Russelheim. More great news for OPEL fans - OPEL just announced that their range of
Combo commercial vehicles will be
brought to South Africa in early 2019. And, as if that wasn't good enough news, the
OPEL Combo Cargo has received the coveted
2019 IVOTY (International Van of the Year) Award.
Each with its own personality - while offering a similar level of practicality.
After unveiling the
Family-Oriented OPEL Combo Life recently, the
PSA Group subsequently also introduced its commercial counterpart – the
OPEL Combo Cargo.
This
award-winning light commercial vehicle is embracing a new generation of OPEL vehicles, introducing some all-new design changes inside and out, along with more practicality than ever before. The
OPEL Combo Life on the other hand is being described as
'the family's best friend' thanks to a spacious cabin and a high level of flexibility. Indeed, you can have it with
five or even
seven seats, one or
two rear sliding doors, and with a choice between short
(4.40 meters) and long
(4.75 meters) lengths.
The
new OPEL Combo Vans were designed as part of a cross-business programme in which services were systematically tailored as closely as possible to the needs of business customers in terms of convenience, driving assistance systems and safety.
Jarlath Sweeney, chairman of the
IVOTY jury, described the new
OPEL Line-Up as "the most significant small panel van development in years". Commenting on the jury's decision, he added:
"The OPEL Combo is well future-proofed, packed with technological advancements to aid the driver and offers substantial financial benefits to the owner or fleet manager. The creation of its new 'overload alert system' is a great initiative, as it will ensure compliance and enhance safety. The availability of two wheelbase versions is another step forward, as is the introduction of an all-wheel-drive variant, considering that an increasing number of utility companies are looking for 4x4 traction in a smaller van. All in all, an excellent package, well put together."
The new models were developed using the EMP2 platform and accommodate the latest generation of powertrains and driver assistance equipment. They offer a range of services for business/commercial customers, meeting the highest standards on the market in terms of spaciousness and modularity, including a load capacity of 1,000 kg.
To cover all customer needs,
the vans will come in two lengths and will be
available in 2-, 3- and
5- seater versions. With each generation, Groupe PSA has brought useful and major innovations to the segment, now proposing two technologies that are unique on the market: the
'Overload Indicator' and
'Surround Rear Vision'.
With this new offering, Groupe PSA intends to consolidate its already leading position in the European commercial vehicle market.
OPEL is
one of the
oldest car brands operating in Southern Africa, and
the brand has
built a solid reputation over the
80+ years that OPEL has been in the country. The
South African Motoring Guild voted the new
OPEL Astra as the
South African 'Car of the Year for 2017' after the
new Astra was awarded
'Car of the Year' in 12 European countries, as well as
'Overall European Car of the Year'. OPEL won the prestigious 'Car of the Year' award in South Africa on few previous occasions as well – in
1991 (OPEL Monza), in
1994 (OPEL Kadett) and in
1995 (OPEL Astra). OPEL cars are known for offering luxury level specifications that packs stamps a German engineered punch high above their price category – hence the brand's pay-off line: "The Future is Everyone's".