Where to for Opel, Isuzu?
Opel Astra is South Africa’s reigning Car of the Year, but will the brand survive here? General Motors said its disinvestment in SA was based on a global decision on where the company believed it could get the best return on investment, and the carmaker also recently quit India, Russia and Europe. The move still came as a surprise given the relative popularity of the brand in South Africa, particularly the locally-built Chevrolet Spark and Utility. The Utility half-tonner is one of SA’s best-selling vehicles and averages over 1000 units per month, while the Spark is a relatively popular entry-level hatch and averaged 365 monthly sales last year.
Chevrolet’s exit will also see the local demise of the Cruze sedan, and the Captiva and Trailblazer SUVs. Chevrolet sold 7 847 vehicles in SA last year, far fewer than big players like Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen, but ahead of brands like Suzuki, Fiat, Land Rover and Volvo.
Isuzu’s mid term future seems assured with Isuzu Japan’s decision to take over GM’s dealer network and buy the Struandale plant, where assembly of the Isuzu KB one ton bakkies, medium commercial vehicles and heavy duty trucks will continue.
The KB is a popular seller that moved 12 421 units in SA last year with a further 1605 exported, and Isuzu Motors says the company has a long-term interest in the African market where SA will serve as an important base.
As for Opel, a press conference has been scheduled in Sandton on June 8 to announce the way forward.
After previously being marginalised by GMSA, Opel has made a comeback in recent years with the launch of cars like the Mokka, Corsa, Adam, and the Astra which was recently voted SA’s (and this publication’s) Car of the Year.
Opel sold 4 098 cars in SA in 2016, which might seem a bad omen for the brand given that Chevrolet sold nearly double that and still decided to quit the country. However, Opel’s volumes could be a boon for PSA which sold only 982 Peugeots and 437 Citroëns here last year and subsequently discontinued the Citroën brand.
For more information visit GMSA’s frequently-asked-questions section online at www.gmsouthafrica.co.za. Alternatively call 082 628 8360, 079 881 0306 or 082 955 4354.