Opel is pressing forward with an ‘export offensive’ project, with the aim of reviving its presence in the Russian market this year.

The company will initially make three models available at selected Russian dealers: the Grandland X from its Eisenach plant in Germany, along with the new Zafira Life and the Vivaro from the Groupe PSA plant in Kaluga, western
Russia.

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller said (www.int-media.opel.com): “A significant increase of our profitable exports is one of the key pillars of our PACE! company plan. Russia is a large, strategically important and attractive market with a lot of potential.

"As a German brand with a long-standing tradition and an excellent reputation in the country, we will benefit from this. Being able to produce locally immediately is a prime example of how important being part of Groupe PSA is for Opel.”

Yannick Bézard, executive vice president and operational director (Eurasia), said: “The launch of a new brand on the Russian market will allow Groupe PSA to strengthen its presence in the Eurasia region, expand the offer for existing customers and win new ones.

“Along with the Opel brand launch in Ukraine last year, we aim to triple Groupe PSA brand volumes in the region by 2021.”

An extensive export offensive is one pillar of the Opel/Vauxhall PACE! plan, part of which is aiming at the development of the brand in both Europe and global markets, with 10% of Opel sales coming from outside Europe by the mid-2020s.

To achieve this, the brand will further strengthen 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.