“The Reason for our Success? Our Cars.”

* Opel press conference kicks off Geneva Motor Show
* Nick Reilly and Dan Akerson optimistic about future
* Katie Melua drives the electric Ampera on stage
* Tourer Concept hints at next Zafira generation

Genf/Rüsselsheim. Opel Chairman Nick Reilly opened the Rüsselsheim automaker’s exhibit at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 – 13) with an optimistic look at the year 2011. At a press conference at the Opel booth with Dan Akerson, Chairman and CEO of General Motors, Reilly said he was pleased with the company’s strong progress last year. He pointed to the fact that Opel is one of the few volume manufacturers that was able to increase its market share in an overall weak European market in 2010. Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall increased market share in 18 out of 27 European countries, including the , , and . And on the German home market in late 2010 and early 2011 there was a clear sustained upwards trend.

“The reason for our success is clear: our products,” said Nick Reilly. “We continued to invest in product development, innovation and technology, even in times where it was financially challenging to keep this up. And this is paying off now.”

During the press conference Dan Akerson underlined the important position Opel has within General Motors: “Opel’s outstanding technological expertise plays a vital role in our global product portfolio.” He added that the vehicle architectures developed in are an important factor in GM’s success.

Akerson: “GM stands by Europe, by the Opel brand, by the employees and of course by our current and future customers.”

Together with Opel ambassador Katie Melua, Dan Akerson and Nick Reilly presented the series production version of the Opel Ampera electric vehicle. The British singer drove the extended-range electric vehicle on stage at the show, where it made its world premiere. First deliveries of the Ampera will be made before the end of this year. With this, Opel makes good on its promise to be the first manufacturer to make this highly innovative technology available in . Opel’s Lifetime Warranty also applies to the Ampera, and includes eight years and 160,000 kilometers for the battery system. Around 3,000 potential Ampera buyers have already registered on the Opel website.

Fair visitors will also get a glimpse into the future of Opel’s next-generation Zafira: The Zafira Tourer Concept brings on-board flexibility to a new level of sophistication and comfort, showcasing how an elegant Lounge On Wheels could look. It was announced at the press conference that the Zafira Tourer will be added to Opel’s line-up in the monocab segment in the future.

More of Opel’s future as a leader in sustainable mobility will also be displayed in with the latest low-emission ecoFLEX models. Entering the market in early 2011, the re-worked Corsa and Antara will also be featured at the Opel booth.