Opel displayed the Astra sedan at the Beijing Motor Show which ran from 20 to 28 April, effectively increasing the number of Opel’s model line up in China to five. The Astra joins the TwinTop convertible, Zafira and Vectra and is expected to strongly boost the Opel brand in this high growth market.

The sedan’s introduction in a market dominated by four-door vehicles is likely to increase the popularity of Opel in China after the warm reception of the Astra hatchback and GTC.

The GTC which features a panoramic windshield was named "Most Fashionable Vehicle" by China’s Trade Centre for Automobile Imports. Opel is positioned as a high-quality niche brand in a country were nearly 8.5 million vehicles were sold in 2007 alone.

Carl-Peter Forster, president of GM Europe, said that a combination of sporty design, high-quality equipment, safety components and superb value for money has made the brand highly reputable among Chinese drivers.

Another exciting new car displayed at the Beijing Motor Show was the Flextreme concept. Powered by an electric motor, the Flextreme emits less than 40g/km CO2 and is seen as an effective solution to increasing air pollution.

There are no immediate plans for the Astra sedan to be imported into South Africa although the powertrains are shared by several models in the current local line-up.