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New Astra gets green light for SA

After some uncertainty early last year as to whether the new Opel Astra would be introduced in South Africa after the local range was trimmed, General Motors South Africa (GMSA)  has confirmed that the car will be introduced here early in 2011.

GMSA says the news follows a decision by its parent company to retain the Opel brand following GM’s shock pull out of a planned sale to Canada’s Magna and Russia’s Sberbank.

“The certainty around the future of Opel is great news for South Africa and allows us to build on the fine history of the Opel brand and the Corsa and Astra ranges,” said GMSA vice president of planning, Ian Nicholls.

The new Astra is said to be more spacious than the car it replaces, courtesy of its longer wheelbase and increased girth. An assortment of Ecotec petrol and common-rail diesel engines will be on offer, although powertrains and model specifications for the South African market have yet to be announced.

Opel’s new Astra goes on sale in South Africa in the first quarter of 2011.

In April 2009, GMSA announced it was discontinuing sales of its Meriva, Zafira and Tigra models locally. Only 1.6, 1.8 and OPC variants of the Astra hatchback were available to order.

Are you looking forward to seeing the new Astra on our roads? Share your thoughts here



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