German brand Opel is set to return to New Zealand, with electrified vehicles at the forefront of its offering.
We say return as this isn’t the first time Opels have been sold in New Zealand.
They were sold here in the late 1980s through Holden dealers, though after an initial wave the cars were rebranded as Holdens.
The last Opel-sourced models, rebadged as Holden Commodores and Astras, disappeared two years ago.
Since then, Opel has become a very different beast.
PSA, makers of Peugeot and Citroen, bought it off General Motors and itself became part of the huge Stellantis group, adding Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and others to the mix.
Being part of Stellantis brought with it new investment and access to a range of electrified and hybrid platforms. So much so that electrification will be a key part of Opel launch.
In the launch phase the brand will have two EVs available, the Mokka small SUV and Corsa small hatchback, with a next-generation Corsa to follow next year.
Three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol versions will also be available.
The Grandland medium SUV, in PHEV and ICE forms will also be an early offering, and the Astra name will return as an all new generation in PHEV in ICE form.
More models, and potentially a van range with electric options, will follow.
The Insignia, the car that became the Holden Commodore, is being replaced with an all-electric model.
A car based on the Manta electric sports car concept is also set for production.
Opel will be marketed as younger, more stylish, than the norm for a new vehicle brand here.
iOwn and iLease packages will be offered in a form designed to appeal to private and younger buyers.
Opel will be distributed in New Zealand by Auto Distributors, owned by prominent dealer Rick Armstrong.
The company has appointed former Hyundai and Volkswagen head Tom Ruddenklau as general manager.
Ruddenklau says he spent a lot of time researching the Opel opportunity before agreeing to take on the brand.
He says though he has experience with Volkswagen, Opel is something very different.
“This is very distinctive,” he says. “It’s not the brand I’m used to; it’s more Berlin and defined, than Frankfurt and grey.
“They are incredibly energised about the future, that feels poles apart from anything Holden-related. The audience that Opel is targeting is quite different; that’s the strategy rather than holding on to any legacy markets.”
The Government’s Clean Car plans created a solid benchmark for the brand, with its entire range receiving a subsidy under the scheme.
Ruddenklau suggests, that’s part of the willingness for Stellantis to allow the brand here; it is not going into Australia yet.
“There is a very clear intent to only go into markets with a clear emissions structure, and they will not pay fines,” he says.
Ruddenklau defends the company still having petrol cars in its mix, and did “entertain the idea” of going full-EV for Opel.
“We as a country can do better in terms of an emissions profile. Look at the sales mix in the UK, they’re all small cars.
“And as much as EVs are the poster child there’s a role for low emissions petrol cars as well.”
It will still generate credits under the Clean Car scheme, which Ruddenklau says will have a positive effect.
“ADNZ will be one of the few importers to generate credits, which is great news as that then affords us options as to how we invest into the brand.”
