Opel/Vauxhall to become Deutsche Post World Net’s Exclusive European Medium Van Vehicle Supplier

General Motors’ Adam Opel AG division recently signed an agreement with Deutsche Post World Net to become the exclusive vehicle supplier of the group’s medium van fleet through the end of 2004.

Under the agreement, up to 4,000 Opel/Vauxhall Vivaros will be supplied during the course of this year, with the first 1,000 units already being delivered by the end of January. The vehicles will form part of Deutsche Post World Net’s medium van fleet in 14 European countries. In Germany the vehicles will be used by Deutsche Post and in all other markets by DHL, Deutsche Post’s express and logistics division.

Deutsche Post World Net offers a wide range of services, such as global mail, express delivery, logistics and financial services. By adding the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro to their fleet, Deutsche Post World Net plans to substantially renew its medium van fleet. The vehicles — Vivaro panel vans with a 1.9 Liter 82 hp common rail turbodiesel engine — will be produced at Vauxhall’s IBC plant in Luton, UK.

Final preparation of the vehicles according to the requirements of Deutsche Post World Net will be handled at the Opel Special Vehicles GmbH (OSV) center in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

"We are pleased that Deutsche Post World Net, one of the largest logistics providers in the world, has selected Opel/Vauxhall to become the exclusive supplier of its European medium van vehicle fleet for 2004," said Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman and Managing Director, Adam Opel AG. "We see the continuing success of our commercial vehicle portfolio, despite a very competitive market. In fact, December 2003 was the 26th consecutive month of year-on-year commercial vehicles market share gains in Western and Central Europe. That Deutsche Post World Net has chosen the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro for its vehicle fleet confirms yet again that we are hitting the mark with our commercial vehicles offer."

Dr. Frank Appel, Board Member for Deutsche Post World Net with responsibility for Logistics and Corporate Services, adds: "Through our rigorous sourcing process, GM were able to demonstrate that the Vivaro meets our requirements to provide quality service and express delivery to customers in Europe. We are confident that Opel is the right provider to support us in our objective to continuously provide better services and ensure best value for DPWN."

The Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro comes in five body variants, featuring an attractive appearance combined with practical functionality and class-leading operating costs in the 2.8-ton class. The Vivaro can carry a maximum payload of 1142 kg and has a load area of more than 8.4 cubic meters. It comes with two wheelbases, two roof heights, and with four powerful and fuel-economic engines (82-135 hp): three common rail turbodiesels and a two-liter gasoline engine.

Together with the Combo, the Movano, the Astra Van and the Corsa Van, the Vivaro model range has firmly established Opel/Vauxhall in the commercial vehicle market. Opel/Vauxhall’s Western and Central European commercial vehicle market share increased to almost 5.8 percent in 2003, up from 4.8 percent in 2002. Corresponding volumes went up by 23.3 percent from 125,300 to 154,500.