The reconstruction of Opel and its British subsidiary, Vauxhall, continues with a new major announcement made today. In order to optimize its model lineup and to focus on high volume segments, the German brand will axe its Adam, Karl, and Cascada models after the end of their life cycles in approximately one year.
The announcement comes just weeks after Vauxhall decided to kill the Adam Rocks with an immediate effect. Earlier this year, it was also confirmed the Zafira van and Astra GTC two-door coupe won't get replacements, too.
In return, as part of its "Pace!" production plan, Opel will launch a total of eight all-new or refreshed vehicles from early 2019 to the end of 2020. The automaker hopes that, when that process is finished, it will have one of the newest model ranges on the European market.
"In a context of drastic CO2 norms, it's our responsibility to shape a sustainable future for our company and our dealers with a highly competitive portfolio for passenger and light commercial vehicles," Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller comments. "Opel will offer fun to drive and emotionally designed models including highly competitive light commercial vehicles such as the new Combo and Vivaro."
Speaking of the Vivaro, a brand new generation of the model, in both LCV and passenger versions, will be introduced next year. 2019 will also be the year when a new Corsa will be revealed, one benefiting from technologies developed in cooperation with Opel's new owner, PSA. Then, in early 2020, the manufacturer will launch the successor of the successful Mokka X, which will play "a pivotal role for the strategy to expand the proportion of the company's SUV sales from 25 to 40 percent by 2021."
The summer of 2019 will be the period when Opel will open order books for the plug-in hybrid version of the Grandland X and the all-electric version of the new Corsa. By the end of 2020, Opel plans to offer its customers no less than four electrified vehicles.
