Inspirational Women at Opel and Stellantis: Maike Seeber and Bilyana Stern Manage the Plants in Rüsselsheim and Kaiserslautern

• New Opel Astra ‘made in Germany’: Plant manager Seeber is proud of new model and the teams at Opel’s headquarters
• Dual role: Bilyana Stern leads Kaiserslautern site and press shop in Rüsselsheim
• Cooperative leadership style: Setting the framework, delegating responsibility, motivating teams to find solutions
• International Women’s Day on March 8: Diversity and equality have a long tradition at Opel

March 8 is International Women's Day. However, equality, diversity and inclusion are not only a top priority at Opel and Stellantis on this annual day of celebration. Instead, these principles are a fundamental part of the corporate culture and a prerequisite for the brands’ and companies’ success. This applies at all levels, from top management to the Women's Perspective Panels in development to production. This stated, Maike Seeber and Bilyana Stern hold key roles in the company.

Seeber has been plant manager in Rüsselsheim since last year and is therefore responsible for the production of the new Opel Astra, which celebrated its world premiere at the beginning of 2026 and has been available to order for a few weeks now. Elsewhere, Stern has a dual role: she manages the press shop in Rüsselsheim and, for the past year, has also been in charge of the Kaiserslautern site, Stellantis' largest component plant for numerous Stellantis brands and sites worldwide. The top priority for both plant managers is to ensure quality and competitiveness ‘made in Germany’. To achieve this, they focus on cooperation, empowerment and each employee’s own personal responsibility.

Precision: The interaction of people, processes and technology must work

For Maike Seeber, the Rüsselsheim plant and the new Opel Astra stand for what fascinates her about the automotive industry: the interaction of people, processes and technology – and a high-quality-vehicle that drives off the assembly line as the result. That is why she spends as much time as possible in the production halls. “To experience first-hand how design, technological innovations, industrial feasibility and the spirit of the Rüsselsheim team come together is something very special. This is precision work to the point,” she emphasises.

What is visible on the line also shapes the plant manager’s everyday work. Her schedule is tight, the topics diverse. The focus is on the ramp-up of the new Astra, with classic production topics determining everyday life: requirements for the supply chain, material availability and a wide range of variants – including the drivetrains. Like all Opel models, the Astra is produced as an all-electric car, hybrid and combustion engine vehicle on a single production line. This also means flexibility and specialist training for employees. “Logistics, which used to be much more stable, is particularly challenging,” says Seeber. “Today it is one of the most volatile areas.” Global supply chains, geopolitical risks and unforeseeable events have fundamentally changed the requirements. Logistics has long since ceased to be a pure planning issue, but a continuous coordination task – with a high level of responsibility for all parties involved.

‘Made in Germany’: Ensuring the quality and competitiveness of the sites

Thus, it is all the more reassuring when cooperation between the individual company locations and divisions runs smoothly. Bilyana Stern plays a key role in this, since she is very familiar with the specific requirements of both sites as head of the press shop in Rüsselsheim and plant manager in Kaiserslautern. “From Kaiserslautern, we supply more than 20 Stellantis sites worldwide. Components from here are used in over 30 models from seven Stellantis brands, giving the site a central role within the company. Our priority is to ensure exemplary quality and thus competitiveness – despite high wages and energy costs in Germany. Because ‘made in Germany’ is important to us. A major goal is to create synergies – for example, through centralised functions for the German plants."

Seeber agrees: For her, the sites are perfect examples of what ‘made in Germany’ must stand for today: high-quality, competitive, efficient and technologically leading production under demanding conditions. Thus, the Rüsselsheim plant is flexibly positioned. At the same time, Opel is increasingly focusing on vertical integration. Work that would previously have been carried out by external service providers now takes place directly in the factory. One example of this is the battery shop, where the final assembly of the high-voltage batteries for all-electric vehicles takes place.

“I came to Rüsselsheim to take the opportunity to actively shape the future of production,” the 42-year-old adds. To successfully put this claim into practice, Seeber can rely on more than two decades of leadership and industry experience gained both nationally and internationally, mainly on the supplier side. “I know the supplier side and what is possible and what is not,” she says. “That helps me to make clear decisions even under demanding conditions.”

Leading cooperatively: Setting the framework, strengthening personal responsibility

The same applies to Bilyana Stern. The 36-year-old can also look back on a diverse international career that took her up to Kuala Lumpur and prepared her through various positions at different companies for the challenges at the multinational component plant in Kaiserslautern. “I have learned how important it is to make quick decisions. 70 per cent planning is enough, then it's time to implement. That still shapes my leadership style today: it's better to try things out and learn quickly than to wait for the perfect setup.”

Agility, efficiency and personal responsibility are important to Stern: “For me, it's about putting people first. I work very closely with my teams, on an equal footing. I demand a lot, but I also encourage a lot. I am present, address issues directly and, at the same time, want to motivate people to take bold decisions on their own responsibility that will move the company forward. For me, leadership means letting others grow, inspiring them and taking them with me on the journey.”

This kind of leadership – not simply making decisions over the heads of their employees but acting cooperatively – characterises both Stern and Seeber. The Rüsselsheim plant manager also focuses on empowerment instead of micromanagement, describing it as follows: “I want the teams to develop solutions themselves. My job is to set the framework and not to take every decision myself.” Especially in a complex environment, it is crucial to transfer responsibility and create learning spaces.

Focus on young talents: Diverse, having equal rights, driven by enthusiasm

„The team shines with a lot of commitment, heart and soul and it lives change,” says Seeber, reporting on her daily experiences. With a view to the future, the plant manager emphasises the importance of the next generation being actively trained at all German sites. Young employees contribute new skills – for example in the areas of artificial intelligence, 3D printing or process automation. Today, for example, the 3D printer is used in the plant to produce tools that would have been outsourced in the past. „This makes it all the more important to give young people confidence at an early age and to give them creative freedom,” says Seeber. And Bilyana Stern adds with regard to women: “Many women often have the feeling that ‘I have to be perfect before I apply.’ But that is nonsense. We just need to show more courage!”

Eye-catching: Opel Corsa YES Special Edition with Extra Features

• Colourful statement: Special edition with exclusive Koral Orange paint and orange accents in the interior from €24,340 (RRP incl. VAT in Germany)
• Stylish YES benefits: Carbon black roof, 16-inch BiColour alloy wheels, digital displays and steering wheel made of vegan leather
• Free choice: Battery-electric, hybrid or with efficient combustion engine
• Serial success: Opel Corsa Germany's best-selling small car for five years in a row

Germany's best-selling small car of the past five years is now becoming even more attractive: Opel is giving the Corsa YES special edition a new extraordinary paint job, which will make the bestseller an absolute eye-catcher, as well as equipping it with further extras as standard. Opel Corsa YES is now available in bright Koral Orange. In addition, the interior comes with colour-coordinated accents as well as other high-quality standard components from digital displays in every drive variant to the vegan leatherette steering wheel. Best of all, even with the extra features and the new metallic paintwork, the Corsa YES will not cost more than before. Opel customers can get into their own Corsa YES from prices starting at €24,340 (all prices RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

"Our Opel Corsa is a customer favourite. Topping its segment for five consecutive years speaks for itself. This success is not least due to the fact that we continuously refresh the allure of the Opel Corsa with new ideas. The best example of this is the new exclusive YES special edition with attractive extras and the eye-catching colour Koral Orange with matching exterior and interior design. With this, Corsa drivers can stand out from the crowd and make a statement," said Patrick Dinger, Head of Opel Germany.

With the exclusive Koral Orange metallic paint finish, the new Opel Corsa YES turns heads from afar. The stylish appearance is underlined by the carbon-black roof and 16-inch alloy wheels in black and silver BiColour Diamond design. Elsewhere, the interior with the black ‘Banda’ seat cover in premium leather look creates a pleasant ambience. With orange stitching and stripes, it also continues the colour theme of the body. The same applies to other orange accents that run through the doors and instrument panel, as well as the black headliner.

The steering wheel, which is flattened at the bottom and is covered with vegan artificial leather as standard in the YES special edition, also stands for comfort with sustainability. The multimedia infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and 7-inch driving information display offers the best entertainment and connectivity. Unlike in other variants, the displays of the Opel Corsa YES are now fully digital at all times – regardless of whether customers opt for a petrol, hybrid or all-electric and thus locally emissions-free drivetrain.

Those who want to upgrade their Opel Corsa YES even further, can opt for the comfort pack with electric parking brake (standard on Opel Corsa Electric YES), middle armrest with storage compartment and two remote control keys for €150. Elsewhere, the new YES tech package with features such as the 130-degree reversing camera, the parking pilot for the front and rear, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, the keyless start system ‘Keyless Start’ and much more ensures even more relaxed driving pleasure from €700. And for all those who prefer a slightly more discreet approach, the Corsa YES is also available in Eucalyptus Green – again with matching stitching, stripes and accents in the door and instrument panel – for an additional €700.

[1] A vehicle's values not only depend on the vehicle's efficient use of fuel, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.

Goosebumps, Speed and Emotions: Opel Corsa GSE Hot Hatch Announced

• OMG! GSE reloaded: New Opel Corsa GSE expands all-electric GSE range
• Hot prospects: Sporty new Opel Corsa top-of-the-range model available to order this year

Opel has announced that it will be expanding its range of all-electric GSE models. Soon, the new Opel Corsa GSE will be giving customers goosebumps, speed and electric emotions. Following the premiere and launch of the Opel Mokka GSE last year, the new Opel Corsa GSE will be the next everyday sports car to bring exciting electric performance to the road. The Opel Mokka GSE has already impressively demonstrated the enthusiasm for all-electric performance vehicles with the GSE badge. Immediately after its launch, it won the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2025’ award as ‘Best Small Car’2.

“Our Opel Corsa is an absolute bestseller. Small, agile and extremely practical, it stands for long-lasting success. The three letters ‘GSE’, on the other hand, stand for battery-electric high-performance and top dynamics. The new Corsa GSE combines both worlds. It is the new all-electric top-of-the-range version of our small car and will offer pure electric and thus locally emissions-free driving pleasure,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

Like the Opel Mokka GSE, the new Opel Corsa GSE will also be based on the current model generation. Germany's most popular small car for five years in a row will feature electrifying design details in its very special GSE way, making it stand out from the crowd. And, of course, it will also deliver on this claim with thrilling, locally emissions-free performance on the road.

Customers will not have to wait much longer to experience the unrivalled GSE feeling in Opel's small car bestseller for themselves: the new Opel Corsa GSE will be available to order in the course of this year. Further information will follow shortly.

[1] The values of a vehicle depend not only on the efficient use of fuel by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.

[2] AUTO BILD issue 47/2025 and BILD am SONNTAG issue 47/2025, category ‘Small Cars’.