Bryan Nesbitt, Executive Director Design, GM Europe:
"With the Antara, we've translated the GTC concept's exciting design language into a five-door, five-seat production crossover with a spacious, versatile interior."

Alain Visser, Executive Director, European Opel Marketing:
"With the Antara, we offer a high-quality, dynamic and elegantly designed crossover. We intend to take a leading role in this fiercely competitive market."

Willi Reinheimer, Project Manager Opel Antara:
"The new Antara's 2.0 CDTI produces 150 hp, making it one of the most powerful diesels in this class. Thanks to its propulsion power and low consumption, it suits our modern crossover brilliantly."

Frank Leopold, GME Manager Innovation Advanced Package & Concept Cars:
"Opel's exceptional know-how in full on-board functionality is highlighted in models such as the Signum, Zafira and Meriva. Now with the unique Flex-Fix system in the Antara, Opel showcases this expertise in an innovative exterior feature."



Antara: Full Speed Ahead in a Booming Segment

- Crossover and SUV segment has highest growth rates in Europe
- Opel aims for leading role as European volume brand
- Diverse target groups and equipment versions

Crossover and SUV models are more popular than almost any other vehicle on the European car market. A glance at the registration statistics shows that their share of the total passenger car market has increased from just under 1.9 percent to 6.6 percent over the last ten years. Following sales of around 292,000 in 1997, an estimated 1.2 million units of the trendy all-rounders will be sold in Europe in 2006.

There is no end in sight to this growth. According to Opel marketing experts, while the rate of ascent will decline slightly, versatile crossovers and SUVs will continue to enjoy increasing popularity. This is not only true of models that are designed for heavy-duty off-road use, but also those that feature a sporty, elegant look and cut a fine figure during everyday driving. In five years' time, it is estimated that more than 1.4 million European buyers will choose one of these all-rounders every year - accounting for a 7.4 percent share of the total passenger car market.

The new Opel Antara has everything it needs to spearhead this continuing trend. It is positioned in the mid-size crossover and SUV class, a market segment with particularly strong growth that has long been dominated by non-European brands. Now, Opel plans to become a leading player on this stage, just as the company already did for many years with a similar concept: unveiled in 1991, the Frontera was one of the first SUV models ever and dominated its segment in Western Europe for many years.

Unlike the new Antara, which features a unibody design typical of passenger cars, the Frontera had a ladder frame chassis. In Germany, it was the clear number one for five years. In total, around 285,000 units of the classic robust 4x4 were sold in Europe up to 2003.


Low entry-level price of 26,850 euros

The all-new Antara has everything it takes to rekindle this success. The attractive new Opel crossover is likely to appeal to many of today's 160,000 Frontera owners. Opel is also confident that the Antara will attract many new customers, who will appreciate its special strengths in a competitive environment: innovative, dynamic and expressive design combined with versatile interior, quality mid-size vehicle ambiance, permanent four-wheel drive partnered with sporty, comfortable driving performance, as well as very favorable Antara prices in Germany start at 26,850 euros.

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