According to preliminary figures, the company delivered around 1.076 million vehicles in Europe last year, up 3% and outperforming the overall European market growth of 2%. Opel’s share of the overall European vehicle market was up for the second year running – by 0.1%age points to 5.74%. Opel achieved its best sales figures and market share since 2011.

‘We recorded growth in more than 15 markets. Our modern range of cars managed to impress especially in the most important European markets,’ said Peter Christian Küspert, vice president sales & aftersales Opel Group. Amongst others, Opel grew in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain. Opel booked its largest sales volume increases in Poland (+ 42%), Ireland (+ 33%) and Portugal (+ 28%). The market share grew in more than 12 European countries.

The economic situation in Russia where sales of the entire industry were down considerably in 2014 had a negative impact on the overall result. ‘Russia is one of our most important markets. Opel is obviously suffering from the ruble devaluation and buying resistance. The fact that we managed to increase our sales on a pan-European level in 2014 fuels our optimism for this year. We will definitely not rest on our laurels,’ added Küspert.

Opel added that it will continue its model offensive this year. The new Corsa, which has already been ordered 85,000 times, will be at the dealers later this month. The new entry-level model Karl will follow in the summer and the compact model Astra will arrive at the end of the year.

‘We will be able to offer our customers the best small car portfolio of all time with Karl, Corsa and ADAM. And our bestsellers, Corsa and Astra, which make up 50% of our sales will be renewed,’ explained Mr Küspert.

Opel’s large-scale product offensive will see 27 new models and 17 new engines brought to market by 2018 and the company wants to increase its sales figures further in the years to come. The carmaker has targeted a market share of 8% in Europe by 2022.