Following GM’s decision to cut the price of the Chevrolet Volt by $5,000 in the U.S., the carmaker’s European subsidiary has announced a similar move for the German “cousin” of the Volt, the Opel Ampera. Opel says the plug-in hybrid is now available from €38,300 ($50,510) in Germany – €7,600 ($10,030) less than before.
The price will be reduced in selected European markets as a consequence of “streamlining series production processes, leveraging savings in components purchasing and maintaining an unwavering commitment to making electric mobility affordable for everyone,” reads the official release.
“With our new pricing, we show our straightforwardness and continue to pursue our strategy for sustainable mobility,” said Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann. “We at Opel remain committed to investing in electric propulsion and believe in an emission-free automotive future – not in the future, but today.”
Introduced in Europe in 2012, the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera is built in Detroit together with the Chevrolet Volt with which it shares everything except the badges and brand-specific details. The four-seater is able to cover up to 80 km (50 miles) on pure electric power thanks to its 16-kWh lithium battery. The Ampera’s 1.4-liter gasoline engine extends the Ampera’s driving range to around 500 km (310 miles).
Vauxhall hasn’t made any announcement regarding a price cut for the Ampera. In the UK, the car is priced from £29,995 (including £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant).
By Dan Mihalascu
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