Vauxhall has delayed the sales introduction of the Insignia, its crucial Vectra successor, by one month until November to ensure sufficient launch stocks.

Revealing the change, Alain Visser, GM Europe’s chief marketing officer, said: “We know how important the Insignia is to our UK network and the fleet sector. We had anticipated an October sales release but the Insignia will start selling in November to ensure we have the right cars in the right markets across Europe.”

He added: “For the UK that means predominantly hatchbacks. The July London Motor Show’s international unveiling of hatches and saloons is going to plan.”

Visser said the “stunning” estate car variant will make its public debut at the Paris show in September and admitted: “It might have fewer litres of stowage space than its functional Vectra predecessor but the styling more than compensates.”

He said the Insignia and Ford Mondeo could help arrest the decline in the previously “staid and shrinking” upper medium D sector sales, where manufacturers had neglected style.

He said: “The sector needs colour rather than black and white.

“Corporate drivers appreciate sexy designs. ”