Opel Insignia to Debut at British Motor Show

Opel Vauxhall Insignia

New name for a new era

By Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
November 29, 2007 11:32 AM
Filed Under: British Motor Show, German, Opel, Vauxhall

New name for a new era

Opel (or Vauxhall in the UK) has just announced the new name for the new mid-size model which is set to debut at the 2008 British Motor Show. The Opel Vectra will go through life as the Opel Insignia.

Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors Europe says: “A closer look at our groundbreaking GTC concept car gives a good idea of how exciting Vauxhall’s new design language will be.”

We have of course been covering the development of the Opel Insignia / Vectra over the past year and will be there to bring you the latest live from the British Motor Show in summer.

Be sure to check the teaser video of a highly incompetent spy photographer.

Source: Adam Opel AG

Press Release (Click to expand)

Opel’s next-generation range of mid-size cars promises a radical step forward. The new model family, which makes its world premiere at the London Motor Show in July 2008, sets technology and design standards for the Opel brand and mid-size segment. To lead off the proceedings, Opel today announced the new model’s name: Opel Insignia. The new Insignia family will be built at Opel’s home plant in Rüsselsheim, one of the most state-of-the-art automobile production facilities in the world.

“Dynamic performance is one of the Opel brand’s core values. In the new Opel Insignia, this defining characteristic is realized by sophisticated powertrain technology, active safety and the interface between driver and car. The Insignia’s level of comfort and environmental friendliness is unrivaled even among considerably more expensive competitors,” says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors Europe. With the Insignia, Opel continues pursuing its strategy of making advanced technology affordable for more customers.

When it comes to the new car’s design, Visser says, “A closer look at our groundbreaking GTC concept car gives a good idea of how exciting Opel’s new design language will be.”

The beginning of Opel’s modern mid-size heritage dates back to 1970 with the launch of the Ascona, which sold 4.4 million units over three generations. This was succeeded by the Vectra in 1988, heralding a new era of innovative models from Opel. With almost 5.5 million models sold to date, the Opel Vectra is one of the key players in the mid-size segment.

Comments

wills2007
November 29, 2007 12:12 PM
..Insignia? That'll change pretty quick on British cars. A couple of years ago the Royal Mail attempted to rebrand themselves as 'Insignia', one of the most famous crap rebrands ever known in the UK. Vauxhall will probably keep the Vectra namesake to avoid what could fundamentally destroy the brand image, oh wait what brand image!?

asif
November 29, 2007 12:31 PM
i hope Nissan is taking note. what with the Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo and this Insignia as well as a new Accord on the horizon, it clearly shows that the market is still vibrant despite what Nissan professes. it has to have a sexy saloon in its lineup and the Primera could be a serious player if they get their act sorted out. come on Nissan, give us a knockout Primera pleeeeeeeease!!!

Skulinex
November 29, 2007 4:23 PM
Speaking of Mazda 6, doesn't that tail light picture look just like the one from the new 6 coming out?!

Mister-G
November 29, 2007 7:41 PM
wills2007, The Royal Mail's rebranding attempt was "CONSIGNIA" not "INSIGNIA".

Harajoshi2
November 29, 2007 11:48 PM
I don't like Opels, but this is pretty nice, don't know why you girls talking about mazda. When Mazda hires european designers you can't blame a european brand for looking european... My father worked for Mazda (I am swedish-japanese), and it was not a good time for him (He is now selling Sushi in Sweden)...

asif
November 30, 2007 11:59 AM
the Mazda 6 looks european? are you kidding? everything avout it says "japanese"

wills2007
December 2, 2007 3:34 AM
how very anal of you, the name is still very similiar and British people will have difficulty accepting such a terrible name and product which it's only use is to be rebranded as a Saturn in the US.

Mister-G
December 3, 2007 1:28 AM
Personally I don't have much trouble of the name, the british people got used to the changeover of the name from (Vauxhall) Cavalier to Vectra in the 1990's.

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