Unlike Volt - Opel Ampera Sales Exceeding Expectations

General Motors Co.'s sales of the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt aren't hitting expectations in the U.S. But 7,000 orders for its European twin, the Opel Ampera, have surpassed early goals.

"We are quite sure that our sales target of 10,000 units (in 2012) is within reach," Enno Fuchs, e-mobility launch director for Adam Opel AG, wrote in an email to The Detroit News. Opel began taking Ampera orders last summer in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Deliveries started in February.

About 60 percent of Ampera customers are commercial or fleet, Fuchs said.

chewy - 4/17/2012 12:42:36 PM

+2 Boost

The last sentence there shouldn't be overlooked.

TehShibbs - 4/17/2012 2:48:04 PM

+2 Boost

This is partially because the Opel actually looks good, and that Europeans aren't as rash as Americans when it comes to the "OMG IT STARTS ON FIRE SEVEN DAYS AFTER IT'S BEEN TOTALED" scare.

wcbrown - 4/17/2012 3:06:26 PM

+2 Boost

It's because European actually like smaller, fuel efficient vehicles. NOT to say Americans don't, but they embrace fuel saving technologies more in Europe. That's why diesels are so popular there. Maybe the U.S. will eventually get on board...

PlanB - 4/17/2012 3:14:27 PM

+2 Boost

What he said...

vdiv - 4/17/2012 5:39:39 PM

+1 Boost

I was hoping that by now we would have actual sales/delivery numbers from Europe for the Chevy Volt/Vauxhall/Opel Ampera. The 7,000 orders news is now a month old.

MorePower - 4/17/2012 11:40:26 PM

+1 Boost

Higher prices on gas, CO2 based taxes, improved fuel economy and improved appearance(if only from the front) are the reasons why the Ampera is selling more than the Volt.

I hear all of you on the fleet sales, but I'm sure GM has sold a fair number of Volts to both local and federal governments here in The States.

vdiv - 4/19/2012 1:02:59 PM

+1 Boost

I would add shorter driving distances in Europe allowing Ampera drivers to only run on batteries. There are a few lesser reasons such as shorter time to charge with the portable charger due to higher capacity household power, and having city-centers that now prohibit the use of vehicles with emissions.