The growing reputation of the Opel brand led to market share gains in the following markets: the Netherlands (from 8.8 to 9.8 percent), Denmark (from 4.4 to 5.5 percent), Ukraine (from 1.3 to 2.3 percent) and Poland (from 8.4 to 9.4 percent). Zafira and Meriva in the first half of 2006 lead the monocab segment in Europe, with Zafira sales (127,000 units) recording a 27 percent sales increase (+ 34,000 units) compared to the first six months of 2005. With the recent introduction of the Astra TwinTop and the up-coming launches of the new Corsa and the new Antara SUV, Opel's product offensive continues. A record sales volume was achieved for Opel/Vauxhall commercial vehicles, selling 98,000, an increase of 2,600 vehicles or 3 percent. Vivaro alone reached record sales of 37,000, an increase of 4,000 vehicles.


Vauxhall's strategy of pursuing the more profitable retail market in the U.K. continued to be a success, with the brand taking an impressive 8.8 percent share of sales to private buyers compared to 7.9 percent in the same period last year. Total market share is also continuing to show positive trends, with a total of 13.2 percent for the year so far, compared to 12.7 percent for the same period in 2005. The success was pushed by a strong performance of Zafira and Meriva, both of which led their segments. Vectra also had a very strong month, especially in the retail sector where it outsold it's closest rival by almost two-to-one.

 

Chevrolet shows strong growth in Southern and Eastern Europe

Chevrolet continued its strong growth across Europe in the first half of the year, with record sales of 160,732* vehicles, an 11.2 percent increase over the same period a year earlier (144,517 vehicles). After 1.33 percent half-way through 2005, Chevrolet's record share of the total European market has now reached 1.42 percent. At the same time, Chevrolet Europe opened its 2000th sales outlet. Russia again performed very well, with sales of 44,760 cars and a market share of 4.9 percent in the first six months of the year. Strong growth was recorded in Italy, where sales were up 23.3 percent, to 20,487 units in the first half of 2006. Chevrolet Spain increased sales by 10.6 percent, to 15,028 vehicles. Chevrolet also achieved outstanding market shares in Greece (2.2 percent), Spain (1.5 percent) and South East Europe (2.5 percent). With the launch of Epica and the diesel-powered compact Captiva SUV, Chevrolet aims to continue its growth offensive in Europe. Chevrolet sold 29,438 vehicles in June 2006, and reached a market share of 1.4 percent.


*This figure includes 19,548 vehicles produced by GM Avtovaz for the Russian market and 546 vehicles of US production.

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