30 Years Opel in Eisenach: Visitors Enjoy Open Day

• Opel cars produced in Thuringia since 1992
• Prime Minister Ramelow and Opel CEO Huettl celebrate with employees and visitors
• Eisenach stands for top-quality Opel bestsellers and modern production
• Opel Grandland plug-in hybrid is first electrified model at Eisenach plant

Opel models have been rolling off the production line in Eisenach for 30 years. Thirty years that have shaped the car manufacturer and the entire region. Opel is celebrating this anniversary today with a ceremony and an open day for all families and friends of the brand.

Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow and Opel CEO Florian Huettl opened the festivities with the ceremony. Representing 30 years of Opel in Eisenach, they spoke to 30 employees and 30 other invited guests.

“Eisenach has always stood for living history and progressive development. This is shown by the Wartburg as a landmark as well as automobile production. After reunification, Opel was one of the first West German car manufacturers to become involved in the new federal states – with great success. Today, the plant can look back on 30 years and 3.7 million vehicles that have rolled off the production line here. The many companies from the automobile industry are an important economic factor and the plant in Eisenach especially embodies that in Thuringia future has tradition”, said Minister President Bodo Ramelow.

Opel CEO Florian Huettl said: “With the new plant in Eisenach, Opel strengthened the region at the time and revitalised one of the most traditional German automotive locations. Since then, bestsellers have been produced here in first-class, almost proverbial Eisenach quality.” At the same time, the plant is fit for the future; “With the Opel Grandland plug-in hybrid, an electrified model is rolling off the production line in Thuringia for the first time.”

In addition to top vehicle quality, a key to the success of the Eisenach plant is environmental management, which has been a priority at the site from the very beginning. A success story that goes into the next round with electrified vehicles. “And that is why we are celebrating 30 years of Eisenach today under the motto 'Family and Friends'” said Huettl.

Almost all models produced in Eisenach since 1992 were on display – from the former Opel Astra generation and the best-selling Corsa small car, to the stylish ADAM and the brand's current top SUV, the Opel Grandland. In addition, Opel Classic presented further highlights from the company's 160-year history. Visitors could also take a test drive. The “Eisenach” Grandland, the compact SUV Mokka-e and the new Opel Astra were ready and waiting. There was much more for young and old to discover. Driving a forklift truck required a lot of skill. Plant fire brigade presented its technical equipment and the unique red Rocks-e also paid a visit to the factory. 

In the paint shop, a car body was waiting to be painted in bright colours and patterns. In addition, a varied children's programme and numerous other entertainment options made the open day at the Eisenach plant an experience for the whole family.

Jubilee in Thuringian Plant: 30 Years of Opel in Eisenach

• After reunification: Opel one of the first carmakers in the new federal states
• “Opel counts on Eisenach”: Cars with Blitz leave plant in top quality since 1992
• Youngest “Eisenacher”: Opel Grandland SUV only produced in Eisenach
• Big jubilee: Celebration and open day on Saturday, September 17

Thirty years ago, Opel opened a plant in Eisenach that stands for the most modern production conditions and the highest quality. Since then, many Opel bestsellers from the Astra to the Corsa to the ADAM have left the Thuringian factory. Today, brand's top SUV model, Opel Grandland, rolls off the assembly line; electrified as a plug-in hybrid with highly efficient combustion engines. 30 years of Opel in Eisenach means 30 years of pioneering spirit and automobile production in one of the most modern plants in Europe. On Saturday, September 17, Opel is inviting all families and friends of the brand to an open day, and the official ceremony that takes place beforehand will be attended by the Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow and Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

“Eisenach has stood for the finest quality for 30 years. At this traditional automobile production site, employees have manufactured numerous Opel bestsellers for delivery to customers. With the production of the Opel Grandland and the Grandland plug-in hybrid on an advanced Multi-Energy Platform, Eisenach is an important part of our electrification offensive,” says Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

“For more than 30 years, our team spirit has driven us to top performance time and time again,” explains Plant Manager Jörg Escher. “Since opening in 1992, the plant and the employees have repeatedly set standards with innovative spirit and drive, even in economically challenging times. This solidarity continues to distinguish us. For Opel and above all for our customers.”

Opel among the first West German carmakers in the new federal states

On September 23, 1992, with former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the employees in attendance, the first ever Opel Astra “made in Eisenach” drove off the production line. The plant soon became one of the most modern in the world in terms of environmental sustainability, manufacturing technology and production systems. And it is also an integral part of the city and the region.

Only eight months after start of production of the Astra, the first Corsa drove off the production line in 1993. First Corsa “made in Eisenach” is also the first ever Corsa “made in Germany”. Previously, it had only been built in the Spanish plant in Zaragoza. 

In 2012, the small car welcomed a brother to its home – the stylish Opel ADAM, which was produced in Eisenach until May 2019. €190 million had been invested in the plant for its production.

After reunification, Opel is one of the first West German carmakers to commit itself to the new federal states. Simultaneously the company laid the foundations for the revitalization of automotive production in the region by opening the new plant and investing more than one billion Deutsch Mark. Furthermore, Opel also created numerous new jobs, also within the supplier industry.

Company is the first European manufacturer to introduce completely new manufacturing methods when the new Opel production system was implemented. It is based on five guided principles: employee involvement, continuous improvement, quality control from the start, standardization and short throughput times thanks to smooth logistics.

Opel plant in Eisenach has also been setting standard in environmental management since its opening. Recycling loops to re-use production residues or a state-of-the-art water retreatment plant are just two examples of the sustainable system.

During all these years, the Eisenach plant “reinvented” itself again and again. The small-car bestseller Opel Corsa was manufactured here until 2019, but now the employees at the plant produce the current top Opel SUV – the Grandland, which is also the first electrified Blitz model from Eisenach.

A glimpse behind the scenes

On Saturday, September 17, a ceremony with Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow and Opel CEO Florian Huettl will open the anniversary celebrations for “30 years of Opel Eisenach”. At the open day between 10.00 and 15.00 CET, visitors will have the opportunity to learn something about the eventful history of the plant up close. In the three production areas they will receive interesting information about the production of the Opel Grandland. Outside the halls, all the models previously manufactured in Eisenach will be presented, plus many other highlights from Opel's 160-year history.

Start of production for the new Opel Grandland in Eisenach

• Start of production with Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz
• Opel is consistently continuing its electrification strategy with the new Grandland
• New Opel Grandland with digital Pure Panel cockpit and innovative assistance systems

Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (right) with the new Opel Grandland Hybrid4

Starting shot for the new Opel Grandland in Eisenach: Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow were on site in Eisenach today when the German manufacturer's first SUV flagship rolled off the assembly line. At the start of series production, an Opel Grandland Hybrid4 in Ultimate equipment with electric all-wheel drive and a system output of 221 kW / 300 PS was produced in the Thuringian plant (fuel consumption according to WLTP 1 : 1.3-1.2 l / 100 km, CO 2 - Emissions 31-29 g / km; combined, efficiency class A +).

"Packed with innovative technologies, with the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit and a highly efficient drive portfolio including two plug-in hybrids, the new Grandland will give us further momentum," says Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz at the Eisenach plant. "I'm already looking forward to seeing our SUV flagship at dealerships in February and then in customer hands."

Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (left) and Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (right) with the new Opel Grandland Hybrid4

"We are pleased that the new Opel Grandland can now roll off the production line here in Eisenach," emphasizes Xavier Chéreau, Opel supervisory board chairman and Stellantis HR manager. "The social dialogue has once again led to constructive solutions that benefit the competitiveness of the location - which is all the more important in view of the far-reaching change in the automotive industry."

“Team did a fantastic job despite many pandemic-related restrictions. With the new Grandland we are opening another chapter in the successful history of the plant. We are pleased to now deliver Opel's SUV flagship in the usual Eisenach top quality, ”says plant manager Jörg Escher.

Opel is continuing its electrification strategy with the new Grandland and is offering two plug-in hybrids: System output of the Grandland Hybrid is 165 kW / 224 PS; in addition, it delivers a maximum torque of 360 Newton meters (fuel consumption according to WLTP: 1.4-1.3 l / 100 km, CO 2 emissions 32-30 g / km; combined, efficiency class A +). Power is sent to the front axle via a convenient eight-speed automatic. As a 4x4 variant with an additional electric motor on the rear axle, Opel Grandland Hybrid4 even offers a system output of 221 kW / 300 PS and a powerful 520 Newton meters of maximum torque.

Opel Grandland Hybrid4

At an attractive entry-level price of 28,790 euros (RRP including VAT), the new Grandland in the Business Edition has numerous state-of-the-art assistance systems. Standard repertoire includes the front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistant, traffic sign and drowsiness detection as well as the cruise control with intelligent speed limiter.

Opel Grandland Hybrid4: Interior with Pure Panel - fully digital cockpit

With the new Pure Panel, drivers and passengers can also enjoy a fully digital cockpit world. Smartphones can be easily connected to the infotainment systems via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Another real highlight is the optionally available adaptive IntelliLux LED Pixel light with a total of 168 LED elements, which, like the Night Vision system, is celebrating its premiere in the Grandland. In addition, the new Grandland shines with the new brand face, the Opel Vizor.

[1] Fuel consumption and CO 2 emission values ​​mentioned were determined using the WLTP test procedure and converted into NEDC values ​​in order to ensure comparability with other vehicles (Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007, Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1153 and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1151).