Opel Continues to Grow Market Share

- Automaker announces seven consecutive months of market share increases
- Plus 26 percent in May in Europe compared to one year ago
- Meriva and Astra Sports Tourer with especially high increases

Rüsselsheim. In May Opel achieved the seventh consecutive month of market share growth in Europe compared to the corresponding months last year. European market share increased from 5.8 percent in May 2010 to 6.3 percent in May 2011. This reflects a sales increase of nearly 24,000 vehicles or 26.1 percent. In the first five months of 2011, sales jumped by over 55,000 cars or 11.6 percent compared to the same period last year. During this time, market share rose to 6.25 percent compared to 6.0 percent in the same year-ago period. Opel sold a total of 534,000 vehicles from January to May 2011 throughout Europe, while increasing its market share in 23 of 27 European markets.

The Meriva and Astra Sports Tourer are particularly successful, with both taking the number one position in their vehicle segment. The popularity of the Meriva is giving the Zaragoza plant a swift production milestone. Even though it has been on the market for less than one year, this week the 150,000th newest-generation Meriva will already roll off the assembly line in Zaragoza.

Opel increases sales in Germany by 38 percent in May

Opel substantially increased sales on its home market in May: sales were 38 percent higher than in May 2010 while market share reached 8.1 percent. In the first five months of this year, Opel sales rose over 23 percent compared to the same time last year, while market share was 7.65 percent (last year: 7.1 percent).

Alain Visser, Opel Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, underlines two important positive factors in Opel’s market development: “Our sales numbers show a long-term, stable, upwards trend. And we are not only growing because of the improved economic environment, we are also continuously improving our market shares compared to our competitors. Only very few manufacturers have managed this in the past months. It shows that our new cars fully meet our customers’ demands and requirements.”