Auto Channel

Elegant and Roomy Four-Door Sedan for Growing Markets

• Refined technology package for top agility and precise handling
• Central and Eastern Europe: Additional body style for successful Astra range
• Production at Gliwice plant in Poland began on August 23
• Turkey and Russia most important markets with one-third of sales respectively

With the elegant four-door Astra sedan, Opel expands its bestselling Astra range to seven models. The new variant, which had its world premiere at the Istanbul Motor Show in November 2006, complements the five-door hatch, station wagon, three-door GTC, OPC, cabrio-coupé TwinTop and van variants. Based on the station wagon’s long wheelbase, the new Astra sedan boasts great driving dynamics combined with high safety reserves. Its four engines from 90 to 140 horsepower will be an important addition to the line-up, particularly in the strong, thriving markets in Central and Eastern Europe. 67 percent of Turkish customers who purchase a compact class car choose a notchback model. In Russia, this figure is 65 percent. Opel expects to sell about one-third of Astra sedans in Russia and Turkey respectively. A further ten percent each will go to Spain and Southeast Europe. The new Astra sedan is scheduled to be launched this month.

The automotive landscape in Europe is changing rapidly: In just five years, from 2002 to 2007, sales in Central and Eastern Europe have more than doubled. While in 2002, just 2.7 million cars were sold in this region, this figure is expected to rise to more than 5.5 million by the end of the year. Over the same period, GM’s market share has more than doubled from 4.35 percent to 8.9 percent, and with the launch of the new Astra sedan, further share growth is anticipated through years-end.

Overall, the addition of the notchback model will give the highly successful Astra line-up, of which 517,000 were sold across Europe in 2006, a further push in 2008. By the end of calendar year 2007, Opel expects to sell more Astras in Central and Eastern Europe than Germany, pushing this region into second place behind the United Kingdom. With the notchback model riding high in registration statistics, Central and Eastern Europe looks likely to move into number one spot in Astra sales in 2008.

Opel continues a tradition with the new Astra notchback model, as the first two Astra generations were both available with four doors and a large, separate luggage compartment. The first new Astra sedan rolled off the production line on August 23 in Gliwice, Poland – an ideal location to serve the Central and Eastern European markets for which the car has been primarily developed. The predecessor notchback model, Astra Classic, will also continue to be built there.

The new sedan boasts the Astra’s progressive, proportionally balanced design, dynamic lines and characteristic driving dynamics, together with high safety reserves. The new model’s designers adopted the long wheelbase from the station wagon (2703 mm) for generous space in the rear and a large luggage compartment. With a length of 4587 mm and luggage compartment volume of 490 liters, the 1753 mm wide and 1458 mm high four-door sedan is positioned as an upper-end family car.

Powertrain and chassis: Four engines, pronounced agility and high safety reserves

Four state-of-the-art ECOTEC gasoline and diesel engines are available for the four-door Astra: two gasoline engines (1.6-liter/115 hp, 1.8-liter/140 hp) and two diesel engines (1.3-liter/90 hp, 1.7-liter/100 hp). The transmission range includes five-speed and six-speed manual gearboxes, a four-speed automatic, as well as an enhanced automated Easytronic manual transmission.

The Astra offers top agility and precise handling with high levels of driving safety, the basis for which is the IDS chassis (Interactive Driving System) with McPherson front axle and patented torsion-beam rear axle. Standard safety features in all Astra variants include front disc brakes, ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), brake assist as well as Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS). ESPPlus is optionally available with all models.

Equipment highlights: Advanced technology in compact class

The Astra sedan meets the needs of discerning customers with its extensive range of standard equipment. It also offers optional technology highlights from the Astra's extensive equipment range, such as bi-xenon headlamps, Hill Start Assist (HSA), electric heater “Quickheat” and rear Park Pilot.

The new Astra model is available in three equipment lines: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. The Essentia already boasts important safety features as standard, including front and side airbags as well as ABS and ISOFIX child seat fixtures in the rear. Comfortable and practical standard details include central locking, front power windows, height-adjustable driver’s seat and 60:40 split rear bench seat back. The Astra Enjoy offers even more extensive standard equipment, including air conditioning, heated power mirrors, and CD-radio CD 30.

The top-of-the-line Cosmo model boasts additional high-quality equipment features such as 16-inch light alloy wheels, two-color door trim, center console in piano black with matt chrome décor moldings and a leather steering wheel with piano black caps.

Market

• Turkey and Russia: Up to 67 Percent of all Compact Cars are Notchbacks
• Central & Eastern Europe: Market volume has doubled in five years
• After sedan launch, region will be most important market for Astra

The automotive landscape in Europe is changing rapidly: in just five years, from 2002 to 2007, sales volume in Central and Eastern Europe has more than doubled. While just 2.7 million cars were sold in this region in 2002, this figure will rise to more than 5.5 million by the end of this year. Over the same period, GM’s market share has more than doubled from 4.35 percent to 8.9 percent, and with the launch of the new Astra sedan, further share growth is anticipated through years-end. Total GM sales are expected to grow almost four-fold from 118,000 vehicles in 2002 to more than half a million vehicles in 2007. Opel’s market share is also on the rise: sales of 101,000 cars in 2002 constituted a market share of 3.73 percent, while projected sales of around 230,000 cars in 2007 would represent a share of more than four percent.

Looking at Russia alone, the expansion of the new-car market is even more breathtaking. With a growth of more than 100 percent from 2002 to 2007, Russia will take in more than 2.5 million new cars in 2007, thus becoming the fourth largest market in Europe, only behind Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy, but ahead of Spain and France. Over the same time span, GM’s market share in Russia has grown from a mere 0.3 percent (3600 vehicles) to almost 10 percent or around 250,000 vehicles. Opel’s growth in Russia is just as impressive: Sales grew from 2900 vehicles in 2002 to a projected total of over 65,000 vehicles this year.

The new Astra sedan will be an important addition to the line-up in the strong, thriving markets in this region. 67 percent of Turkish customers who purchase a compact class car, for example, choose a notchback model. In Russia, this figure is 65 percent, while Poland and Southeastern Europe each have a total of around 15 percent. With a share of approximately five percent, this body variant plays a less significant role in the compact class in Western Europe. Accordingly, Opel expects to sell about one-third of Astra Sedans in Russia and Turkey respectively. A further ten percent each will go to Spain and Southeast Europe. The car will also be sold in Finland and Greece from next year.

Chris Lacey, Executive Director, Sales, Marketing & Aftersales, General Motors Central & Eastern Europe, explains the reasons why customers in this markets often opt for the traditional sedan body style: “Automobiles in these areas tend to carry more people than in Western Europe and, if the whole family is going on holiday, you need a lot of trunk space too. Of course, the fact that an enclosed trunk feels safer also plays a part.”

Overall, the addition of the notchback model will give the highly successful Astra line-up, of which 517,000 were sold across Europe in 2006, a further push in 2008. By end of calendar year 2007, Opel marketing expects to sell more Astras in Central and Eastern Europe than Germany, pushing this region into second place behind the United Kingdom. With the notchback model riding high in new registration statistics, Central and Eastern Europe looks likely to move into number one spot in Astra sales in 2008.