Russia's AEB industry body is hopeful that sales will recover in contrast to the same period last year when coronavirus lockdowns paralyzed demand.

The March sales figures are a welcome development after months of Europe's car market lagging behind the recoveries seen in China and the U.S.

Sales outside of Europe represent 8 percent of Opel's total volume.

The incentives follow announcements of government plans to promote the domestic production of battery-powered cars as well as car batteries.