General
Motors is expanding its South African Opel range at the end of July with the Omega
(basis of the Cadillac Catera) sedan, Zafira minivan and Astra Caravan station
wagon with the Astra Coupé Turbo due to arrive a few months later.
The new models will all be shipped built-up to South Africa, joining two existing
models, the Corsa and Astra, which are assembled from CKD component kits at
the Struandale plant operated in Port Elizabeth by Opel’s sister company Delta
Motor Corporation.
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Strategic
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A joint venture established by General Motors (49 percent) and local investors
(51 percent) is responsible for sales of Opel models in South Africa.
In a second, adjacent plant the production company, which was established in
1987 and employs 3,600 people, mainly produces commercial vehicles from Opel’s
Japanese sister company Isuzu.
Total output from both plants is in the region of 50,000 vehicles annually.
With sales of about 48,000 vehicles, including 21,500 Opel models, and a 13.3
percent market share, Delta Motor Corporation was last year among the five largest
brands in South African where around 350,000 vehicles were sold.
Opel and Delta expect the four additional models will boost GM’s annual
South African sales by about 2000 cars.
The South African specification includes uprated suspension and special equipment
packages to counteract heat and dust.
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