Closing falls for Opel Insignia this year

The German Automobilwoche writes that Opel will stop producing the Insignia this year. A Stellantis spokesperson would have confirmed this. The current second-generation Insignia, which Opel produces in Rüsselsheim, is the last car of the brand to be fully developed under the wings of General Motors. Unlike its CMP or EMP2 platform siblings, the Insignia uses GM’s E2XX base, a platform that is also unsuitable for electrification.

The 2003 Insignia Concept that started it.

In 2003, Opel already previewed the design of the first generation Opel Insignia with the Insignia Concept, which made its public debut as Vauxhall at the British International Motor Show. With the Insignia, available as a sedan, hatchback and as a Sports Tourer, Opel replaced two models in one fell swoop: the Vectra and the larger Signum derived from it. There was, among other things, a fierce OPC variant and the Sports Tourer was filled with cross elements as a Country Tourer. In 2013, the first generation Insignia went under the knife. During that touch-up session, the Insignia not only got a different front but also a modified rear. The first Insignia went through life in Chile as Chevrolet Vectra and, in addition to Vauxhall, was also sold by Holden and Buick as successively Insignia and Regal.

Opel Insignia Sport Tourer

The second and current generation Insignia appeared on the scene in 2017. The sedan disappeared on the European market, although it was available elsewhere in the world. From then on, the hatchback went through life as a Grand Sport, the station wagon was now called Sports Tourer. The latter once again had a rebellious Country Tourer next to him. Opel did not supply a hard-hitting OPC version of the second generation Insignia, but there was a GSi. It was briefly delivered with a 260 hp 2.0, but later returned with a 230 hp variant of a new 2.0. In 2019, the Insignia was facelifted. Like the first Insignia, the second generation of the model was also sold as Vauxhall Insignia and Buick Regal. In Australia he was renamed Commodore. Opel has recently started stripping down the Insignia range. The Insignia can no longer be configured on the Dutch website and with that the final goodbye is near.

Will Opel eventually come up with a successor to the Insignia? Very certainly, although Opel indicated in 2021 that this will be a very different model. You may count on a Citroën C5 X-like with at least an electric powertrain. From 2028, Opel says it will only sell electric cars.

Since the Dutch market introduction of the Insignia in 2008, 30,077 units have been sold in our country, spread over two generations. In his first full sales year, he immediately had his best sales year. Then 5,165 copies left the Dutch showrooms.