10. Paul Pietsch Classic: Sporty Opel icons and the top-of-the-range Opel Astra GSe inspire spectators

• Fantastic: "Sporty Opel icons from three decades" on the road through the picturesque Black Forest
• “Only flying is nicer”: Opel Head of Communications Harald Hamprecht and auto motor und sport chief reporter Jörn Thomas on the road in the Opel GT
• Tradition meets innovation: Field of participants is led by the new Opel Astra GSe

Picturesque Black Forest villages, scenic landscapes and in the midst of them classic cars that are second to none: Last week the 10th Paul Pietsch Classic came to an end in the most beautiful spring weather. Participants drove into the market square in Offenburg in Baden with their shiny vintage cars to great applause. In line with the anniversary rally, Opel was there with “sporting icons from three decades”. Opel GT, Commodore GS/E, Kadett GT/E and Corsa GSi had already attracted the attention of fans on the winding routes through the Black Forest - just like the Opel Astra GSe (fuel consumption according to WLTP 1 :1.2-1, 1l/100km, CO2-Emission 26-25 g/km; each combined). The new top model of the Astra series led the field on both days and showed how tradition and modern, locally emission-free driving fun can be optimally combined.

"Paul Pietsch Classic is one of the most beautiful vintage car rallies in Germany and is always an experience," enthuses Opel Head of Communications Harald Hamprecht, who drove in a 1969 Opel GT together with auto motor und sport chief reporter Jörn Thomas. “The routes through the picturesque valleys and over the Black Forest heights are more fun with every kilometer. It is a pleasure to be able to honor the passionate racing driver and car enthusiast Paul Pietsch. At Opel, we also live the love of the automobile every day - and continue it with exciting, modern and electrified models such as our new Astra GSe."

Dream vehicles on dream routes: Around 120 teams in Offenburg at the start

With varied routes to the Kaiserstuhl and – on day 2 – past Freudenstadt and through the Kinzig Valley, the regularity rally was once again in the tradition of its namesake. Born in Freiburg, Paul Pietsch was not only one of the founders of Motor Presse Stuttgart, but also a Grand Prix driver. As befitting, the Hamprecht/Thomas team circled an Opel GT over the winding climbs and descents. The yellow and black GT from 1969, which can reach speeds of up to 185 km/h, with its unusual "Coke Bottle" design, still lives up to the slogan "Only flying is nicer" even today.

Jörg Mannsperger, Managing Director of Motor Presse Stuttgart, and Opel Classic Manager Leif Rohwedder were in no way inferior. The duo covered the stages through the high and northern Black Forest in style in an Opel Commodore GS/E Coupé "Rallye Monte Carlo 1973". The specimen is a homage to rally ace Walter Röhrl, who made his debut 50 years ago with his co-driver Jochen Berger with such a sports coupé in the Irmscher team at the Monte Carlo Rally. The field of "sporty Opel icons" was completed this weekend by an 85 kW/115 hp Opel Kadett GT/E of the 1000 series and a top speed of up to 190 km/h, as well as a Corsa GSi from 1989. The sporty top model of the first Corsa generation was made as a manoeuvrable, lively small car to drift through the tight corners.

New Opel Astra GSe also showed its potential. With a system output of 165 kW/225 hp and a maximum torque of a powerful 360 Newton meters, the "Grand Sport electric" sets standards. With sharp, GSe-typical design highlights and innovative technology such as a special chassis lowered by 10 millimeters including KONI-FSD suspension technology (Frequency Selective Damping), it conveys precise, pure driving pleasure - and in a responsible manner. Thanks to the plug-in hybrid drive with a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, Astra GSe drivers can cover up to 64 kilometers with zero local emissions according to WLTP 2 (EAER City according to WLTP 2 : 69‑73 km).

[1] The values ​​were determined using the more realistic test procedure WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure), which replaces the test procedure with reference to the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). The WLTP values ​​are also the basis for calculating vehicle-related taxes. A vehicle's consumption, CO 2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behavior and other non-technical factors. Further information on the official fuel consumption and the official specific CO 2 emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the "Guide to fuel consumption, the CO 2-Emissions and power consumption of new passenger cars” which is available free of charge at www.dat.de. The information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is not part of the offer, but is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.

[2] The specified range was determined using the WLTP test procedure (Regulation (EG) No. 715/2007 and VO (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range may vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular personal driving style, road conditions, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

9. Paul Pietsch Classic: Opel classics inspire the spectators

• It couldn't be nicer: traveling in timeless Opel vintage cars on dream routes
• Arouse emotions: Participants and spectators celebrate legendary automobiles
• Promo on Tour: Jockel Winkelhock piloting Opel Kadett GT/E Warmbold/Pitz

Opel Kadett GT/E

A dream tour of a special kind came to an end in saturday on the market square in Offenburg. In the most beautiful early summer weather and pleasant temperatures, 128 classic cars started the 9th Paul Pietsch Classic over the past two days . In the anniversary year of "160 years of Opel" , field was led by all-new Opel Astra. 

All-New Opel Astra

Behind them in the field of participants were legendary Opel models such as Kadett GT/E, Commodore A Coupé and Kadett GSi – with prominent drivers on board. British touring car champion and Le Mans winner Joachim Jockel” Winkelhock the scenic route. On day 1, it led through the Kinzig and Elz valleys in the High Black Forest and on the second day over the Bühlerhöhe in the direction of Baden-Baden in the northern Black Forest.

Jockel Winkelhock with Opel Kadett GT/E

“I am a 'repeat offender' out of conviction at the Paul Pietsch Classic. Routes along the picturesque Black Forest towns and little rivers as well as over the lush green hills are a lot of fun. Whole thing is topped when you sit in a rally classic like the Opel GT/E,” enthuses Opel driver Jockel Winkelhock.

Opel Kadett GSi Rallye

Opel Head of Communications Harald Hamprecht, who started in a Rallye Opel Kadett GSi together with Auto Motor and Sport Editor-in-Chief Michael Pfeiffer, adds: “Paul Pietsch Classic is one of the most beautiful vintage car rallies in Germany – in one of our most beautiful regions country. We are honoring Paul Pietsch, the racing driver and one of the founding publishers of Motor Presse Stuttgart. And we are also celebrating 160 years of Opel in the year of the new Astra. Our tradition is very important to us. It is our duty and a matter close to our hearts to look after them.”

Blessed with fantastic routes and wonderful views, the regularity rally was entirely in the tradition of Paul Pietsch, who gave its name and was born in Freiburg. At the same time, the former Grand Prix driver was one of the founders of Motor Presse Stuttgart and regularly made the route from his native Black Forest to the publishing house into old age. Managing director of Motor Presse Stuttgart, Jörg Mannsperger, took the opportunity to drive in a famous Blitz model together with Opel Classic manager Leif Rohwedder. Duo completed the 15 special stages in an Opel Commodore A Coupé known for its particularly smooth-running 2.5-litre straight-six.

Opel Commodore A Coupé 

!NEW! GM Holden Appoints Chairman and Managing Director; Announces 24 Major Vehicle Launches By 2020

• Mark Bernhard returns to Holden
• Holden to deliver product onslaught

Mark Bernhard will return to Holden as Chairman and Managing Director, General Motors (GM) Executive Vice President and President of GM International, Stefan Jacoby, announced today.

Mr Bernhard began his career in the automotive industry at Holden in 1986, undertaking senior finance roles across GM’s global operations, over the past four decades. He is a former CFO of GM Holden and his current position is Vice President and CFO of Shanghai GM.

Mr Jacoby said that given his background and experience, Mr Bernhard is the right person to lead GM Holden.

“Mark’s knowledge of GM Holden, our region and GM’s global operations will serve him well in his new role,” Mr Jacoby said.

“He will champion the ongoing transition of GM Holden to a National Sales Company and the repositioning of the Holden brand for long-term growth and profitability.”

Mr Bernhard briefly visited Australia today to speak with GM Holden dealers and will take up his new role in the third quarter this year.  He will succeed GM Holden Interim Managing Director and CFO Jeff Rolfs.

“I want to thank Jeff for taking on leadership of GM Holden on an interim basis. Once the transition with Mark is complete, Jeff will continue to play an important role at GM Holden as CFO,” Mr Jacoby said.

Mr Jacoby also announced details of Holden’s major new vehicle launch program, delivering 24 major new vehicle launches and 36 new powertrain combinations over the next five years.

Holden Barina Spark 

“GM is investing significantly to broaden the Holden product portfolio and deliver world-class vehicles,” Mr Jacoby said.

New Opel KARL

“Holden is accessing GM’s global operations to assemble its biggest and best ever product line-up. This new model onslaught will ensure Holden has world-class products in every major segment – a true customer-driven product strategy.  

Holden Captiva 5 SUV

Holden Captiva 7 SUV

“While I can’t reveal all the details, I can say that Holden will debut an all-new Barina Spark in the first quarter of 2016, launch a global Captiva replacement and another all-new, world-class SUV to ensure comprehensive offerings in the crucial SUV market segment.  

New Buick Envision SUV

“Supporting this product onslaught is the bold, new Let’s Go There brand campaign and an ongoing commitment to achieving best-practice customer service.” 

Today’s announcements demonstrate GM’s commitment to Holden and reveal further details about Holden’s long term strategy. In the past 12 months, Holden has also announced: 

Coming to Australia and New Zealand: Holden Astra VXR, Insignia VXR and Cascada convertible

• Cascada convertible, Astra VXR hatch and Insignia VXR sedan will launch in 2015;
• Holden vehicles will continue to be tuned and tested for Australian conditions and customers with the retention of the famous Lang Lang Proving Ground in Victoria;
• Holden’s Global Design centre continues to contribute to local and global product programs;
• More than one-third of Holden’s future product portfolio will be sourced from Europe;
• The esteemed Commodore nameplate will live on with Holden’s next-generation large car; and
• Holden will have a true sports car in its future product portfolio.

Mark Bernhard Biography

Mark Bernhard is currently vice president and chief financial officer of Shanghai GM in Shanghai, China, a position he has held since November 2011. He also was a member of the GM-SAIC joint venture’s Executive Committee.

Mark Bernhard

Mark began his GM career with GM Holden in 1986, holding various positions in the Finance function.

He relocated to Zurich, Switzerland, in 1996 as Manager of Budgets and Consolidation for the then GM International Operations. In 1998, Mark was appointed Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis for GM International Operations in Detroit. Two years later, he took on the role of Director of Special Projects at GM Asia Pacific in Singapore, working on the acquisition of Daewoo Motor Company.

In 2002, Mark became Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Shanghai GM. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the GM China Group in 2005. He returned to Australia in 2007 as CFO and Executive Director of Finance for GM Holden, navigating the global financial crisis.

Mark has a Bachelor of Business (accounting) degree from Monash University, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Deakin University. He is an FCPA with CPA Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Mark received the Silver Magnolia Award from the Shanghai Municipal Government, which is given to expatriates for their contribution to the economic development of the city. He also received the 2014 Australia China Alumni Award for Banking and Finance.

!NEW! “Opel the Reliable“: From Gasoline Wagon to Astra Sports Tourer

• Since 1907: Opel Gasoline Wagon’s sobriquet is “The Reliable“
• Five-decade lifespan: Advertising slogan from the 1930s to the 1980s
• Endurance test success 2013: Trade journal calls Astra “Opel, the most reliable”
• 13^th Classic Car Event: Opel Quick Delivery Wagon meets Sports Tourer at the Opel Villas

The terms Opel and reliability are intrinsically tied to one another. In its recent 12/2013 issue, the respected trade journal auto motor und sport declared “Opel, the most reliable“, describing the best compact endurance test car of all time – an Astra Sports Tourer 2.0 CDTI that did not have one single technical fault over the entire distance of 100,000 km. Opel Vice President Quality Thomas Simon says, “Typical Opel values are precision, efficiency and reliability.” Opel has a long tradition of quality, as the first cars with combustion engines from Rüsselsheim very quickly earned a reputation for being “reliable”. At a time when Otto engines still had to compete against steam and electric propulsion drives (!), the first Opel cars were convincing with their faultless operation and safe arrival at their destination.

 Opel Astra Sports Tourer CDTI BiTurbo (2013) and Opel Olympia CarAvan 'Schnelllieferwagen' (1953) 

At the beginning of the 1930s the brand embraced its good reputation and developed “Opel the reliable” in the form of a logo. From 1936 the ad slogan was used for all model lines. Then, during the time known as the economic miracle, the slogan really came into its own. From the Quick Delivery Wagon (Schnelllieferwagen) Olympia Rekord to the Rekord Cabriolet and stately Opel Kapitän – all starred in ads and in the cinema advertising that wildly popular at the time under the motto “The Reliable”. The 1950s were Opel years, when the brand rose up out of the ruins of the bombed Rüsselsheim plant to become a prestigious brand of the postwar period.

Opel Olympia CarAvan 'Schnelllieferwagen' (1953) and Opel Astra Sports Tourer CDTI BiTurbo (2013)

In the 1960s the advertising became more colorful, the model offer more extensive and the engines larger – the claim “Opel the reliable”, however, remained. The quality promise stood loyally to the new Kadett, even though the main message in its advertising was already “Opel Kadett - in a word, O.K.” Slowly but surely new messages crowded out the classic claim: “Opel Kadett. The car” or “Opel Rekord – the upscale mid-size class” were emblazoned on the posters. At least the logo got a tiny addition: under the blitz was now written “tested reliability”.

Opel Olympia CarAvan 'Schnelllieferwagen' (1953)

Yet the slogan from the 1930s again celebrated a comeback until well into the 1970s. The seal of quality “Opel the reliable” again adorned ads for the Rekord and Commodore! With a new design, it was also the ideal supplement to “ADMIRAL – the fast touring car” (to 1976). It was after that that traces of the original claim are lost. Instead, advertisers bet on the appeal of powerful V8 engines (“Badge for advanced drivers”, “For fast horse enthusiasts”) or the sportiness still ubiquitous today (“Opel Manta. Because you know what driving is about”, “Opel Manta. If conventional cars are too boring for you“).  

The new plan is called QUALITY!2022

But Opel never lost sight of the term reliability, remaining true to its tradition. Which is why Thomas Simon explains the strategy for the coming years as follows: “We are already on the right track with the quality offensive we began in 2007 – as the result of the auto motor und sport endurance test impressively shows. In addition, we have drawn up the plan QUALITY!2022 as an important component of our overall strategy DRIVE!2022. Our ambitious but realistic goal is to take over quality leadership in the automotive industry. Customer satisfaction with the product, service and the entire experience at all points of contact with the brand is the be-all and end-all.”

The past, the present and the future all come together at Opel under one common denominator – “Opel the reliable”. The German automaker also demonstrates this at the 13^th Classic Car Event at the Opel Villas in Rüsselsheim this coming Sunday, June 30. In the illustrious circle of beautiful Opel classic cars there will also be two special vehicles parked next to each other – the legendary Opel Schnelllieferwagen from 1953 and the faultless Opel Astra Sports Tourer from the auto motor und sport endurance test. When the 25,000 visitors expected at the event stroll around the two exhibition cars, they’ll see on the 1953 Olympia Rekord, large and clear: “Opel the reliable”.

!NEW! Let the Sun Shine in – the Story of Opel Convertibles

From Kapitän to Cascada – Opel at the Techno Classica

Opel Kapitän convertible (1938)

Opel Cascada convertible (2013)

With thirteen cars spanning more than 100 years of car manufacturing, Opel exhibits a selection of its most popular convertibles at this year’s Techno Classica (April 10-14, 2013) in Essen, Germany. The display includes the first Opel Patent Motor Car, System Lutzmann of 1899, the 10/18 Doppelphaeton with its ’American top‘, the Rekord A Cabrio from the company Deutsch, the Monza Keinath C5, and the current Opel Cascada presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Opel Monza KC 5 convertible (1985)

The elegant Cascada extends a tradition for premium convertibles, like the famous Opel Kapitän presented 75 years ago which was offered as a two and four-door sedan and convertible at its debut in 1938. At Opel’s stand in Essen, the Cascada and Kapitän convertibles will be flanked by conversions from renowned coachbuilders who constructed dream cabrios based on Opel cars well into the 1980s.

Using the stately Opel Admiral of 1937 as a basis, the Hebmüller Karosserie company in Wülfrath created a luxurious, two-seat sports cabrio, and Gläser of Dresden took a similar approach with the Opel Super 6 in 1936. Coachbuilder Deutsch from Cologne converted the four-seat Rekord C in the late 1960s, and Keinath in Dettingen crafted an attractive cabrio from the sporty Monza coupé.

Opel’s Essen display also includes: an Opel 6/12 hp from 1910, the successor to the legendary 4/12 hp Doctor’s Car, an ultra-chic 1.1-liter luxury two-seater; a sporty 1.8-liter Moonlight Roadster from 1933 and an Olympia cabrio sedan from 1950. All are part of Opel’s Classic collection in Rüsselsheim.

As in previous years, presents the traditional division of Adam Opel AG during the 25th Techno Classica worldwide on more than 700 square meter stand in Hall 2, together with the Vintage Opel IG, the largest Opel brand club.

The beginning was open

The very first Opel was, in fact, a cabrio. Like all cars built at the dawn of the automobile age, the Opel Patent Motor Car, System Lutzmann from 1899 followed traditional carriage design principles and had a body without an integral roof. By the time production ended in 1901, 65 Patent Motor Cars had left the Rüsselsheim factory.

The Opel 10/18 hp from 1908 and the 10/24 hp from 1911 also came without a top – a roof and side panels were available at extra cost.

Opel 10/24 hp Torpedo Double Phaeton (1911)

While an open body was still standard as late as the 1920s, closed bodies followed in the 1930s and open-air driving then became a symbol of luxury and status.

Vehicles from Rüsselsheim inspired famous coachbuilders to create their own beauties using Opel models as a starting point. The Deutsch company from Cologne-Braunsfeld built 51 units of their sporty Moonlight Roadster. The basis for this racy two-seater was the 1.8 liter model line presented in 1931, with which Opel became the first volume manufacturer to introduce an affordable straight-six engine in the mid-size class.

Opel Moonlight roadster (1933)

To celebrate the company’s 75^th anniversary, Adam Opel AG presented two novel vehicles with trend-setting design on February 17, 1937: the Super 6 and the premium class Admiral model. Both cars were equipped with advanced overhead valve engine technology. The Super 6, for the upper mid-size class, featured a smooth-running 2.5-liter straight-six with 55 hp, and the premium class Admiral had a powerful six-cylinder with 3.6-liter displacement and 75 hp. Both models were offered ex-works as a sedan, as well as a two-door, and in the Admiral’s case, also as a four-door cabrio.

Opel Super 6 convertible (1936)

In addition to coachbuilders Buhne (Berlin), Autenrieth (Darmstadt) and Hebmüller (Wülfrath), Gläser from Dresden built special bodies based on the Super 6. The Gläser cabrio was a roadster-like convertible with two jump seats in the long rear body. Based on the Admiral, the sport cabrio from Hebmüller featured similar elegant, but even larger, design and was more luxurious and exclusive.

Opel Admiral convertible (1937)

Another cabrio for more discerning tastes is the Kapitän convertible presented in 1937, which was available in addition to the sedan. The first Opel Kapitän – whose successors were among the best-selling six-cylinder cars in Germany into the early 1960s – achieved sales of 25,374 units, 4,563 of which were cabrios. The Super 6, Admiral and Kapitän were, for the time being, the last cabrios offered by the company.

Opel Kapitän convertible (1939)

The diversity of open-top driving was then reduced to one model. Unlike a full cabrio, the Opel Olympia cabrio sedan had fixed window frames connected to the windshield – a pre-war style of open-top driving that was well-established with manufacturers and popular with buyers. In 1956, the last car with this design, in the shape of the Olympia Rekord model line, rolled off the assembly line. The role of a popular compact cabrio was then assumed by various versions of the Kadett and Astra.

Predecessors of the new four-seat Cascada include creations from Karl Deutsch in Cologne. The coachbuilder converted the Rekord A of 1963 into a cabrio, as it did with the Rekord C in 1966 and its sporty sister model the Commodore A. The entry-level price for a two-door Rekord C base car was 7,590 German marks, and the conversion cost another 4,000 marks. Only around 30 open-air Rekord A and B models were built, while about 50 Rekord C and Commodore A cabrios were produced before the model change in 1972.

Opel Rekord C convertible (1967)

Instead of a mid-size class sedan, Opel’s partner, Keinath in Dettingen, chose the sporty upper-class Monza coupé as the basis for its conversion in the early 1980s. Just like the production model, the sophisticated Keinath C5 – with two individual Recaro seats in the rear cabin and a modified notchback – was available with four or six-cylinder engines with outputs up to 180 hp. The base price was 81,000 marks and the total units built of the exclusive custom-made model remain in the two digits.

Opel Monza KC 5 convertible (1985)

The tradition of large convertibles is experiencing a renaissance with the new Opel Cascada. The nearly 4.7-meter long mid-size convertible has four full-sized seats, high-quality, classic soft-top technology and a load volume of up to 380 liters. The Cascada features a wide range of economical, technically sophisticated engines led by the new 1.6 liter SIDI Turbo ECOTEC gasoline engine with 125 kW/170 hp and direct injection. The Opel convertible is once again being built in an Opel plant, just like the Kapitän and Admiral in their day.