Vauxhall chairman Kevin Wale plans to add a sport utility vehicle to the company’s range to complete its model line-up.
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Vauxhall used to sell the UK-built, Isuzu-based Frontera SUV and the larger Monterey, a rebadged Isuzu Trooper/Bighorn, sold also by Opel in Europe. Both ageing model lines have now been dropped.
“[SUVs are] a gap we have in both the Vauxhall and Saab line-ups and we are looking to do something about that,” Wale said at the Detroit Motor show. “I would certainly like one Vauxhall SUV if not two.
“There are plans to introduce one such vehicle late next year,” he added, without providing details.
SUVs aside, Wales said he was happy with the rest of the range which he believes is now one of the best Vauxhall has had for many years.
“We have some great products now and I suppose the only disappointment is [the mid-size] Vectra but the segment has been in decline generally and everyone is suffering.
“Vehicles in the segment below have become bigger and better while those above have become cheaper.”
Last year Vauxhall sold 370,000 vehicles in the UK taking 12.6% percent share of the market “and gaining half a percent over Ford,” according to Wale.
“I think the market will remain about the same this year, I don’t expect any big movements in interest rates, the UK economy is well managed, there is consumer confidence and as far as vehicles are concerned there is plenty of choice and prices are good.”
As Vauxhall chief, Wale also now heads Saab and Chevrolet [formerly Daewoo] in the UK. The major issue this year is gaining recognition for the Chevy brand.
Wale said: “There is a perception of big, thirsty American cars associated with the Chevy name in the UK, and while that is a perception we have to change at least it is a name that is known and one that has cache.
“The great thing is that with Vauxhall, Saab and Chevrolet the GM brands have product offerings in all the important price ranges.”
