Opel to Launch Next-Gen Combo Cargo in Europe in 2012

MADRID – Adam Opel says its next-generation Combo Cargo van will go on sale in Europe in early 2012.

The panel van, a rebadged Fiat Doblo, was unveiled in November at the TransportCH show in Bern, Switzerland. The passenger version debuted earlier at the Frankfurt auto show. It is the result of General Motors Europe’s decision to pass production to its former joint-venture partner’s light-commercial-vehicle brand, Fiat Professional.

The Combo Cargo is being built in Turkey by Tofas, a JV between Fiat and the automotive arm of Turkish industrial conglomerate Koc Holding. The van shares its body and mechanical platforms with the Doblo, whose competitors include PSA Peugeot Citroen’s Berlingo and Partner.

Tofas plans to produce 250,000 units of the new Combo Cargo and passenger version through 2013. The Turkish vehicle maker manufactured its 1 millionth Doblo unit in 2011.

The Combo Cargo agreement with GM Europe initially will provide another 250,000 units until 2014. Additionally, Fiat Professional has ordered 190,000 more Doblo units that will be marketed in the U.S. and Canada over the next seven years.

The new Combo Cargo will be produced in two different wheelbases and with two different roof heights.

Customers can choose between two asymmetric rear doors or one big door. A sliding lateral door for each side of the vehicle is offered as well.

The Combo Cargo has 134-162.4 cu.-ft. (3.8-4.6 cu-m) of capacity. A trapdoor over the rear doors for transporting longer objects is available.

Three engines – two diesels and one gasoline – are offered to move the panel van, ranging from 90 hp to 120 hp. A compressed-natural gas powertrain also is available. Additionally, a stop/start system will be offered to reduce fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions.

Standard equipment includes a centralized lock for the doors, electric windows, assisted power steering, antilock brakes and an airbag for the driver.

At the same time the new Combo Cargo was introduced in Switzerland, the precedent version of the model stopped production at the Opel Figueruelas plant here in Spain. The factory has been assembling the Combo since February 2007, when GM Europe decided to close its Azambuja facility in Portugal.

Since 2007, the Combo has added an average 65,000 units annually to Figueruelas production.