Opel Australia Appoints Managing Director Ahead Of 2012 Launch

GM's European brand Opel is drawing nearer to its Australian debut, scheduled for the second half of 2012.

The announcement today of Opel veteran William Mott as Managing Director in Australia would indicate the carmaker's local operations are beginning to take shape.

Mott comes to Opel Australia after 16 years at the brand's European headquarters, most recently heading up Opel's Mini and Small Cars division in Russelsheim.

“Bill’s current portfolio includes Corsa and new generation Meriva and he has excellent international experience leading marketing functions in Germany, Switzerland and Portugal,” Opel Executive Director of International Operations, Michael Klaus said.

“This is an exciting time for Opel and Bill’s experience makes him ideal to lead the organisation and to launch the Opel brand in Australia.”

Opel's Australian arm will operate out of Holden's Port Melbourne headquarters in Victoria, where Mott will work closely with Holden boss Mike Devereux.

Details for the brand's local line-up has yet to be announced, although its recently-launched website lists the light Corsa, the small Astra, the mid-sized Insignia and the people-moving Zafira in its virtual showroom.

For now, Opel Australia has confirmed local debuts for the Corsa, Astra and Insignia.

The Corsa and Astra have already had success in Australia as the Holden Barina and Holden Astra of generations past, while the Insignia is the replacement for the long-gone Vectra.

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