Europe’s Car of the Year 2009 is also European car buyers’ first choice: Thanks to the new Insignia’s spectacular market launch, Opel now leads the mid-size segment in Europe. In the first full quarter of Insignia sales, Opel surpassed all competition in the mid-size sedan segment in Europe. The start of sales in most European markets was in January. Due to the high demand for the new Opel flagship, three extra shifts will be added at the Rüsselsheim plant in May. Orders received have already topped the 100,000 mark.

“The Insignia is showing very good conquest potential, all the way to customers of classic premium brands,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Opel at General Motors Europe. “It is a symbol of our performance and ability – it shows what Opel can do.”

In Germany Opel saw strong gains in the mid-sized segment: Sales in the first quarter jumped 82 percent compared with the same period last year. The Insignia’s leading-edge technology is especially popular. “In this way, car for car, Opel can achieive higher margins with the Insignia than with its predecessor model. That’s very important for Opel’s future,” Visser adds.

Some 56 percent of buyers choose new-generation Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) with nine functions. Another 80 percent of orders include the DVD navigation system with color display and 35 percent choose the FlexRide chassis system. Close to two-thirds of Insignia customers want to drive on the largest tire combination: 40 percent select 18-inch tires and every third buyer 17-inch tires. Every second buyer chooses the “Aktion gesunder Rücken” orthopedically certified seats. The most popular engine by far is the 160 hp 2.0 CDTI, ordered by every third customer. Finally, half the buyers opt for diesel engines.

The Insignia Sports Tourer, the station wagon version, now is premiering at dealerships throughout Europe and is projected to bring even more momentum to the Insignia family. The newest member, the low greenhouse gas emitting Insignia ecoFLEX, offers dynamic driving performance with low CO₂ emissions of just 136 g/km. This reflects fuel consumption of 5.2 liters per 100 km. It will be on the markets this summer.

Courtesy: General Motors Corp

Related News:
GM announces 2008 global sales of 8.35 million vehicles 
Opel Insignia Wins Euro NCAP safety Test Award 
Opel presents Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet with Business Partners in Berlin 
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia becomes Car of the Year 2009 

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Posted by Naresh Koshti on 6 May, 2009 12:11:12 PM IST #