- From sewing machine manufacturer to one of the biggest European car makers
- Since its founding, Opel always synonymous for affordable mobility
- Leadership role in futuristic E-mobility market
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A tribute to industrial history: Adam Opel statue in front of main gates in Rüsselsheim |
Opel celebrates this year 150th anniversary. In 1862, the founding father, Adam Opel, could hardly have envisaged that his firm would one day become one of the biggest car makers in Europe.
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The founding father Adam Opel (1837-1895) |
In the year 1862, Adam Opel uses his father’s
locksmith workshop in Rüsselsheim, Germany, to make sewing machines. The
business takes off. Soon bicycles are sold and in 1886, the first bike, the
“Velociped” model has its market launch. Bicycles from Rüsselsheim quickly
become popular. By the middle of the nineteen-twenties, Opel has established
itself as the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer. In the meantime, motorbikes
have also been added to the list of products. Opel’s automotive history starts
in 1899, making it the second-oldest car maker in Germany after Daimler-Benz.
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First car made in Rüsselsheim: Opel Patent motorcar Lutzmann system (1899) |
In the fall of 1902, Opel
presents the “Lutzmann motorcar patent” with a 10/12 hp engine. The cars soon
enjoy growing popularity: by 1906 already more than 1,000 such vehicles have rolled
off the production line. By 1914, Opel has overtaken all its competitors and is
the biggest car maker in Germany. The brand makes a name for itself as a maker
of popular and affordable blockbuster models such as “Doktorwagen” (1909) or
“Puppchen” (1914). These models lay the foundations for Opel’s company ethos of
delivering high quality, reliable and affordable vehicles for a wide segment of
customers.
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Opel car production - Assembly hall in Rüsselsheim (1906) |
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Legendary Opel 4/12 hp earned the nickname 'Laubfrosch' (1924) |
The 1920s embody the trailblazing spirit of Opel which
endures to this day. This is the era of the “Laubfrosch” (engl. tree frog) and
“Rakete” (engl. rocket) vehicles. The small 4/12 hp is known by its nickname
“Laubfrosch” or “tree frog” because it is painted in bright green colors. In
1924, Opel is the first German car maker to use an automated assembly line. In
addition, the company starts carrying spectacular rocket tests that grab the
headlines. For example, in 1928 Opel’s
rocket car breaks the land speed record on the Berlin Avus race track. Fritz
von Opel achieves a speed of 238 km/h; a sheer unimaginable feat in those days.
One year later Opel takes to the skies: its Opel Sander RAK 1 takes off from a
large plaza in Frankfurt, making it the first ever publicly manned rocket flight,
albeit a short one.
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Fritz von Opel, also known as 'Rocket Fritz' breaks land speed rekord with Opel Sander RAK 2 (1928) |
1929 marks the start of tough times for the car
industry. Millions lose their jobs in the global economic crisis. The world
economy collapses like a house of cards in at the end of the “roaring
twenties”. However, Opel reacts quickly and finds a strong partner in the
American giant, General Motors. The car maker from Rüsselsheim is able to
consolidate its market position and in 1935 is able to raise its annual output
to above the 100,000 vehicles mark. Among the products is the new “Blitz” truck
which is made at the Brandenburg plant. At that time the Rüsselsheim car maker
launch a technical innovation: the Olympia is the first German production
vehicle with a self-supporting body only made from steel. A year later, the
company lays the foundations for a 75 year success story in the compact class that
reaches all the way to the present. Starting at the first Kadett, there is an
almost seamless tradition to the present day with the Astra family. By 1936,
Opel is the biggest car manufacturer in Europe with an annual output of over
120.000 vehicles.
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Start of the compact segment: First Opel Kadett rolls off Rüsselsheim assembly line (1936) |
After civilian
production was suspended in the war year, Opel resumes its work in the period
of Germany’s reconstruction. The German economic miracle is associated with
many Opel model names such as the Olympia, Olympia Rekord, Rekord P1 and the
Kapitän, while many households are equipped with Opel fridges called
“Frigidaire” to keep their food fresh. In 1962, which coincides with Opel’s 100th
birthday, the second plant of the brand is opened in Bochum, where the new
Kadett is produced. In the nineteen-sixties numerous new models are born that
consolidate Opel’s sporty and emotional reputation, including the legendary and
iconic Commodore, Manta and GT models. Opel also has a strong presence in the
upper segment with its prestigious KAD line-up (Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat)
which are later replaced by the Senator and Monza.
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Opel Olympia on its way to the Glossglockner moutain in Alps (1955) |
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Opel Kadett A assembly in Bochum (1962) |
In 1971, the tenth millionth Opel rolls off the
assembly line. In that year, Georg von Opel who drives an Opel GT breaks the
speed record for battery propulsion by reaching 188 km/h. This is evidence that
Opel has the topic of electro mobility on its agenda – decades before anybody
has even thought of it. Nowadays Opel is a pioneer in this field: the 111 kW
(150 hp) Ampera which is fitted with the revolutionary range extender is the
world’s first production electric vehicle not limited to battery-related range.
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'Only flying is better' - This advertising slogan is almost famous as the racy Opel GT |
In 1972, Opel is Germany’s most successful car maker.
A new range of models is born in Rüsselsheim which focuses on safety,
consumption and environmental friendliness. The fifth Kadett generation which
appears with front wheel drive for the first time has a drag co-efficient as
low as CD 0.39, making it one of the most aerodynamic compact cars.
These record breaking figures are continued with the Omega A (CD
0.28) and the Calibra (CD 0.26). In the 1980s the subject of emission
control becomes a focal point. Opel is among the pioneers. The Rüsselsheim
brand is the first German company to offer a complete fleet with catalytic
converters. From 1989, all its models are fitted with this technology.
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Opel Omega A (1986) |
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Opel Calibra (1989) |
In 1991, the Opel
safety system has its debut in the Astra. It comprises side impact protection,
supports in the seats and belt tensioners. The brand once again shows that it
is a trend setter with the new Frontera. The leisure vehicle is one of the
predecessors to the SUV movement and rapidly rises to the position of segment
leader. In 1992, Opel opens the gates of its Eisenach plant – at the time the
most modern plant in the world. Then Opel launches several models: 1997 Opel
becomes the first European manufacturer to offer an economical three cylinder
by bringing the Corsa to market. In 1999, the Zafira makes its debut. The
Rüsselsheim company lays the foundations for the booming compact monocab
segment and sets new standards for flexibility in the interior of family
vehicles. Also in that year, Opel celebrates a glamorous product jubilee: 50
million Opel cars have so far left its auto plants.
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Opel Astra F - side impact protection (1991) |
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Opel Astra F - seats and belt tensioners (1991) |
With the launch of the Insignia in 2008, Opel carries
out a repositioning of the brand. The new flagship models start a new brand
philosophy: to combine sculptural artistry with German precision. This idea is
continued with the recent Zafira Tourer and the Astra GTC.
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Opel Insignia assembly in Rüsselsheim (2009) |
Opel and its British
sister brand Vauxhall now sell cars in more than 40 countries. The company has
a workforce of around 40.500 at plants and engineering centers in six European
nations. In the year 2010 alone, Opel/Vauxhall sold more than 1.1 million cars
and light commercial vehicles and achieved a market share of 6.2 percent in
Europe. With the launch of the electric Ampera, the traditional brand starts a
new segment in the European automotive industry and underscores its role as a
trendsetter for progressive mobility solutions.
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