Sales numbers have not been impressive in the US market under the bowtie brand, however the rebadged hybrid appears to have been met with an even colder reception across the pond.
The Ampera achieved more than 5,000 sales in 2012, when Opel claimed it to be the “No.1 EV passenger car” with a 21-percent market share in Europe. The celebration was short lived, with numbers down by 40 percent in 2013 despite a price reductions. Shipments have entirely collapsed this year, with just 332 units leaving showrooms through the end of May.
The dismal performance has driven GM to cut its losses and kill the Ampera after the Volt is redesigned for 2016, unnamed sources have told Automotive News.
Opel is not turning its back on the EV market, with plans to launch an all-electric entry-level hatchback that will be much smaller and more affordable than the Ampera. Full details have not been revealed, though 2017 is viewed as a likely launch window.
Leave a Reply