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Opel Bringing Crossland X, Grandland X to South Africa; Names New Dedicated Distributor

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Opel Bill Mott

Opel in June revealed that it has tapped the Williams Hunt group to act as its new dedicated distributor in South Africa beginning in January 2018. Williams Hunt distribution currently accounts for approximately 20% of Opel sales in the region.

It was also revealed that Opel’s lineup—currently consisting of the ADAM, Corsa, Astra, and Mokka—will expand to include the recently-launched Crossland X and Grandland X crossovers. The Crossland X is set to launch at some point during the second half of this year, and it will be joined by the Grandland X in the early going of 2018.

Opel confirms that it will continue to strengthen and grow its presence in South Africa into its future as part of the PSA Group. In the past two years, Opel’s sales in South Africa are up nearly 10% despite an overall market decline of 15.5%.

“Opel has had great success in South Africa,” said Bill Mott, Director of International Sales Operations. “Many of our models have enjoyed great popularity among the buying public and have received rewards and acclaim from the motoring press. Just this year, the Opel Astra was the winner of the South African Car of the Year competition—a great indication of the brand’s ongoing success in this market.”

Among the awards Opel has earned in South Africa in recent years are wins for the Opel Corsa 1.0 Turbo Enjoy in the 2017 cars.co.za awards, the 2016 Powertrain of the Year award for the Opel Corsa 1.0 Ecoflex from Top 12 Car Magazine Best Buys, and Independent Motoring’s overall Best of the Best Award in 2016 for the Astra.

“We view South Africa as an important market,” Mott added. “We are confident that the brand will continue to grow from strength to strength globally, and here in South Africa, because of the solid foundation that has been built in the 80-plus years Opel has been here.”