Opel Astra ( ˈoːpəl ˈɑːstra ) is a compact car designed and produced by the German company Adam Opel AG since 1991. Astra (from Latin - "star") is a continuation of the Opel Kadett model line, which was started back in 1962. Opel Astra is also produced under the Vauxhall Astra brand in Great Britain by Vauxhall Motors, which sells upgraded Opel cars with right-hand drive on the local market, Buick Excelle XT - in China, Chevrolet Astra/Vectra - in Latin America. For the American and Canadian markets, the car was produced under the Saturn Astra brand until General Motors canceled the "Saturn" brand in 2009. The Holden Astra produced for the Australian market was also discontinued in 2009 due to its uncompetitiveness due to the high price caused by the difference in currency exchange rates. In 2012, the car returned to the Australian market under the Opel Astra brand, but after a year sales were discontinued. In 2015, sales of three-door versions of the car under the Holden Astra brand began. The Latin American Chevrolet Vectra (Astra H) was discontinued and replaced by the Chevrolet Cruze.