Source: Gasgoo
European Automotive News reported that on May 13, Stellantis’ Opel brand said when launching the pure electric version of Frontera small SUV model that despite the slowdown in the demand for electric vehicles in the European market, especially in the German home market, it still insists on launching only pure electric models from next year.
Opel CEO Florian Huettl said the company “firmly believes” that electric mobility is the best way to vigorously promote zero-emission vehicles. “Our focus is on making electric vehicles affordable to more consumers.”
Image source: Stellantis
The all-electric version of Frontera has a range of 300 kilometers and starts at 29,000 euros in Germany. The model will also be available in a version with a range of 400 kilometers, which is also more expensive. Frontera will also offer a mild hybrid version with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 21-kilowatt electric motor, with a starting price of 24,000 euros. By comparison, the smaller, all-electric Mokka model starts at 35,000 euros in Germany.
Huettl noted that while Opel could use Stellantis’ multi-powered platform in future products, such as the STLA Medium, the brand is sticking to its plan to offer only pure electric systems from 2025. “With Frontera and the new Grandland, Opel will complete the first stage of electrification, the coexistence of electric and internal combustion systems.”
Huettl also stressed that Opel now has a new lineup of multi-power platforms, pure electric systems that provide enough range to drive on the highway, and will continue to develop the next generation of pure electric models.
Last year, Opel’s global sales rose 15 per cent year-on-year to 670,000 vehicles. Among them, sales of pure electric vehicles increased by 22%, accounting for 15% of the brand’s total sales. Among electric vehicle sales, Mokka’s sales accounted for nearly 30%, ranking first; Corsa accounts for 20%.
The announcement comes just three weeks after Opel unveiled its all-new Grandland model, offering internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions. In addition, in order to make electric cars affordable to more consumers, Opel is developing a cheap electric model with a starting price of about 25,000 euros. However, Huettl did not give further details. Huettl believes that Opel will steadily increase the share of electric vehicles sold as the product lineup of electric vehicles continues to expand.
