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| 2000-01-24 | |
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January 24, 2000
Ruesselsheim. In 1999, Opel and Vauxhall delivered 82,000 commercial vehicles to customers throughout Europe – 15,000 more than in the previous year, representing a gain of about 22 percent. The Movano, which went on sale a year ago in seven European countries, made a major contribution to this increase. With sales of 11,100 units (of which about 3600 were sold in Germany, 3200 in Great Britain, 1600 in Spain, 1300 in France and 1000 in Italy), this versatile van opened up a new customer group for Opel/Vauxhall. Beginning on January 15, 2000, the Movano will also be launched in the Netherlands. Shortly afterwards, it will be introduced in Austria and in Switzerland. Sales and marketing are carried out exclusively by selected Commercial Vehicle Centers (CVCs) from the Opel/Vauxhall dealer network. At present, there are 662 such centers in Europe. By early 2001, Opel and Vauxhall will have 800 Commercial Vehicle Centers available in 20 European countries with professionally trained sales and service specialists to provide after-sales support throughout Europe. The service support provided for the Movano is already extensive. These vans, which are mostly used for commercial purposes, can be brought into the dealer's workshop for diagnosis without prior appointment. Should the vehicle break down during the first three years after purchase, Opel Assistance provides rapid help. A special hotline has been set up to ensure rapid assistance. Multiple Talent: More than 40 Movano Versions Straight from the Factory The Opel Movano covers the maximum gross weight class from 2.8 to 3.5 tons, and is available as a panel van with three different wheelbases and three roof heights or – with side windows – as the Combi. The customer can choose between two diesel engines: a 59-kW (80-hp), 2.5-liter swirl-chamber engine and an 84-kW (115-hp) 2.8-liter unit with direct injection. Beginning early this year, the Movano with short wheelbase and normal roof will also be available with a third drivetrain option [not in UK]: This 1.9-liter direct injection diesel develops 59 kW (80 hp) at 3500 rpm and has a maximum torque of 170 Nm. It is content with an average of 8.5 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers according to the European standard test. Maximum payload and space are particularly important to Movano customers: The 3.5-ton models with a high roof and the two long wheelbases are the most popular versions, followed by the basic Movano, with a gross weight of 2.8 tons, a short wheelbase and normal roof height. Even this smaller Movano (with an overall length of 4.88 meters and a height of 2.25 meters) has a load volume of eight cubic meters – the largest van puts the figure up to 13.9 cubic meters. The general preference for the large Movano version matches the results of a survey carried out in July 1999 among a group of 200 German Movano buyers. Above all, they value the Opel heavy van's spaciousness and high payload. Other important reasons for making the purchase were Opel's support services as well as the value-for-money and economy that the van has to offer . The majority of these very satisfied Movano customers cover well over 25,000 kilometers in their vehicles (most of which are leased) each year. Special praise is given to road behavior and the engines' pulling power. For specific uses, Opel also offers four Movano-based body conversions that can be delivered within just ten days of ordering. About ten percent of the customers select one of these models: drop side body, tipper body, box body, or workshop van. With a cargo volume of 16.1 cubic meters, the box body offers the largest loading space of all the Movano variants. Besides these four standard body conversions which are available straight from the factory, there are other Movano versions from independent body manufacturers. Examples include refrigerated vehicles and ambulance vehicles for rescue services. The latter version is used, for instance, by the rescue service for the Opel plant in Ruesselsheim. Even More Attractive: Update for Opel's Commercial Vehicles Besides the Movano, which covers the gross weight class from 2.8 to 3.5 tons, Opel offers the Corsa Van, the Astra Van, the Combo, the Campo pickup truck and the Arena medium van as commercial vehicles for smaller payloads. In the new model year, the Astra Van, which was selected as the "Van of the Year" in 1999 by a jury of 16 international automotive journalists, will use a new four-valve direct injection diesel engine. This very economical 1.7 DTI unit, which also powers the Astra Eco 4, is rated at 55 kW (75 hp) and consumes an average of just 4.9 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers according to the EC's fuel efficiency test. Compared with the 1.7-liter, swirl-chamber diesel it replaces, the new engine develops 10 percent more power while consuming 20 percent less fuel. The Astra Van's load volume remains at the same generous level of up to 1600 liters. With 11,000 units sold, this delivery vehicle based on the current Astra is the most successful model in its segment in Great Britain; on a European level, it is number two with sales of 16,800 units. With sales of 11,800 units throughout Europe, the Corsa Van is also proving a big success. In Portugal, where over 7000 of these vehicles were sold, it is the best-selling model in its class. Portugal is not the only place where customers will appreciate the air-conditioning system which will be available for the Corsa Van with 44-kW (60-hp), 1.4-liter engine beginning in February 2000. The air-conditioning system will also become available in the Combo 1.4. An even more important development for business customers could be the new service van version of the Combo. Five installation kits with cabinets, roller-mounted drawers or open bins, service cases, and a retractable worktop with a vice, a pull-out floor, or a special anti-slip floor surface make the agile Combo an ideal mobile workshop in an urban environment. Without the installations, the Combo – 32,000 units of which were sold in the past year – has a load volume of up to 3130 liters available and can carry a maximum payload of 700 kilograms. The Campo also has some new features. Opel's pickup which registered sales of 4400 units last year in Europe, is now available with an optional front-passenger airbag and side intrusion protection. Beginning in April, the luxurious Campo 4x4 Limited will also be available. This vehicle will be supplied in Austria, France, and Poland with a crew cabin; in Great Britain, it has a regular cabin. The standard equipment includes a front-passenger airbag, power windows, and central locking. The "Limited" model features a two-tone paint finish as well as body-colored bumpers and radiator grille. . | |
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