Opel will resume exporting models to Japan

Opel announces that it will return to Japan next year. Its commercial activity will start with the Corsa, Combo Life and Grandland X. From the outset, Opel will offer them with electrified versions.

From 2021, Opel will resume exporting models to the Japanese market, one of the most important in the world. As we said, as “launch versions” the lightning-bolt brand will begin with the Combo Life, the compact SUV Grandland X and the iconic Opel Corsa, which could change its name upon arriving in Asian territory. The CEO of Opel has stated that it is a good decision given the excellent reputation of the German brand in the Japanese automotive market.

The PSA Group is already there

Until now, the PSA Group has sold models in Japan under the Citroën, DS and Peugeot brands. Thanks to this, Opel will find it easier to enter the market, as it will take advantage of the infrastructure and experience of the French group. It will become part of PSA’s National Sales Organization. The figures back them up: so far, the three group brands that sell cars in Japan registered sales of 15,600 vehicles during 2019. And the goal is to keep growing with the start of the new decade.

Although the plan is to reach the Japanese market in 2021, over the coming months Opel will build a dealership network in the country’s main cities, growing progressively. By 2023, Opel’s network will cover more than 80% of the import market. The approach the Germans want to take to their sales in Japan is, as in the rest of the countries, profitable growth and customer satisfaction.

They also seek to strengthen other markets

This huge export offensive is one of the fundamental pillars of Opel’s well-known strategic plan PACE!. Forecasts say that by 2025 markets outside Europe will account for more than 10% of the lightning-bolt firm’s sales volume. To achieve this, the Germans will seek to strengthen their sales in markets such as Africa and South America, in addition to Asia.

We will have to see what successes the Japanese market holds for Opel. Certainly, the idea of marketing electrified versions is a good move, since the Eastern countries are pioneers and benchmarks when it comes to this type of mobility. The Corsa-e can be a good example, or some hybrid version of models such as the Crossland X or the Grandland X will be good bets for starting to relaunch success in a market that is undoubtedly one of the most important in the world.