INDUSTRY NEWS
Enduring favourite Opel names new distributor
Opel has appointed a new distributor for SA but it remains to be seen how the strategy will be implemented
Since General Motors (GM) announced it was disinvesting from SA, there has been intense speculation regarding the future of its brands here. While it is official that Chevrolet will disappear, the big question was: what will happen with Opel? Opel has had a presence in the local market since the 1930s. At the turn of the century it took a back seat to the global Chevrolet brand but since 2012 it has had something of a resurgence, with 13 new Opel models being launched here. Now Opel has announced it remained committed to the country through a new distributor and plans to roll out new models. New operation The Williams Hunt group has been appointed as the dedicated distributor to import and sell the Opel brand in SA, effective January 2018. Williams Hunt has had GM dealerships for many years and according to Opel it contributes 20% of the brand’s sales in the country. While the deal is not without serious concerns, Opel promises the new operation will spawn a number of new models too...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.