Opel, a brand that has had its financial troubles has achieved its best sales result in four years despite the strategic retreat from the Russian market.

According to preliminary data, the company delivered more than 1.1 million vehicles in 2015. This represents an increase of over 35,000 units or 3.3 percent compared to 2014, growing slightly stronger than the overall European market. Opel's share of the total European vehicle market therefore increased for the third year in a row to around 5.8 percent, the brand's best sales and market share results since 2011.

"2015 was the best year for Opel since 2011 thanks to our product offensive. We have increased our volume and our market share and are optimistic that we will be able to continue this success in 2016," said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales of the Opel Group. "The reason for optimism is partially driven by the new Opel Astra. It has already been ordered more than 80,000 times despite only arriving at dealerships in most European markets during the course of November. And we expect a lot from the Sports Tourer variant that will be produced as of spring 2016."

The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker achieved sales volume increases in 20 markets last year including Germany, the United Kingdom (under the Vauxhall brand), France, Italy and Spain. Market share was up in 10 European markets.

The Mokka saw the strongest year-over-year growth in the passenger car portfolio with an increase of 16 percent. The Mokka has just reached new heights with the 500,000th unit of the bestseller now having been ordered. Corsa registrations were up 6 percent.

It is also notable that Opel were able to sell over 100,000 commercial vehicles in 2015, growing 24 percent versus 2014 - significantly outgrowing the market which was up 9 percent and posting the brands highest sales and market share results in the market segment since 2008. All three Light Commercial Vehicle lines recorded an increase in volume with the Vivaro up 38 percent, Movano 27 percent and the Combo 12 percent.