GM’s Opel unit has given up the battle for high market share in Germany and no longer seeks to repeat the record levels it enjoyed in the 1990s, according to a report in Handelsblatt.

The newspaper report says that people close to Opel said that the company’s long-term plans up until 2006 only mention market share targets of around 12%. Five years ago, it had market share of more than 18%.

Opel’s supervisory board will meet on Monday to discuss the group’s long-term strategy.

Handelsblatt’s sources claim that a ‘high level of realism’ has been put into estimating future market developments.

In Geneva earlier this month, GM and Opel executives set great store on plans to revamp product in the medium term – an implicit recognition that its lacklustre range in some segments has been a factor behind falling market share.

Some 10 billion euros will be invested in 10 new Opels (aka Vauxhalls, Holdens and South American Chevrolets) in the next five years. First of the new cars is the all-new Vectra later this year.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

As part of a policy of rationalising its distribution network, Opel recently sacked 900 German dealers.