- Zafira Life and Grandland X can be ordered in Russia as of now
- People carrier Zafira Life rolls off the production line in Kaluga
- Vivaro also to be produced in Russia soon
- In the coming years at least one major launch every year
- Growth based on new export markets is at the core of the strategic PACE! plan
Rüsselsheim. Opel is back in Russia: The first models of the Rüsselsheim-based German carmaker have arrived in the showrooms of selected dealers in major Russian cities. As of today, customers in Russia can order the successful Opel Grandland X SUV from Eisenach and the Zafira Life.
Groupe PSA started the regular production of the family van Zafira Life in its plant in Kaluga, some 200 kilometers southwest of Moscow. The Opel Vivaro transporter units for the local market will also roll off the production line in Kaluga as of early 2020.
“A significant increase of our profitable exports is one of the key pillars of our PACE! company plan. We are making further progress in this area now with our comeback in Russia,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “We will gradually increase our commitment in the country in the coming years. This includes offering a wider range of products. In the coming years, there will be at least one major Opel launch every year. Like in every market, our top priority is to grow profitably with a high level of customer satisfaction.”
“Opel is returning to Russia and this is a fantastic comeback. It is a benefit that we are able to use the plant in Kaluga and to produce locally from the start. We are happy to offer Russian clients a competitive and high-quality product which is based on the best developments of German engineering“, said Paul Willcox, CEO Eurasia region.
The German brand has a long-standing tradition and an excellent reputation in Russia. With its comeback on the Russian market, Opel will strengthen the presence of Groupe PSA in the Eurasia region. Russia is a large, strategically important and attractive market with a lot of potential.
Initially, 11 dealers in major Russian cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Rostov, Ryazan, Tyumen or Nizhiny Novgorod will be Opel partners. This number will double as soon as next year and grow further going forward.
An extensive export offensive is one pillar of the Opel/Vauxhall strategic plan PACE!, which will help the company become sustainably profitable. The decision to re-enter the Russian market – after having left during the severe economic crisis in 2015 – is part of this plan aiming at the development of the brand in both Europe and global markets. The goal is to generate 10 percent of the overall Opel sales volume outside of the European core market by the mid-2020s.
To achieve this, the brand is further strengthening its presence in the export markets in Asia, Africa and South America where it is already present today and will enter more than 20 new export markets by 2022. For example, Opel will be exporting vehicles to Colombia and Ecuador already as of next year.
Contact
Harald Schmidt
Assistant Manager Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 6142/7-72 914
Mobile: +49 172/2991792
harald.schmidt@opel.com
Mark Bennett
Assistant Manager Corporate Communications
Tel.:+49 6142/7-72 822
Mobil: +49 151 51 51 74 32
mark.s.bennett@opel.com