Opel's global chief executive Florian Huettl paid a visit to the headquarters of Gowan Auto to meet the team at Opel Ireland this month. The one-day visit saw Huettl take in a dealer tour, go through an in-depth analysis of the business as it stands in 2024, media interviews and a ‘town hall’ gathering, where the CEO answered questions from Opel dealers and their employees.
Celebrating success and new models
Opel launched two new models to the Irish market as part of the event, with the new Opel Corsa Hybrid marking its arrival and the Opel Movano large van also unveiled. The Corsa Hybrid features the same 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as the standard Corsa but additionally has a 48-volt electrical system and 21kW electric motor to deliver fuel savings of around 20 per cent when compared with the non-hybrid models.
As for the Movano, the latest Stellantis Group-derived model features a new front end that's designed to help it stand out next to its platform-sharing siblings. It comes in three lengths and three heights, has a cargo volume of up to 17 cubic metres, a payload of up to two tonnes and a three-tonne towing weight. As well as diesel power, there's an electric Movano, too, with an official range of up to 423km.
Speaking at the event, Huettl was quick to applaud Gowan Auto's work as Opel's official distributor in Ireland, which is currently being overseen by James Brooks, the Managing Director of Opel Ireland, and Michael Dwan Gowan Group's Managing Director: "Opel has a long and successful history in Ireland with a loyal customer base," Huettl said. "We have seen consistent success, especially in the light commercial vehicle segment, where Opel enjoys a market share of 8 per cent, a growth of 48 per cent in the first half of 2024, compared to the same time last year. We have also succeeded in increasing our overall market share in Ireland.
“I congratulate the employees of Opel and Gowan Auto as well as the Opel dealer network of Ireland on these successes, and I thank them for their efforts and achievements. I am sure that this motivated team will continue to drive Opel forward in Ireland with sustainable and continuous growth.”
Opel is 125 years old
This year marks the 125th anniversary of Opel's founding by Adam Opel in Russelsheim, Germany, in 1899. It's also a significant milestone in terms of the company's position in the new-car market, with Opel's aim being to have a fully electric powertrain available in every car and light commercial vehicle that it sells by the end of the year.
Huettl's visit was also a chance to honour some milestones within the Opel Ireland family. Eleven dealerships were awarded with trophies to mark their decades of loyalty as official Opel franchises, while staff member Ken McKinley was commended for 39 years of service with Opel Ireland.
Not only is Gowan Auto the official distributor of Opel Ireland, but the Gowan Group now represents eight Stellantis brands in Ireland, operating from its new headquarters in Citywest in Dublin where there’s a modern distribution centre and a vast parts warehouse, while training and marketing facilities complete the firm's operations.