OPEL has finished an impressive fourth out of 22 manufacturers assessed by German car magazine AutoBild for quality and reliability of cars between three and seven years old. AutoBild, one of the most influential German automotive publications, runs a quality assessment report every year.

This is a performance barometer on vehicle reliability, durability and customer satisfaction in Germany.

 The report for 2008, published last week, makes for interesting reading as while Japanese brands were in the top spots, Opel ran them close and finished as the best German car manufacturer in the study.

 The assessment is based on seven criteria: a customer satisfaction survey; manufacturer recalls; TÜV reports; a vehicle durability test; AutoBild’s “trouble mailbox”; a garage test, and finally, warranty policy terms & conditions.

 “To be acknowledged as the best German car manufacturer in Germany in terms of quality is an impressive achievement”, commented Dave Sheeran, managing director of Opel Ireland. “Last year the Opel Meriva was the comprehensive winner in the TÜV quality report for three-year-old vehicles in Germany, and this emphasises Opel’s ongoing commitment to quality as well as dynamic design and performance. It augurs well for our forthcoming Insignia that such great quality results are being achieved by our existing model line-up”.

Opel dealers locally include Ennis Road Opel and Hinchy’s of Garryspillane