Opel plans models blitz

Opel is to introduce 23 new cars by 2016 as part of a GM programme to rebuild customer interest in a brand that has almost halved its market share in Europe since 1993, writes Brian Byrne.

The first of these is the Mokka compact crossover due to go on sale next month, while the new Adam city car goes into production next year as will a new convertible, the Cascada (shown this week in teaser photographs, above).

Setting up a new finance company in Europe and an alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroen are also parts of the plan, which will likely also mean factory closures to cut big losses.

Opel has been part of GM since 1929, and was once bigger than VW, its arch-rival.