Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/573382
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2015 44 Motoring Staying safe on and around two wheels Opel's European sales increase by almost 13% Whether protected by three tonnes of metal and a seatbelt or by leathers and a helmet, all driv- ers are responsible for motorcycle safety. Motorcyclists are more vul- nerable than other drivers, but it's up to everyone to be motorcycle aware on the roads. Here are some things to keep in mind, whether you're driving a car or riding a motorcycle. Driving a car or truck? Treat motorcycles like they are as big as other vehicles. Sure, mo- torcycles don't take up as much lane space as a bus, but they often adjust lane positions to avoid road debris and respond to wind and passing vehicles. Allow motorcy- cles plenty of lane space. Double-check those blind spots. The motorcycle's smaller size still has to be taken into consideration, especially when changing lanes. Use your turn signals and take ex- tra care to ensure the way is clear. Back off. Stopping distances for cars and motorcycles are about equal, but wet conditions can make quick stops difficult for both. What might be a mere "fender bender" between two cars could end up much more serious with a motorcycle involved. Be extra cautious pulling in front. Due to their smaller size, motorcycles can appear farther away than they actually are. They can also be hidden behind other larger vehicles, so ensure you have lots of space to turn in front without interrupting the oncom- ing motorcycle. Does the bike have its turning signal on? Play it safe and wait until it turns. Driving a motorcycle? Avoid the centre of the lane when traffic slows. It's best to have a quick exit strategy when traffic suddenly grinds to a halt. Keeping to the left or right of your lane allows you to escape quickly if a trailing vehicle fails to stop in time. Dress to be seen and protected. Wearing reflective clothing and bright colours helps other driv- ers see you. Also, wearing a qual- ity helmet and garments made of leather, or Kevlar, can protect you if you fall. Protect your body from head to toe. Target open spaces. Think of it as an invisible shield. The more space you surround yourself with, the better. That way, you're stay- ing out of drivers' blind spots and avoiding any sudden movements. Cancel those signals. Continu- ing straight ahead? Get used to checking your signals when com- ing up to intersections, ensuring you aren't sending false messages. OPEL added another chapter to its ongoing success story in August with strong growth across Europe. According to preliminary num- bers, the Rüsselsheim-based car- maker increased sales in August by more than 7,300 vehicles, or 12.8% compared to the same period of 2014 to around 64,500 units. Opel therefore outgrew the over- all European vehicle market (plus 4.1%) more than threefold. Opel's market share is up by more than 0.4 percentage points to 5.71%. The overall result for the first eight months of the year is also positive. From January to August, the brand sold over 735,000 vehicles – around four percent or 27,300 units more than during the same period of last year. This is equivalent to a market share of 5.83%. Opel posted an increase in vol- ume in more than 19 European markets for the first eight months of 2015 including Germany (+3%), the UK (+3%), France (+6 %), Spain (+17%), Portugal (+18%), Poland (+18%), Italy (+20%) and Turkey (+34%). Opel recorded its highest market share for August on its home mar- ket Germany since 2011 – with a 7.2 percent share of the overall vehicle market and a 7.5 percent share of the passenger car market. Opel also achieved its best mar- ket share for August since 2011 in the Netherlands (5.8 %) and in the Czech Republic, the company recorded its best market share for August since 2001 (5.31 %). The brand with the Blitz claimed top spot on the Hungarian passen- ger car market in August with a market share of 12.31 %. Further- more, Opel took second place on the Spanish passenger car market in August. One of the reasons behind Opel's success in the first eight months of the year can be credited to the light commercial vehicle section. Sales are up by 25.4 %to 65,350 units compared to the same period of last year. The market share in- creased by more than 0.5 percent- age points to around four percent. All three light commercial vehicle models recorded an increase of sales. Movano sales were up by around 32%, Vivaro sales by more than 34% and the Combo posted an increase of around 14%. Opel is represented in Malta by Cars International in Mdina Road, Qormi. To have a first-hand expe- rience of any Opel car and book a test drive send an email to opel- sales@cil.com.mt or call 2269 2122. You can also visit opel.com.mt or the Facebook page Opel Malta.