Following hot on the heels of this morning's (March 5) announcement that the Opel Ampera has been voted European Car of the Year comes the news that it appears to be doing as well with the buying public as it has done with the journalists.
So far in 2012 some 7,000 orders have been placed for the range-extending electric car putting it firmly on track to reach the projected sales target of 10,000 units for the year. Opel says the latest figures surpass its most optimistic expectations for this point in time. The success of the Ampera in Europe is at odds with the experience of its American cousin, the Chevrolet Volt, which recently saw a temporary shutdown in production due to lack of demand.
The Ampera combats the 'range anxiety' currently synonymous with electric cars by combining a 11kW electric drive unit with a petrol powered generator that can boost range by up to 500 kilometres.
The Opel Ampera is expected to make its debut in Ireland later on this year in the fourth quarter. For more information about the Opel Ampera and to register your interest visit go to www.opel-ampera.com.