‘SMARTBEST 2025’: Opel wins AUTOBEST Award for ChatGPT

• Top connectivity: International jury of experts honours Stellantis brands for the introduction of ChatGPT in their vehicles
• Extensive line-up: ChatGPT now available in most Opel passenger cars and LCVs
• Easy access: ChatGPT activated by a simple “Hey Opel”

Opel makes top technologies accessible and affordable for everyone. This has also been recognised by the high-profile international AUTOBEST jury. The journalists from more than 30 countries have now awarded Opel and other Stellantis brands unanimously with the ‘SMARTBEST 2025’ for the introduction of ChatGPT 1 in their models. The award recognises pioneering solutions for onboard connectivity in vehicles.

“We are delighted to receive this award,” said Vanessa Repp, Vice President Future Product at Opel and Vauxhall. “The unanimous vote of the independent journalists shows that we offer vehicles with pioneering technologies that make driving more enjoyable and that at the same time customers can afford. This applies to locally emissions-free electric drives as well as intelligent connectivity solutions such as ChatGPT 1.”

With ChatGPT 1 Opel drivers and passengers have access to a wide range of information from a long list of topics including science, biology, nutrition, pop culture, music and many more. In combination with the navigation system, a "Hey Opel" is sufficient to use natural speech recognition – which has now become even more desirable thanks to the addition of ChatGPT 1. The system can now learn and independently suggest destinations and route guidance based on the habits of the linked driver profile.

Opel is currently rolling out ChatGPT 1 in the new Opel Mokka as well as in many other models like the new Opel Grandland, the Opel Corsa, the Opel Astra, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, the Opel Combo and the Opel Zafira. Furthermore, the Opel Combo and the Opel Vivaro light commercial vehicles are also available with the artificial intelligence chatbot.

[1] This new service uses the power of generative artificial intelligence including the technologies of the SoundHound Chat AI platform. Version 3.5 of ChatGPT uses data dating back to January 2022 at the latest, and therefore has no knowledge of events and data after that date.

Opel CEO Florian Huettl takes additional responsibility as Managing Director of Stellantis Germany

• New combined role aims at overall optimisation business on the German market, profitable growth and strengthening customer orientation for all brands

In addition to his position as CEO of Opel and Vauxhall, Florian Huettl will also be responsible for Stellantis' activities in Germany with immediate effect. This bundling of responsibilities will increase efficiency and support profitable growth in times of comprehensive industry transformation.

“We want to strengthen our organisation in Germany through targeted management and a focus on partnership-based collaboration inside and outside the company. We are therefore pleased that Florian Huettl will be taking over the management of Stellantis’ German business in addition to his role as Opel CEO,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, COO Enlarged Europe and CEO Stellantis Pro One.

“I am very much looking forward to actively and collaboratively managing the German market for Opel and all other Stellantis brands from now on and to further sustainably expand the Stellantis market position. Our clear goal is to work together with our partners to get even closer to our customers and get them excited about the attractive brand portfolios,” said Florian Huettl.

Florian Huettl will succeed Lars Bilalkowski in this role. “We would like to thank Lars Bialkowski for his work over the last few years, which has significantly influenced the success of Stellantis in Germany, and we wish him all the best for the future,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato.

“125 years and not a bit quiet”: Opel at the RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA 2024

• “125 Years of Opel Automobile Construction”: Legendary automobiles from Opel Patent Motor Car System Lutzmann to Opel Aero GT and all-electric Opel Manta GSe
• “40 Years of DTM”: Opel racers from Kadett GSi to “Cliff” Calibra to Vectra GTS V8
• 6 to 8 December: Exhibition at the Nuremberg Trade Fair daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shortly before the end of the year there is a real highlight for car lovers: the classic car fair RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA . It will be held from December 6th to 8th at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre as the “traditional end of the season for driving culture”. Opel has a very special place this year. Because 2024 is the year in which the brand with the lightning bolt will celebrate “125 years of Opel automobile construction” . Opel Classic will be supplying numerous classics for the special exhibition “125 years and not a bit quiet – Opel celebrates 125 years of automobile construction at RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA” – from the Monza GSE to Sepp Herberger’s Rekord B, from the Admiral to the 1899 Patentmotorwagen, the first Opel car produced in-house. They will all delight the audience in Hall 3C – just like Opel Manta GSe . The fully electric concept vehicle with electric drive and Opel Vizor brand face shows what Opel understands by the anniversary motto "Forever Forward since 1899" and how a rich tradition can be combined with inspiring, future-proof mobility. The numerous exhibits of the Opel Classic collection are complemented by other classic cars from the Alt-Opel IG on the stand right next door.

But that's not all: There are further highlights for motorsport fans to experience in Hall 3A of the Nuremberg trade fair. Famous racing touring cars are being presented there in a large special exhibition under the title "40 Years of DTM" . Legendary ITC Opel Calibra V6 4x4 "Cliff", an Astra V8 Coupé and a Vectra GTS V8 are among the most exciting exhibits here. In addition, four historic rally vehicles from Rüsselsheim will be on display, including a 1982 Ascona 400 from the Röhrl/Geistdörfer team.

"RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA has become a magnet for all lovers of vintage cars, youngtimers and neo-classics. A highlight at the end of the year, which we are happy to celebrate with a wide range of anniversary items from '125 years of Opel automobile manufacturing'. Visitors experience the Opel model history in a variety that they will rarely find outside of Rüsselsheim," says Opel Classic Director Leif Rohwedder, inviting visitors to Nuremberg.

RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA opens to the public from Friday, December 6th to Sunday, December 8th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can also look forward to the RETRO NIGHT on the opening day. The event, which runs until 10 p.m. and is already included in the ticket price, features live music as well as interesting greetings and discussions that give an overview of the highlights of the trade fair.

“125 years of Opel automobile construction: Forever Forward since 1899!”

Opel is putting the RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA under the sign of the characteristic lightning bolt to mark the end of the anniversary of "125 years of Opel automobile construction". The Classic department from Rüsselsheim is travelling to Nuremberg with no fewer than 21 automotive rarities from almost every decade of the company's history. At both the "125 years of Opel automobile construction" exhibition in Hall 3C and the "40 years of DTM" in Hall 3A, great classics are just as important as legendary racing cars and concept cars. Here are a few examples that will certainly increase the desire to visit RETRO CLASSICS BAVARIA:

In the spring of 1899, the first automobile manufactured by Opel, the Patent Motor Car System Lutzmann, rolled out of the Rüsselsheim factory - and marked the start of what would become more than 75 million Opel vehicles. The 1,000th vehicle was built in 1906. With models such as the 4/12 hp "Laubfrosch" from 1924, Opel was quick to turn a prestige vehicle for the wealthy into a means of transport for broad sections of the population.

Fritz von Opel, the eldest grandson of the company's founder Adam Opel, is on a very special mission on May 23, 1928. At 10 a.m., a futuristic racing car with wings on the side whizzes along Berlin's Avus. It is the RAK2 with 24 powder rockets in the rear. With it, Opel spectacularly ushers in the rocket age in front of running cameras - and lays the first foundation stone for manned space travel.

Opel's success with series vehicles continued unabated. In 1956, the two millionth vehicle with the lightning bolt rolled off the production line - a Kapitän . To mark the occasion, the company made the "anniversary" a one-off: As a unique flagship of the brand, the cream-white painted Opel model was given a 24-carat gold coating on all decorative and chrome parts.

"Only flying is more beautiful..." - these four words are enough to awaken longings and pure emotions. Just as the slogan went down in advertising history, the advertised car has itself become a timelessly beautiful classic since its launch in 1968: Opel GT. In Nuremberg, visitors can take a look at a particularly unusual example. 1969 Aero GT convertible study with an electrically retractable rear window and removable roof will be on display - one of only two examples produced.

In addition, numerous rally and touring car classics are on display in Hall 3A. One unforgettable example is Opel Ascona 400, in which the exceptional driver Walter Röhrl and his co-driver Christian Geistdörfer first won the 1982 Monte Carlo Rally and then spectacularly won the drivers' world championship. 

Black Opel "Cliff" Calibra is just as legendary: high-tech coupé with a 500 hp V6 engine dominated the 1996 International Touring Car Championship, winning both the constructors' and drivers' titles.

As a desirable sports coupe for everyone, Opel Manta has secured a firm place in Opel history and in the hearts of numerous fans. Opel Manta GSe shows just how true this still is today . It combines the appearance of the style icon with the latest technologies and a locally emission-free electric drive - and wherever it has been driven since 2021, it continues to attract attention with its Opel Pixel Vizor, bright yellow and black paintwork and rejuvenated drive train.