Rüsselsheim. In 2023, Opel grabbed the headlines on numerous occasions, with the presentation of the ground-breaking Opel Experimental concept car as well as with the world premieres of the new Corsa Electric and the new Astra Sports Tourer Electric. But it was not only the cars and vans that attracted attention from drivers and experts; the Opel and Vauxhall brands themselves also generated their own share of excitement: Opel received the DMSB Sustainability Award for its pioneering motorsport concept featuring the locally emissions-free Corsa Rally Electric. In the United Kingdom, Vauxhall was named “Manufacturer of the Year”. The new generation of the Opel Astra was voted “Best Car of the Year” in numerous countries and categories around the world, as was the new Corsa. The Rocks Electric, Mokka Electric and the versatile Vivaro light commercial vehicle also joined the list of 2023 award winners.
New Opel Astra: “Best Compact Car” around Europe and “down under”
After the newest Astra generation had already received the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”1, 2023 was another successful Astra year. The Astra Electric and the new Astra Sports Tourer Electric – one of the first all-electric estate cars on the market – were launched. All over the world, the styling and top technologies of the compact class bestseller have been well received by experts and the public. The Astra was named “Best Compact Car” in Spain at the “Carwow Awards 2023”. Further awards such as “Best Car of the Year”, “Best Family Car of the Year” and “Best Lower Medium Car of the Year” followed in Portugal, Greece, Israel and the United Kingdom.
In Germany, the international expert jury of the Red Dot Awards awarded the Astra the “Red Dot Award 2023” in the “Product Design” category. And in New Zealand, the jurors recently awarded the Astra GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP2: 1.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 30-29 g/km) twice: as “Car of the Year 2023 – Small Lifestyle Vehicle” by Tarmac Life and as “Medium/Large Business Car of the Year 2023” by Company Vehicle.
Best-selling small car: Corsa wins awards for design and sustainability
With its new appearance including the characteristic Opel Vizor brand fascia and fully digital cockpit, the new Opel Corsa 2023 was also judged the best-looking car in its segment. This was confirmed by more than 14,500 readers of auto motor und sport, who voted the Corsa the “Best New Design of 2023”. The “autonis” design award therefore went to Opel for the second time in a row, the Rocks Electric having won in 2022. The Corsa also scored strongly in the UK. There it won the title of “Best Small Car of the Year” (The Sun) as well as “Best Fleet Supermini” (Fleet World) and “Best Used Small Car” (Carbuyer).
In motorsport, Opel has been demonstrating for three years with the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” that the all-electric Corsa is not only a practical small car for everyday life. Last year, an expert jury from the German Motor Sport Federation presented Opel with the “DMSB Sustainability Award 2023” for the ground-breaking rally concept.
Awards across the board: From Rocks Electric to Mokka Electric and Vivaro Electric
Opel’s electrified models, from “small” to “large”, demonstrate how electromobility can combine emotion with innovation and suitability for everyday use. In the United Kingdom, the Vivaro LCV was declared “Medium Van of the Year” by Fleet World and at the 2023 Fleet News Awards the Vivaro Electric was named “Best Zero Emission Medium Van”. The best-selling SUV Opel Mokka Electric became “Eco Car of the Year” in Serbia, while the electricar magazine rated the two-seat Opel Rocks Electric “Very Good” among electric vehicles in Germany.
In view of these successes it comes as no surprise that Vauxhall as a brand received several awards in the UK last year: The Sun named Vauxhall “Manufacturer of the Year” at the News UK Motor Awards 2023. In the commercial and fleet business, Vauxhall also won the title of “Fleet Manufacturer of the Year” (Fleet World) and also impressed customers with the “Best Fleet Website” according to Business Car.
