VAUXHALL is looking ahead to a bullish new car market this year, following a solid start to 2002.

The manufacturer enjoyed a strong January and February, and Vauxhall managing director Kevin Wale said March orders are 'looking good'.

'We are still forecasting a 2.4 million new car market,' he said. 'I am more bullish and I do not see any indication that the market is slowing.'

Wale added that the run out of old Vectra has been smooth, if anything leaving the company with too few cars to sell, which will have a negative impact on the company's sales in the second quarter of the year until the new model arrives.

For its public debut, Vauxhall/Opel decided to display the Vectra in GTS trim level (the continental equivalent of SRi), powered by a 3.2-litre V6, making it the most powerful Vectra ever with more than 200bhp on tap.

The Vectra range will give drivers the choice of four body styles - saloon, hatchback, estate and Signum - although Signum will not be available until early next year, and the estate only comes on line later in 2003. Vauxhall has already signalled the Signum as its range-topping variant, with Wale promising 'business class travel in comfort and refinement.'

Much earlier down the production line will be the new Astra Convertible Turbo that goes on sale in April, powered by Vauxhall's very lively 190-plus bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.