Finally back: see models up close and experience premieres live! After a two-year break, the 100th Brussels Motor Show attracted more than a quarter of a million visitors to the Expo grounds of the Belgian capital in January. And Opel showed how car exhibitions can still unfold their charisma – with a range of products tailored to the needs of the customers.
All the vehicles with the ‘Blitz’ exhibited in Hall 5 are either fully electric or electrified plug-in hybrids – including four world premieres. Making their public debut in Brussels were the first battery-electric Astra Electric, the sporty Astra Sports Tourer GSe, the top-of-the-line SUV Grandland GSe and the Mokka Electric with a new battery and 20 percent more range.
“The Astra Electric will give further impetus to electric mobility in the important compact class,” says Opel CEO Florian Huettl.
The Astra Electric celebrated its public debut in Brussels. It is the first battery-electric Astra ever.
The Opel Combo-e showed how suitable the electrification of commercial vehicles already is for everyday use.
“Our fully electrified line-up shows that we are making great strides towards our goal of becoming an all-electric brand.”
– Opel CEO Florian Huettl –
And with this electrified line-up, Opel is meeting the Belgians’ taste: because registrations of new cars based on batteries have soared by 65.9 percent in 2022, and there have also been strong increases in hybrid models (up 38 percent) and plug- in hybrids (up 24 percent). “This trend was also confirmed during the days of the fair: The Belgians’ appetite for electrification is growing,” sums up Michel Vercruyssen, Managing Director Opel Belux. The interest in the Astra Electric was enormous, especially among fleet customers.
First hand information
The Brussels Motor Show is traditionally a sales fair, every third car sold in Belgium is sold around the event. A total of 50 carmakers showed their novelties during the 100th edition, about half of all exhibited models were electrified or partially electrified – a balance that Opel could easily top with its 100 percent electrified range. “Whether range or charging times – many visitors came to our stand with specific questions about electrification,” explains Michel Vercruyssen. The “How-to-Electric” zone offered real added value. Here, interested people could explore the possibilities of charging accessories in a simple and understandable way.
An appearance full of energy: All Opel models shown at the joint Stellantis stood drove fully electric or with electrified plug-in hybrid.
Interest in the Astra Electric was high – “especially among fleet customers”, says Michel Vercruyssen, Managing Director Opel Belux.
The Opel team was available to answer visitors’ questions on all days of the Motor Show.
The newcomers of the GSe sub-brand also made their debut: the Astra Sports Tourer GSe (rear) and the Grandland GSe.
The compact SUV comes as the Mokka Electric with a new battery and 20 percent more range.
“Many took advantage of the opportunity to order their Opel model directly online and even have it delivered to their home.”
– Michel Vercruyssen, Managing Director Opel Belux –
Opel not only plays a leading role in the electrification of its portfolio, but also in online sales: at least one out of seven Opel models is currently sold online – hand in hand with the dealers. Visitors to the stand also had the opportunity to discover and configure the portfolio online in the Mobility Corner.
Leading in online sales
And not only that: “During this Motorshow, we introduced the online selling with home delivery,” says Michel Vercruyssen. Even though the fair ended on January 22, the time for closing sales continues into February. “At the dealers, the offers made at the show are now being translated into financing and private leasing offers,” says the Managing Director.
The cozy lounge chairs were an invitation to linger.
The booth appearance in Brussels was teamwork.
The models ‘Blitz’ took center stage: “They are the stars that we let shine,” explains Pierre-Olivier Garcia.
Visually, too, the Opel stand attracted everyone’s attention: the yellow slash that spanned the Opel stand could already be seen from the main entrance. “We wanted to create an appearance that was outstanding,” says Pierre-Olivier Garcia, Global Brand Design Manager at Opel. He developed the booth concept together with brand marketing specialists Quentin Huber and Mikael Deschamps. “It follows the same philosophy as our models – ‘Bold & Pure’.”
Visually strong and sustainable
“The models with Blitz are the focus: they are the stars that we let shine,” Garcia explains. At the same time, the team has placed emphasis on sustainability: The cozy lounge chairs where visitors could take a seat or the showcases where merchandise was displayed are the same furniture that will be used at Opel dealerships from this year onwards. “Opel had a much-noticed appearance in Brussels that also set standards in terms of effectiveness,” Garcia sums up.
February 2023
Photos: Opel