Wednesday 28 November 2018

Happy Birthday: Order Books for Special 120 Years Edition Opel Models with Top Features now Open

  • Made in Germany: Opel celebrates 120 years of car making with great offers
  • Full of features: Lots of Opel passenger cars from ADAM to Zafira in “120 years” trim
  • All in: Park assist, seat and steering wheel heating, IntelliLink mostly standard
  • Attractive conditions: Customer savings on special “120 years” edition models

Opel Grandland X “120 years” edition


Opel will celebrate 120 years of car manufacturing in 2019 and thus 120 years of innovative technologies that the carmaker makes available to a broad range of customers – true to the Opel motto “The Future is Everyone’s”. In order to celebrate this anniversary with its customers accordingly, Opel is launching the “120 years” special editions. Passenger car models such as the small cars ADAM, KARL and Corsa, the bestselling Astra, the sporty SUV family consisting of the Crossland X. the Mokka X and the Grandland X right up to the Zafira compact van and the Insignia flagship will be available in the “120 years” trim and thus come with bundles of state-of-the-art technologies, design and comfort features as standard at attractive conditions. Order books for the special “120 years” edition models are open now.

Opel Corsa “120 years” edition

“Opel has been democratising mobility for 120 years. In our cars, we make trendsetting technologies and features affordable for all groups of buyers. That is what we stand for! And that is why we are offering the special edition ‘120 years’ trim level for so many of our models to mark the start of our anniversary,” said Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director Sales, Aftersales & Marketing.

The special edition trim sits directly above the “Edition” trim and, depending on the model, includes assistance systems such as Park Assist or Cruise Control as standard. Features such as heated seats, heated steering wheel and velour floor mats increase the level of comfort. The “120 years” models become true eye catchers with stylish alloy wheels, chrome elements, door sills with Opel lettering and of course the “120 years” badge. And all this is available at attractive prices. For example, the special edition Corsa is already available from €15,440, prices for the anniversary Astra start at €21,725 and for the Grandland X at €29,200 (all prices RRP including VAT in Germany).


Opel Astra “120 years” edition

Example Opel Astra: The compact Opel bestseller already shines with assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist and Cruise Control as standard in its entry-level version. Air conditioning, thermal glazing and Quickheat heating system are also already on board. Fog lamps and Rear Park Assist are added as standard on the “120 years” variant. Heated front seats and the heated steering wheel along with the sight package including rain sensor, automatic headlamps with tunnel detection and automatic dimming rear-view mirror ensure comfortable temperatures and an increased level of safety on cold and wet days. In addition, Astra 5-door and Sports Tourer drivers and occupants can rely on outstanding connectivity and entertainment thanks to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible R 4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system with seven-inch colour display. The door sills with Opel lettering, 17-inch alloys in 5-twin-spoke design and the “120 years” logo immediately identify the Astra as a special edition model.

Opel Crossland X  “120 years” edition

The “120 years” Opel Crossland X comes with the same inner values as the Astra. Furthermore, the SUV, which was successfully launched last year, features a heated ThermaTec windscreen for a clear view on frosty days. The LED ambient lighting in the centre console and the doors increases the feel-good atmosphere in the dark. On the outside, the “120 year” Crossland X shines with high-gloss black B pillars, a chrome roofline, front and rear silver underride guard look and anthracite-coloured alloys in 4-twin-spoke design. Prices for the “120 years” Crossland X start at €21,650.


Monday 12 November 2018

Double Premiere for Opel Crossland X

  • Premiere #1: Diesel now available with automatic transmission
  • Premiere #2: Leather trim in combination with ergonomic AGR front seats
  • Price: €24,120 RRP including VAT for Opel Crossland X Edition 1.5 Turbo D Automatic in Germany



Opel Crossland X 1.5 Turbo D

With a new addition to the diesel range, Opel now offers the Crossland X for the first time with the strong power and torque of a turbocharged diesel engine combined with the high comfort of a smooth-shifting automatic transmission. The stylish and functional sport utility vehicle (SUV) is thus available with an automatic gearbox on diesel as well as petrol engines. Also making its premiere in the Opel Crossland X is leather trim, which is available as a luxurious option on the Design Line, Innovation and Ultimate equipment versions in combination with ergonomic AGR front seats that are certified by the back specialists from Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.

Opel Crossland X - Leather trim in combination with ergonomic AGR front seats

The new 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel produces 88 kW/120 hp and maximum torque of 300 Nm at 1750 rpm (fuel consumption[1] [2]: urban 4.4-4.3 l/100 km, extra-urban 3.8-3.7 l/100 km, combined 4.0 l/100 km, 105-104 g/km CO2). The engine meets the strict Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard thanks to an innovative oxidation catalyst/NOx adsorber coupled with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). Opel is bringing the new Crossland X 1.5 Turbo Diesel to the market with a six-speed automatic transmission and fuel-saving start/stop as standard.

The cylinder head with integrated air intake manifold and the crankcase of the new 1.5-litre diesel are made of lightweight aluminium, while the four valves per cylinder are activated by dual overhead camshafts. The common rail direct injection system operates at up to 2,000 bar, with fuel entering the combustion chambers through eight-hole injector nozzles.

For optimum exhaust after-treatment, the emissions reduction system – consisting of a passive oxidation catalyst/NOx adsorber, AdBlue injector, SCR catalyst and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) – is grouped together as a compact single unit, as near as possible to the engine. The NOx adsorber acts as a cold start catalyst, reducing NOx emissions at temperatures below the SCR light-off. With this innovative technology the new 1.5-litre diesel meets the strict Euro 6d-TEMP standard for NOx.

Prices for the Opel Crossland X Edition with 88 kW/120 hp 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine begin at €24,120 (RRP including VAT in Germany).




[1] Values measured according to WLTP and converted to NEDC for comparison.

[2] WLTP combined figures (for information only, not to be confused with official NEDC values):

5.5-5.1 l/100 km fuel consumption; 143-135 g/km CO2 emissions.


Friday 9 November 2018

PACE! Plan Works: Opel to be Sustainably Profitable, Electric and Global

  • Initial summary after 12 months is positive: Improved competitiveness in all areas enables return to profitability and investments
  • Product offensive with eight new models in the next two years along with electrification: Fully electric new Opel Corsa plus Opel Grandland X as a plug-in hybrid
  • Focus on strengthening of the brand, light commercial vehicles and development of global markets is showing concrete results

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller with Opel GT X Experimental


Opel/Vauxhall is back on course one year after presenting the PACE! strategic plan. “PACE! works! Opel will be sustainably profitable, electric and global. This is something every employee can be proud of. We have managed to reorganise ourselves in the last twelve months and changed our mindset. We posted a profit of €502 million in the first six months of 2018 and we are continuing to work hard on our success,” emphasised Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.


One important lever for the sustainable economic success is the improved competitiveness in all areas of the company. Opel managed to cut its fixed costs by 28 percent in the first half of the year. Extensive agreements on the improvement of competitiveness were signed with the social partners at all sites. This enabled a significant improvement of the labour costs-to-revenue ratio. The company also delivered on its promise to streamline its senior management: such management positions were cut by a quarter over the course of the last year. Opel clearly stands by its goal of avoiding plant closures. Investments are being made in the various sites and multiple plants have already received new product allocations.

Opel is also increasingly benefitting from the integration into the Groupe PSA. Vehicles based on the shared Multi Energy Platforms are up to 50 percent more cost efficient in development while at the same time improving quality. Extensive synergies are also being achieved in numerous other areas of the company – such as by the creation of integrated sales structures in many European countries, as well as global functions.

In the meantime, the Rüsselsheim Engineering Center has strengthened its position at the core of the Groupe PSA R&D network: In addition to 15 centers of competence with global responsibility (including seats, fuel cells and advanced driver assistance systems) for the entire group, the Rüsselsheim-based engineers also have the lead for the development of light commercial vehicles and a new family of four-cylinder petrol engines. As per forecasted overcapacities going forward due to the decline in third-party assignments, Opel has also announced plans for a strategic partnership with Segula Technologies to safeguard qualified jobs in Rüsselsheim and Dudenhofen. Up to 2,000 Opel employees would join the engineering service provider. The agreed protection against dismissal until July 2023 would remain in place.

CO2 target will be met thanks to increasing level of electrification

Having access to the sophisticated Groupe PSA platforms and propulsion technologies is the foundation for the extensive electrification of the Opel portfolio. Four vehicles will already be electrified in 2020. This includes the new Corsa in a pure battery electric variant, along with the Grandland X PHEV – Opel’s first plug-in hybrid. These vehicles are integral components of Opel’s product offensive:

The company will bring a total of eight new models to market in the next two years. There will be an electric version of every Opel model in 2024 already. “This offensive will strongly contribute to meeting the strict CO2 limits set by the EU,” said Lohscheller. Charging infrastructure is a key enabler for the development of electrification. Therefore, Opel will contribute to a charging infrastructure project at the company’s headquarters together with partners such as the city of Rüsselsheim.

A further key pillar of the PACE! strategic plan is a further strengthening of the brand as well as a clear focus on profitable segments, channel mix and markets. Opel is already giving a preview of the brand image and the design philosophy of the future with the GT X Experimental. Opel will stand even more for the values German, approachable and exciting going forward. “Opel will stay German, Vauxhall will stay British. We will continue to clearly differentiate ourselves from our French sister brands,” added Lohscheller.


First concrete results of the strengthened brand are already visible: Apart from a significantly improved sales channel mix, it was especially the enhanced pricing power that drove the good financial result in the first six months of 2018. Furthermore, customer loyalty has been improved considerably compared to 2016.

Focus on light commercial vehicles to secure increase of market share

Elsewhere, Opel is attacking the profitable light commercial vehicle segment with more vigour than ever before. In the mid-term, the company wants to increase its market to the same level as that in the passenger car segment. This will be made possible by improvements to the dealer contracts (every Opel dealer can now also sell light commercial vehicles) and a completely renewed portfolio. The recently launched new Opel Combo immediately managed to win the prestigious “International Van of the Year” award. Opel has already taken 25,000 orders since the order books opened in mid-September. This means the company has already taken more orders for the new Opel Combo than it had registrations for the predecessor from across Europe in the full year 2017.


Furthermore, the all-new Opel Vivaro will be launched in 2019.

The offensive on non-European export markets is also gaining momentum. New contracts have been signed with strong importers to grow in many countries such as Morocco, Tunisia or South Africa. Already in the course of this month, Opel will start assembly of the Grandland X for the African market in a new plant in Namibia. For the first time, an extensive full service leasing offer – under the roof of the Groupe PSA mobility brand Free2Move – was also launched in the European markets in recent weeks. This will also add further important growth stimulus.

Michael Lohscheller continues to emphasise that the implementation of PACE! remains the highest priority for the entire organisation. “We will continue to put all our efforts into PACE! and we will be sustainably successful as a German brand.”

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Opel: Rüsselsheim Engineering Center to Receive Over 160 Charging Stations for Electric Cars and to Research Charging Infrastructure of the Future


  • Opel targeting leading role in advancement of electric-mobility as part of the PACE! strategic plan
  • Project in the Engineering Center to start in a few months and support creation of an intelligent charging infrastructure for electric-mobility of tomorrow
  • Reflection of mobility situation in Hesse in 2035
  • Participation of the House of Energy think tank run by the Federal State of Hess



  • Opel Ampera-e

    The Engineering Center at Opel’s company headquarters in Rüsselsheim will become a laboratory for electric-mobility: Together with Kassel University, FLAVIA IT and PLUG’n CHARGE, the two latter companies that specialize in charging infrastructure, the carmaker will conduct research into the ideal setup of the electricity grid for the future. The three-year project “E-Mobility-LAB Hessen” is scheduled to receive supportfrom the Hessian Ministry for Economy, Energy, Transport and State Development with funds provided by the European Regional Development Fund. In return, Opel will set up an intelligent charging and infrastructure system for electric cars in its Engineering Center. Installation of the first charging stations at the Opel site in Rüsselsheim and the Test Center in Rodgau-Dudenhofen will already start in a few months.



    In total, more than 160 charging stations, which will charge the electric car fleet of the Engineering Center in future, will be created. Extensive and well-founded simulations of numerous scenarios will be possible based on actual data, ensuring the transferability of the results. The concept was developed together with House of Energy, the think tank of the Hessian energy transition.

    This is a further milestone on Opel’s journey to playing a leading role in electric-mobility – a clear goal of the PACE! strategic plan. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker will have four electrified models in its portfolio by the end of 2020. These will deliver a lot of driving pleasure and will accelerate the demand for electric cars. And by 2024, there will be electrified variant of each model in the Opel line-up.


    “Opel will be electric. We are now creating the required charging infrastructure at our Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim and simultaneously supporting politics and the authorities in the creation of an appropriate charging infrastructure. One thing is clear: electric-mobility will only be a success if vehicle development and expansion of the charging infrastructure go hand in hand,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

    The share of electric vehicles in the manufacturer’s development area will reflect a mobility situation as expected for 2035. With this the project partners want to gain valuable insights into the charging behaviour and requirements relating to the network expansion. Charging current and charging time are adapted according to the particular use of the development vehicles with the help of an intelligent control system. This smart infrastructure will ensure that the entire fleet is always charged appropriately despite the high energy demands of the electric vehicles – and all this with a minimum expansion of the existing electricity grid.

    “The energy transition is underway, now we need to make progress with the transport transition, especially in Hesse where around half of the energy demand can be attributed to transport. That is why we are driving electric-mobility by, amongst others, the widespread support for charging infrastructure. We are delighted that a Hessian carmaker in Opel will be playing an innovative and guiding part in developing the mobility of tomorrow,” said Tarek Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal State of Hesse.

    In addition, a modular battery storage, which will reuse Opel Ampera-e batteries to temporarily store electricity, will be installed in the Test Center Rodgau-Dudenhofen. This so-called stationary “second life” application targets mitigating peak loads and thus stabilizing the electricity grid. A total of 18 vehicle batteries will be reused in the battery storage, which has the storage capacity to a supply a four-person household with electricity for a month.