Opel Astra tops passenger car sales in Europe

ZURICH -- The Opel Astra model took the number one spot in 1999 becoming the most popular nameplate in all of Europe. The Astra was the number one choice of customers throughout Europe with record sales of 745,000 passenger car and light commercial units in a combined Western/Central European market. As well, the Opel Astra wagon was the number one selling wagon in Europe in 1999, a position it has held since 1993.

Astra recorded substantial sales increases in almost every market in Europe. Traditionally strong Astra sales in Germany grew 4.4 percent, while Astra sales climbed 13 percent in the United Kingdom, 18.5 percent in Italy, 16.2 percent in France and a remarkable 74.9 percent in Spain. In total, Astra sales increased 18.2 percent over 1998 for the combined Western and Central European market.

"Our focus on product quality and design has clearly paid dividends," said Robert W. Hendry, chairman and managing director of Adam Opel AG. "Astra's dynamic styling and spacious interior continue to win over customers looking for added attributes in a very product intensive segment. With the sales momentum of the past six months, it looks like we can expect another strong year ahead for the Astra."

The Opel Astra is offered in a variety of configurations to meet the diverse needs of customers in many markets. The Astra Coupe, to be added in the spring of 2000, will offer customers another exciting choice in the Astra line-up and is well positioned for success as part of Europe's most popular car line.