The preliminary figures show that, despite the challenging conditions, Opel sales stayed at around the million mark, at 1.064 million vehicles. Along with sister brand Vauxhall in the UK, Opel achieved a market share of 5.61% in the European total vehicle market compared to 5.59% the year before. This is the first year-on-year growth in market share for the brand in 14 years.

‘Our new models ADAM, Cascada and Mokka in particular contributed to this improvement, in spite of an overall difficult market environment. We have already received 62,000 orders for the ADAM and 177,000 for the Mokka,’ said Peter Christian Küspert, member of the management board, sales and aftersales.

As a result, Opel/Vauxhall increased its market share in 11 countries year-on-year, including core markets such as Germany, the UK and Spain, as well as the growth markets Turkey and Russia. In the German passenger car market, Opel increased its market share according to the Kraftfahrtbundesamt (Federal Office for Motor Vehicles) to 7.0%, compared to 6.9% one year ago.

The top sellers Astra and Corsa again were among the 10 best-selling models across Europe in 2013, reaching positions seven and eight. The Mokka small SUV entered the market strongly and conquered the second place in its segment for the full year, while the new Insignia was the number two in its segment, not including premium competitors.

In the UK, Opel/Vauxhall’s single largest market, the Insignia and Zafira finished number one and Corsa, Astra and Mokka number two in their respective segments.

In Opel’s home market Germany, the Meriva stood out as the bestseller in its segment. The Corsa and Astra beat their direct competitors to second place in their respective segments.

Opel continued to be successful in Hungary where the brand led the passenger car market for the third year in a row. Opel reached the number three position in Austria and Greece and registered the highest market share of the last six years in Spain, reaching 6.98% in the total vehicle market.