Monday, 7 April 2025

Contract Extended: Florian Huettl to remain CEO of Opel and Vauxhall for Three More Years

Florian Huettl will remain CEO of Opel/Vauxhall. The supervisory board of Opel Automobile GmbH has extended the 48-year-old's contract by another three years. Florian Huettl has been at the helm of the Opel and Vauxhall brands since June 2022 and has also led Stellantis' activities in Germany since December 2024.

"Over the past three years at the helm of Opel/Vauxhall, Florian Huettl has demonstrated that he can consistently position the traditional brands for the future, even in challenging times. He is a proven industry expert with outstanding leadership skills and experience in the international market environment. We are convinced that Florian will successfully shape the further development of Opel, Vauxhall and the German Stellantis organisation," said Xavier Chéreau, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH and Chief Human Resources, ESG, ICT & Heritage Officer.

Friday, 4 April 2025

All-New Opel Grandland with Intelli-Air: Allergy Sufferers can Breathe Freely

  • GRAND Air: Highly efficient air quality system with automatic air exchange
  • Effective against hay fever: Powerful activated carbon filters stop unwanted particles
  • Correct behaviour: Tips for what to do when pollen levels are high

All-new Opel Grandland is not just good – it’s GRAND!” The top-of-the-line SUV delivers precisely what the international #GOGRAND campaign promises. This applies to state-of-the-art technologies as well as comfort and safety. This is particularly important for allergy sufferers most of the year and especially in the coming months: clean air in the interior so occupants can breathe freely and always have a clear view without tears in their eyes. This is ensured by the state-of-the-art Intelli-Air ‘Clean Cabin’ air quality system, which is available for all-new Opel Grandland.

Advantages of the interior air quality created by ‘Clean Cabin’ are manifold:

  • It contributes significantly to the well-being of the driver and passengers.
  • Effective cleaning mechanisms prevent annoying itching of the eyes and nose of allergy sufferers and enable all passengers to breathe freely.
  • This increases the safety of all road users.

Intelligent and highly effective: Keeping an eye on interior air quality with Intelli-Air

In the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2024’ 1 winning Opel Grandland an intelligent, particularly effective air quality system called Intelli-Air is optionally available. It combines highly effective air and particulate filters with an air quality monitoring system. It continuously controls the state of the interior air, initiating an automatic exchange when the air becomes stale. The air quality is controlled by the position of the recirculation vent. When the exterior air quality is poor, the car’s air quality sensor (AQS) closes the vent so that no pollutants can enter the car’s interior. However, if the interior air is stale or tainted, e.g. through smoking or dust on clothing, the vent opens to supply the passengers with fresher air.

Thanks to Intelli-Air, the interior air of all-new Opel Grandland remains as clean as possible. The passengers can even see this for themselves: the system informs them of the air quality via the large colour touchscreen. It displays a car-shaped emoji that is based on the international AQI (Air Quality Index). The colour of the emoji changes according to the standard of the air in the interior. The standard of the air in the passenger compartment is monitored by a PM 2.5 sensor that can detect particulates up to 2.5 micrometre in size.

Doubling up: Active carbon combination filters gases and odours

Intelli-Air ensures good air quality standards in all-new Grandland in combination with Opel original particulate and activated carbon combination filters, that are also available in many other Opel models. These consist of two layers and can therefore not only keep particles out the interior, but also filter out odours and gases such as ozone. Best of all, pollen is almost 100 per cent eliminated.

The quality of the filters meets the highest standards. The filter material is water-repellent, which prevents it from freezing in winter or becoming home to bacteria. Despite the high filter performance, good air permeability is ensured. The filter should be changed once every 12 months to ensure clean interior air all year round. A filter management system informs the driver when an exchange is necessary.

Ideal behaviour during pollen season


Everyone can play a part in protecting themselves from a hay fever attack while driving. With high pollen concentration, you should only drive a car with the windows closed and let Intelli-Air and the filters take care of the rest. This also benefits road safety – if drivers have to sneeze more often, the risk of accidents increases. In downtown traffic, for example, a car can travel 20 metres in the time it takes to sneeze; at 100 km/h the driver might not have their eyes on the road for more than 50 metres. It is best to get advice beforehand about the current pollen forecast, for example, from the local weather service.

In addition, motorists should refrain from medication, because the so-called antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Clothes should be taken off in the bathroom, not in the bedroom, and hair washed in the evening so that pollen does not get on the pillow. A rinse with sodium chloride in the morning and evening calms an irritated nose and a damp cloth over the eyes soothes the itching. Furthermore, pollen protection and fine dust grids on windows offer an additional barrier and help keep indoor air clean.

[1] AUTO BILD edition 46/2024 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 45/2024, category ‘Best car under €50,000’.

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Eye-catching and Practical: New Opel Vivaro Electric Sportive

  • Stylish: With sporty stickers, 17-inch alloys and characteristic design elements
  • Standard: Numerous packages with technology and comfort features
  • Locally emissions-free: 100 kW electric motor, 75 kWh battery, up to 352 km range (WLTP1)
  • Workhorse: Up to one tonne payload and 5.8 m3 loading volume
  • Available to order: Opel Vivaro Electric Sportive panel van from €48,500, Vivaro Electric Sportive double cab from €51,500 (RRP excl. VAT in Germany)
Opel Vivaro Electric is not only an all-rounder that fits almost every application profile, it is also the perfect business card for companies – even more so as the stylish new Opel Vivaro Electric Sportive, which can be ordered now. With its characteristic design details, it becomes an eye-catcher on every work trip. In addition, the 4.98 metre long and around 1.90 metre high van, which is therefore fully suitable for underground parking, offers numerous packages with many technology and comfort features as standard in this special edition. Opel Vivaro Electric Sportive is equipped with a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor and 75 kWh battery and can be ordered as a panel van for €48,500 and as a double cab from €51,500 (all prices RRP excl. VAT in Germany).

Van becomes a design statement: ‘Sporty’ styling details

From the outside, the ‘Sportive’ attracts attention with its characteristic vehicle stickers. The sporty black stripes with yellow highlight on the bonnet extends to the Opel Vizor brand face. There, standard LED headlights and LED daytime running lights ensure the best visibility. Bumpers, door handles and the sliding door rail trim are painted in the body colour, the side mouldings and the exterior mirror caps are black. The pattern, which runs along the sides to the rear wheel arches, reflects the sporty striped design of the bonnet. The 17-inch alloys of Opel Vivaro Electric Sportive underline the high-quality look. In the interior both the dashboard and the door panels are held in black.

Dynamic Surround View and navigation system: Numerous packages as standard

Numerous additional packages that are already included as standard represent another advantage for Vivaro Electric Sportive drivers. With many technical and comfort details, they make daily commutes easier, safer and more relaxed.

‘Sight & Light’ package with fog lights and electrically adjustable, heated and folding exterior mirrors not only increases safety, but also practical use with a 12-volt socket in the glove compartment and on the D-pillar on the driver's side. The ‘Sportive’ comes with a highlight in the ‘Dynamic Surround View’ package with the digital rearview mirror. The system consists of two cameras, one above the rear doors and the other under the passenger side mirror. The images captured by the cameras are displayed on the digital screen. While driving, the driver can see the area behind the rear of the Vivaro. When the indicator is activated, the driver can also see the normally lateral blind spot on the passenger side. Compared to conventional mirrors, the system offers a better, more comprehensive overview.

Entire cockpit is designed to be highly ergonomic. With the ‘Connect Nav’ package, Vivaro Electric Sportive drivers have the high-quality IVI high audio system. Routes can be planned using the navigation system with a 10-inch touchscreen. In addition, the digital, colour 10-inch driver information display provides all important information. Features included in the ‘Comfort’ package such as the two-zone automatic climate control, the inductive charging cradle for wirelessly charging compatible smartphones, the keyless system and the heated leather steering wheel also offer car-level comfort. The ‘Winter’ package with seat heating for all seats in the front row also increases the feel-good factor on cold days.

In the panel van and double cab, the height-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and armrest makes the journey even more relaxing. FlexCargo double passenger seat, which is also standard in the ‘Sportive’ panel van, expands the loading space with its through-loading function. And the rear compartment itself has enhanced LED lighting.

No compromises: One tonne payload and 352 kilometres range 

Opel Vivaro Electric Sportive is not only well equipped and stylish – it is also locally emissions-free. With its 75 kWh battery, it enables ranges of up to 352 kilometres between charging stops (WLTP 1). And if the electric transporter needs additional energy, it can be quickly charged with alternating current using the standard three-phase 11 kW onboard charger. At a 100 kW direct current fast charging station, a “break stop” of around 45 minutes is necessary to charge to 80 percent of the battery capacity. With all of this, the commercial vehicle all-rounder makes no compromises as a load carrier: Opel Vivaro Electric panel van offers up to 5.8 cubic meters of loading volume and up to one tonne of payload.

[1] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.