Opel drops flagship Insignia combustion models

BERLIN: Opel is halting production of its range-topping Insignia models with petrol and diesel engines well ahead of schedule, parent company Stellantis has announced.

The Insignia is the last model in Opel's range to use technology from previous owner General Motors and was initially set to have continued until 2024.

But the ageing model will now be phased out at the end of the year and make way for compact models such as the Opel Astra at the Rüsselsheim plant in Germany.

Opel did not specify if the Insignia badge would live on in future electric models or if it would be replaced entirely by a new, electric-era brand.

The move is no real surprise, as the five-metre Insignia has been a poor seller for several years and as electric cars surge ahead, it no longer fits into the company's portfolio.

"Opel is driving forward the transformation to becoming an all-electric brand by 2028 and is preparing the launch of several state-of-the-art electric models, including a future flagship," Opel said in a statement.

"The current Opel Insignia was launched in 2017 on a vehicle platform that was not designed for electrification by Opel's former parent company."

The Insignia was a big success after its first-generation introduction 14 years ago as a replacement for the Signum and Vectra models. It was face-lifted only two years ago.

Despite the car's roominess and the frugality of its diesel version, demand for limousines and estate cars like the Insignia has since dropped off across the board amid the SUV and crossover boom.