Opel will postpone customer deliveries of its plug-in hybrid Ampera in Europe for an unspecified period of time, Financial Times Deutschland reported, citing the automaker.
Opel wants to make sure that the highly charged batteries, which, similarly to fuel tanks, pose a risk in case of accidents, are safe.
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Company spokesman Andrew Marshall confirmed to just-auto the automaker was “delaying the process a little while”, awaiting a final analysis of battery fires following crash testing by US regulatory agency NHTSA.
“We think it’s prudent to take a little longer.”
He noted that GM had already developed a method of ‘depowering’ the batteries after a crash.
The Ampera had been due to be launched in Europe about now and cars are already in Germany with demonstrators in dealer hands and with media, Marshall said.
First deliveries await “the green light from across the pond”.
UK unit Vauxhall said earlier this month the UK launch was on target for May first deliveries.
