Opel Sales Climb 3% in Europe

General Motors Co.'s Opel/Vauxhall unit reports sales of 1.08 million vehicles in Europe in 2014 compared with 1.04 million for the previous year. It was the company's best result since 2011.

Opel also increased its market share in Europe to 5.7% from 5.6% in 2013, thanks to gains in the region's five largest markets and 10 others. The unit also has benefitted from GM's decision to withdraw its competing Chevrolet brand from the European market.

Opel expects to roll out 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018. It hopes to capture 8% of the European car market by 2022. GM is spending at least €4 billion on Opel's product expansion in a bid to restore the unit to profitability.