World Auto News & Reviews

Rsselsheim. For the first time in its history, Opel is providing its award-winning electric cars for the prestigious international Rally Monte Carlo. Six electric Opel Ampera will make their debut in the “Alternative Energy” version of the rally which commences in Annecy-le-Vieux, Clermont-Ferrand and Lugano on March 22 and finishes three days later in the capital of Monaco, Monte Carlo. In order to take part, competing vehicles must have a maximum of 115g/km CO2 emissions. The main aim of the rally is to cover a certain distance, maintain a constant speed and use as little energy as possible. Some 150 vehicles are expected to take part this year.

By entering its electric vehicles with range extending capabilities in the international rally, Opel is once again showing that it is a global leader in the field of e-mobility. “Spectators will have the chance to see our electric cars in action under the challenging conditions the rally has to offer.” says Enno Fuchs, Opel’s Director E-Mobility.

Rsselsheim. Following today’s speculation in the "Handelsblatt" newspaper in which Opel is said to be considering the sale of its Eisenach plant, Opel has issued the following statement:

This speculation is completely baseless and incorrect. There are no plans to sell the Eisenach plant.

Already some 7,000 orders in Europe

2012 sales target of 10,000 units well within reach

Customer deliveries according to plan

Rsselsheim.  Opel has already received some 7,000 orders for its award-winning Ampera electric vehicle. This latest figure even surpasses Opel’s most optimistic expectations for this point in time. Opel is selling more electric cars in Europe than any other manufacturer. “We are extremely pleased with the continuing demand for our Ampera,” says Enno Fuchs, Opel’s e-mobility launch director. “This news shows us that our sales target of 10,000 units for 2012 is well within reach.”

Ampera is “most popular car newcomer in Europe” and winning electric car

Opel wins biggest internet user prize (Carolina) for the third successive year

Rsselsheim/Geneva.  After the start of deliveries to customers, the Opel Ampera has won two prizes in the “10th Internet Auto Award” sponsored by the AutoScout24 website. The Ampera scored an overall victory by winning in the segment “most popular car newcomer in Europe” and in the category “electric vehicles”. Opel’s Director E-mobility Enno Fuchs, received two of the prestigious CAROLINA trophies at a ceremony on the sidelines of the Geneva motor show. “With the revolutionary Ampera, Opel has taken the lead in the area of e-mobility. We are very proud that the Ampera has scooped two awards at this audience-driven competition.” This is the third successive year that Opel has been given an award in the largest internet user contest for the automotive industry. This year, it is AutoScout 24’s tenth time to hand over the internet car award.

Rsselsheim. At the 1937 Berlin Car and Motorcycle Exhibition Opel presents two new models with groundbreaking technology: the Super 6 and the Admiral. Both are equipped with advanced technology. Originally designed as an mid-luxury segment car, the Super 6 has a quiet inline six-cylinder engine with a 2.5 liter displacement and 55 hp output. However, the luxury segment vehicle Admiral has a 3.6 liter six-cylinder power unit with lots of torque and 75 hp of power. Both engines have one feature in common: they are equipped with overhead valves. In the case of the Super 6 and the Admiral, the valves are operated by a camshaft driven by spur gears.

The launch of the new models is just in time for Opel’s 75th anniversary with a bright future ahead of them. The Super 6 vehicle paves the path for the popular Opel “Kapitn” of 1938 which possesses a modern 2.5 liter engine. With the debut of the large Admiral, Opel returns to the luxury vehicle segment and lays the foundation for luxury cars made in Rsselsheim.