!NEW! Opel and the Netherlands: Close Ties Since 1924

Dutch royal couple’s visit to Rüsselsheim carries on tradition 

When the Dutch royal couple Willem-Alexander and Máxima visit Opel in Rüsselsheim on June 4^th as the head of a business delegation, the main topic of the day will be the future of mobility. The royal couple will meet with Opel experts, discuss electric mobility and visit the design center. Tradition also plays a large role in the connection between Opel and the Netherlands; the ties are many. 

Opel is getting ready for the visit of the royal couple from the Netherlands and is presenting the new Cascada convertible in orange. Next to the Cascada a vintage Opel Diplomat in front of the Adam Opel Haus.

Did you know that:

• The first Opel dealerships opened their doors in the Netherlands in 1924 and Opel has been one of the most popular brands in the country ever since
• The most popular Opel model in Holland at this moment is the Corsa, followed by Astra and Mokka
• Opel sponsors the Dutch soccer club Feyenoord Rotterdam which has an ex-national player, Ronald Koeman, as a trainer and last season finished 3rd in the First Division
• Today around 850,000 Opel vehicles are on Dutch roads – the second biggest total fleet in the Netherlands.
• A member of the Dutch royal family already visited Opel in Rüsselsheim. In October 2010 King Willem-Alexander’s cousin, Prinz Maurits, came to learn more about the future of electric mobility and test drove the Opel Ampera and the HydroGen 3.
• The ADAM store in Amsterdam was completely decorated in orange during King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima’s enthronement?
• The Netherlands is a trailblazer in electric mobility. The government has introduced an incentive program that also includes tax benefits.
• Today almost 10,000 electric cars are on Holland’s roads – which makes the Netherlands leading in Europe when it comes to introducing electric mobility
• In 2012, almost 4,000 new electric vehicles were registered in the Netherlands, thereof around 2,700 Opel Ampera. That means around 67 percent market share in the last year.
• Since its start of sales the Opel Ampera has been market leader in the Netherlands. More Ampera were sold there than in any other European country.
• The several historic Opel clubs in the Netherlands have several thousands of members. There are many clubs, for a lot of Opel models, including the Kadett, Manta and GT.
• There are currently 26 Dutch employees in Rüsselsheim. They are of course especially looking forward to the royal couple’s visit.

!NEW! Opel is back! – Also at World’s Biggest Opel Fan Festival in Oschersleben

• Race track in Saxony-Anhalt again hosts brand fans from May 29 – June 2
• Annual brand gathering draws over 70,000 visitors
• Many events and activities for Opel fans

Timeless: Opel GT still looks absolutely modern 

Opel is back: from May 29 – June 2, 2013, the brand will welcome around 70,000 people with more than 20,000 cars to the world’s biggest annual Opel fan gathering in the motorsport arena in Saxony-Anhalt. The automaker will exhibit sporty Opel models as well as classic vehicles from long ago during the five-day festival, and visitors can also enjoy diverse activities with lots of music, parties and athletic challenges.

Open: All the work has to be finish for this special event to show the golden oldie like this beautiful Opel Ascona A

“The Opel gathering in Oschersleben will this year more than ever be an unforgettable experience,” says Dr. Thomas Sedran, Board Member for Strategy at Opel. “Our fans are among the most loyal that a brand can wish for – this hugely popular annual ‘family gathering’ clearly underscores this. So we are especially pleased to be able to be there with the most attractive and sporty model portfolio we have ever had in our over 150-year history. Together with our return to motorsports and the German National Soccer League, this gives us more than enough reason to say: Opel is back!”

Opel is back in sports: Rallying, circuit racing, OPC and German Soccer League

The spotlight is on Opel sports activities at the 18th annual fan festival at Germany’s northern-most race track. For the first time, visitors can get a glimpse of the ADAM in its rallye outfit off of ADAC Opel Rallye Cup racetrack. The 800 square-meter exhibition space will showcase eye-catching high-performance models from Opel Performance Center – Insignia OPC, Astra OPC and Corsa OPC, and the youngest Opel family members Cascada and Mokka are also sure to turn heads.

Hot: The burnout contest belongs to Oschersleben 

Opel fans also have the opportunity to prove their prowess behind the wheel. In competitions like the one-eighth-mile drag-race style sprint or the Drift Challenge they have to give it their all to win one of the coveted prizes. Exceptional finesse is also required on the Opel/OPC driving dynamics course.

But experiencing pure, intense emotions is not limited to the motorsports arena. This season Opel revived its soccer activities, becoming an official premium partner in the German National Soccer League and supporting the teams of Champion League finalist Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Mainz 05, SC Freiburg and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Internationally, Opel also supports the top Turkish club Galatasaray Istanbul and the Dutch team Feyenoord Rotterdam; our British sister brand has partnered with the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Oschersleben, visitors can take part in goal-scoring contests and demonstrate their accuracy against the “robo-goalie”.

Perfect union: Motorsports meet tradition and show

The “Old Opel Get-together” revives the automotive glamor of times past – for the last 12 years, Opel classic car enthusiasts have gathered in Oschersleben with their historic models to celebrate the brand’s extraordinary automobile history. Opel Classic provides extra thrills with two special highlights: a 1983 Commodore C ambulance and an Opel Blitz fire truck from the 1960s. Both models are in active use in Oschersleben, with the Blitz offering a “cool down” with the fire hose in case some visitors need a respite from summer temperatures.

In line: The classic cars parade is real highlight at Oschersleben

Shining: A real fan has been working hard on his car – preparing, painting, polishing the beloved Opel

In addition to a host of contests and automotive showpieces, there is lots of entertainment off the track – after all, sharing this experience is what the world’s largest Opel gathering is about for most visitors. A special fan corner is available in the exhibition hall for those who want to share ideas and car talk undisturbed. In the evenings party fun is guaranteed by DJs and entertainers like Olaf Henning with “Hüttengaudi”, the “Deutschrock Party”, “House Night” and the “89.0 RTL Adam Opel Party Night”; and of course the “Miss Opel 2013” beauty pageant will take place on Friday night. The explosive highlight of the evening events is on Saturday at around eleven o’clock p.m., when a stunning fireworks show will light up the sky.

Lovely: The most beautiful ladies will compete for the Miss Opel 2013.

Information about the five-day Opel event can be found online on: opeltreffen-oschersleben.de

!NEW! Opel now also Galatasaray Istanbul Partner

Top Turkish club latest highlight in automaker’s soccer sponsorship activities

On Tuesday evening, the Turkish top club Galatasaray Istanbul will rise the probably most major challenge in the club’s history. In the quarter-final of the UEFA Cup Champions League the club will meet Real Madrid for the second leg. With reaching the quarter-final the club lives up to a successful tradition. With 18 national championships and 14 cup victories, Galatasaray is the most popular and successful soccer club in Turkey. Reason enough for Opel to formalize a partnership with the top European club.

General Manager of Opel Turkey Özcan Keklik with new Opel Cascada

Club president Ünal Aysal and the General Manager of Opel Turkey, Özcan Keklik, signed an agreement making the Turkish club – Champions League veterans – an Opel team. In addition to being their automotive partner, Opel can also realize a host of advertising activities with Galatasaray. With that Opel is keeping a spotlight on soccer with its brand communications and expanding its international presence in this arena. The partnership with Galatasaray Istanbul, following the agreement with Feyenoord Rotterdam as one of the leading Dutch teams, has been formalized as the next building block in the brand’s strategy.

Dr. Thomas Sedran, Opel Vice President Operations, Business Development and Strategies says, “Opel and soccer – a perfect fit. The connection stands for brand values like dynamics, performance and passion. 

Galatasaray Istanbul is an important part of this, particularly in light of the growing markets in Eastern Europe. This won’t be the last step we take to further reinforce the connection between Opel and soccer.” Club president Ünal Aysal adds, “Galatasaray and Opel share many common values and both have a rich heritage. We are happy to be part of this professional collaboration and look forward to many shared successes.”

Prior to the contract with Galatasaray, Opel’s British sister brand Vauxhall already established partnerships with the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the German National League, Opel is partner to Borussia Dortmund, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, SC Freiburg and FSV Mainz 05.

!NEW! Opel goes back to the future with Feyenoord Rotterdam

Opel Company today announced a new partnership with one of the leading Dutch football clubs

From left: Karl Howkins, Managing Director, Opel Netherlands and Feyenoord Head coach Ronald Koeman with the new Opel Cascada convertible

A four year agreement has been reached for the Opel logo to be carried on Feyenoord shirts from 2013-17. The partnership signals an extension of a long running relationship which dates back almost 30 years to when Opel was main club sponsor from 1984-89.

 From left to right: Karl Howkins CEO Opel Netherlands, Ben Wijnstekers, Jordy Clasie, Mark Koevermans Feyenoord Commercial Director and Feyenoord Head Coach Ronald Koeman with the Opel Kadett E GSi convertible and Opel Cascada convertible

Speaking at the official launch of the partnership at the De Kuip Stadium on Monday, Feyenoord commercial director Mark Koevermans said: “We are very excited to welcome Opel as our new Club sponsor. Opel has an extremely impressive pedigree and enjoys a long-serving and very successful partnership with our club. This is a partnership which is not simply about the Opel name being carried on our shirt. Opel will be extremely supportive and active in helping us develop our highly successful social, grass roots and community activities.”

Karl Howkins, Managing Director, Opel Netherlands, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Feyenoord. Our organizations have a proud history of co-operation and friendship for almost 30 years. “Our strong relationship and cultural similarities will enable us to deliver highly exciting and innovative joint initiatives during the term of our sponsorship. Both of us have exciting and ambitious plans – Feyenoord in the development of exciting young footballing talent, and Opel with plans for a market launch of 23 new car models and 13 new powertrains by 2016.”

Duncan Aldred, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales for Opel/Vauxhall Europe, said: “Feyenoord and Opel share many powerful common brand values and philosophies. We are both established and major players in the Dutch market and both organizations are planning exciting major new initiatives.”

As part of the sponsorship, Feyenoord executives, coaching staff and players will drive a fleet of Opel vehicles.

Head coach Ronald Koeman and coaches Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Jean-Paul van Gastel already drive Opel’s revolutionary electric, extended range Ampera.

Opel were club sponsors of Feyenoord from 1984-89, and official automotive suppliers to the club from 1984-2002 and 2010 onwards.

In 1970, Feyenoord was the first Dutch football club to win the European Cup and followed this in the same year with victory in the Intercontinental Cup to claim the world club crown.  Following their UEFA Cup victories in 1974 and 2002, the club remains the last Dutch club to earn European honours.  Formed in July 1908, the club has the distinction of being one of only four clubs never to have been relegated from the Dutch first division and has won 14 national titles, 11 Dutch Cups and 2 Dutch Supercups. 

Feyenoord joins an Opel/Vauxhall European football portfolio which also includes partnerships with Borussia Dortmund, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen, SC Freiburg and FSV Mainz (Germany) as well as all four Home Nations national teams in the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).