had plans to expand the brand’s coverage to China, North Africa, the Middle East and Turkey in the near future.