Seating with Seal of Approval: Opel Honoured for Back-friendly Seats

• Back friendly seating à la Opel: Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR) awards manufacturer for long-standing commitment to back health
• AGR debut: 2003 Signum was first Opel with ergonomically certified seats
• More than just seats: Entire vehicle concept of Opel Meriva awarded AGR seal of approval
• Today’s Opel Grandland and Opel Astra: Intelli-Seats and ergonomic active sports seats with numerous adjustment options as well as massage and ventilation functions

Relaxing and healthy seating has a long tradition at Opel. Opel drivers and passengers of all sizes have been able to enjoy particularly back-friendly seating in models bearing the ‘Blitz’ emblem for more than 20 years. The brand is synonymous with seats that integrate drivers and passengers comfortably, safely and sportily into the respective Opel model. Opel has now been recognised by Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR) (Campaign for Healthy Backs) for its decades of continuous commitment to back health and relaxing seating. The experts for healthy seating presented the award to Opel representatives at the Adam Opel House at the company's headquarters in Rüsselsheim.

This long-standing commitment continues in Opel’s current models, such as the compact class bestseller Opel Astra and the Opel Grandland, the manufacturer demonstrates that ergonomically excellent seats promote health and increase road safety. The ultra-modern Intelli-Seats and active sports seats offer numerous adjustment options and combine this with comfort details from multi-level seat heating to massage functions and ventilation. The motto: Take a seat, enjoy the drive and get out again after hours in a relaxed manner. However, the triumph of ergonomically valuable seating at Opel began more than 20 years ago, or more precisely, in 2003 with the first AGR seal of approval for the Opel Signum.

Good for the back: AGR-certified Ergonomic Seats from 2003

Relaxed travelling not only increases the well-being and safety of passengers, it is also an important health factor. The ‘right’ seat is not only comfortable, it also supports the occupant’s back. Opel has a pioneering role amongst volume manufacturers in this area for a long time. The company was the first automaker to offer back-friendly seats in the mid-size class in 2003, with the first AGR seal of approval for the Opel Signum. The experts for healthy seating awarded the 18-way electrically adjustable, multi-contour driver‘s seat in the Opel Vectra/Opel Signum their seal of approval.

From this moment on, the ergonomically superior seats set off on their road to success. In 2008, the standard comfort seats in the Opel Insignia offered generous adjustment setting ranges – 65 mm (electric) for height and 270 mm longitudinally – achieving absolute best marks here. The premium driver’s seat was AGR certified. 

And in 2012 the Opel Meriva MPV was the first series production car to receive the coveted AGR seal of approval for its overall ergonomic concept: FlexDoors with an opening angle of 84 degrees, FlexSpace system, AGR-certified ergonomic seats and the FlexFix bicycle carrier.

Opel also made the especially back-friendly seats available in the compact class. For the first time, the AGR-certified premium ergonomic seats in the Opel Astra generation introduced in 2015 were not just multi-adjustable in height, longitude and tilt, they were also optionally available with further comfort features such as massage, ventilation and memory function. And there is also a comfort plus for the second row: seat heating is not only available for both front seats, but also for the outer rear seats.

Seating comfort at its best: Active Sports Seats in Opel Astra, Intelli-Seats in Opel Grandland

Opel is continuously developing the seats recognised by the Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. and enriching them with innovations that make driving even more relaxed and healthier. The various seats in the latest Opel Astra generation and in the top-of-the-range Opel Grandland SUV offer seating comfort at its best.

Opel Grandland’s Intelli-Seats are characterised by a special recess running down the middle of the seat, which is inspired by the saddles of racing bikes and reduces pressure on the tailbone. The patented Intelli-Seat ergonomic feature ensures relaxed driving comfort even on long trips. And the optionally available extendable thigh support also increases the seat surface and gives occupants with long thighs more seat contact. The optimal hold in the pelvic area is supported by the electro-pneumatically adjustable lumbar support in height and length.

At the same time, the workmanship and features of the seats not only testify to high quality – the covers of the Intelli-Seats are also made of recycled and thus sustainable fabrics, thus taking into account Opel's ‘Greenovation’ approach. This also applies to the ergonomic active sports seats in the Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer, which are also certified by Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. Their covers are made of the mono-material ReNewKnit™. It conveys the high-quality look of suede, and it is 100 per cent recycled and recyclable. This reduces the CO2 footprint and avoids waste.

For those who want to enjoy even more seating comfort in the Opel Grandland and Astra models, they can opt for the Nappa leather upholstery, for example – in the Opel Astra in combination with ergonomic active sports seats and in the Opel Grandland with the high-end Intelli-Seat Pro. 

Opel has further developed this ergonomic seat and equipped it with new comfort features. For the first time in the Grandland, it has adjustable side cushions. The two air cushions housed in the cheeks of the backrests improve lateral support and can be adjusted according to personal preferences. In addition, the driver and front passenger seats offer ventilation as well as various massage programmes and many more features. The Intelli-Seat Pro represents the current high-end seat in the Opel portfolio in terms of comfort and individual adjustment options.

Opel Celebrates 20 Years of seats with AGR Seal of Approval

• Pioneer: Opel democratises back-friendly seating in variety of market segments
• AGR premiere: 2003 Signum was first Opel with ergonomically certified seats
• More than just seats: Total vehicle concept of Opel Meriva awarded AGR seal
• Wide choice: AGR-certified seats for today’s Opel Astra, Crossland and Grandland
• For that sporty feeling: Exclusive AGR performance seats for Opel GSe models

Opel Signum

Opel this year marks 20th anniversary of the introduction of healthy seats certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. – an independent German association promoting research related to back-pain prevention).

Latest generation of AGR seats is available in new Opel Grandland GSe, the Astra GSe and the Astra Sports Tourer GSe. But the start was made exactly two decades ago by the Opel Signum, which was the first car to offer AGR seats in the mid-size segment.

Seats form the link between people and the vehicle. They are crucial for a comfortable, relaxed journey. That is why Opel places great importance on ensuring that they offer optimum comfort and support for the spine, especially on longer journeys. “Drivers and passengers come into contact with no other component in the car as intensively as with the seat. Our goal as a carmaker is that our customers do not have to think about the seat even on longer trips, because it offers comfort and also prevents the risk of back pain in the long term,” said Stefan Koob, who is responsible for the development of seat structures.

In-car ergonomics is more than just a feel-good factor. Ergonomics also includes safety. A relaxed, back-friendly seat prevents fatigue during the journey; and in the event of a accident, the seat occupant has a chance of a positive outcome above all if the seat manages to hold him or her in position. Only then can seat belts and airbags fully provide their protection.

Opel Signum 2003: First Opel with AGR ergonomic seats

“At Opel, we have always taken the democratisation of seating comfort to heart. That means everyone is entitled to a good seat in the car,” Koob explained. Back in 2003 the ergonomic seats of Opel Signum set a new standard in the automotive industry. Thereafter the healthy seats were rolled out across much of the Opel model range. Long-distance and company car drivers were especially grateful; thanks to numerous adjustment functions, the ergonomic seats with AGR certification could be optimally adjusted for every driver, so that he or she got out rested and without discomfort even after hours of driving.

Opel Signum: AGR ergonomic seat

A few years later, another premiere followed. In 2010, the flexible Opel Meriva van was the first vehicle to receive an AGR seal of approval. Meriva’s integral ergonomics system comprised the ergonomic seats, the FlexDoors doors that opened in opposite directions, variable FlexSpace rear seating concept and the FlexFix bicycle rack.

For all shapes and sizes: Wide choice of various AGR-certified seats

Opel today offers a variety of AGR seats with a choice of comfort or more sports-oriented contours in the Astra, Crossland and Grandland. To enable the driver and the front passenger to adopt a comfortable and back-friendly seating position for any journey, AGR seats offer 10 adjustments for the driver and six for the co-driver. Regardless of the seat contour, the multitude of adjustable parameters – many electrically operated on the driver’s seat – include sliding range, height, tilt, backrest tilt, thigh support, lumbar support and seat cushion tilt, as well as heating for the cold season.

Top of the line: Performance seats in Opel Grandland GSe and Opel Astra GSe

New GSe performance seats represent the youngest developments in healthy seating technology from Opel. Trimmed in black Alcantara, stylish front seats in Opel Grandland GSe, Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe feature especially high upper wings. Unique construction of the seats in Astra GSe models features fully integrated head restraints. Another eye-catching detail is the distinctive grey stripe electro-welded onto the backrest. Also unique to GSe is the stitched pattern at base of the backrest and on the seat cushion, while the unmistakable yellow-on-black GSe logo adorns the seatback.

Opel Grandland GSe: Performance seats

Opel Astra GSe: Performance seats

Comfort of AGR driver’s seats can be further enhanced – depending on the model variant – with ventilation. In addition, the memory function particularly comes in handy when sharing driving duties over long distances.

!NEW! Opel OnStar: 1.5 Million Customer Interactions for Guardian Angel

• 15 vehicles recovered with help of Opel OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance
• Every second new Opel equipped with OnStar

Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million interactions with customers who make contact by phone, mobile app or the blue OnStar service button. 

“Having that guardian angel there is just fantastic!” says Charlotte Tyson about OnStar, the personal connectivity and service assistant introduced by Opel in August 2015. Charlotte from England was one of the first drivers in Europe to experience how OnStar automatically reacts in an emergency. Last October she was on the way to one of her friends when she was involved in a head-on collision with another car. As the airbags in her Corsa deployed, vehicle sensors automatically alerted an OnStar advisor – Charlotte’s guardian angel – who notified the emergency services and stayed with her on the phone until they arrived at the scene of the accident.

Automatic crash response is just one of the many innovative features of Opel OnStar, which makes driving more convenient and ensures best connectivity. The unique service with friendly advisors instead of machines also remotely unlocks doors, downloads destinations directly to the vehicle, sends emails on vehicle health and offers a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Less than nine months after its launch, Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million interactions with customers who make contact by phone, mobile app or the blue OnStar service button. Currently every second new Opel delivered features OnStar.

Opel OnStar is available on all Opel passenger cars, from ADAM, KARL, Corsa and Astra, to Meriva, Mokka, Cascada, Zafira Tourer and Insignia. Less than nine months after launch, Opel OnStar has already recorded around 1.5 million customer interactions.

“These unbelievable numbers prove that Opel OnStar is a resounding success! Less than a year after launch, our personal connectivity and service assistant is clearly on its way to becoming the helpful companion every driver of an Opel passenger car wants to have at their side”, exclaims Tina Müller, Chief Marketing Officer Opel Group. “The smartphone generation are ecstatic about the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, while services such as automatic Emergency Call Service provide the older generation with the safety and security they long to have when driving.”

Opel OnStar - Emergency Call Service

The most popular service is the myOpel mobile app, which to date customers with smartphones have launched around 700,000 times by. The app’s most popular features so far are remote locking/unlocking of doors, online vehicle location and honking the vehicle’s horn and flashing its lights. Customers can also call up important data such as oil condition or tire pressures, send destinations to the in-car navigation system and manage the car’s embedded Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows up to seven devices to connect in and around the vehicle.

The favorite Opel OnStar service is the myOpel app. To date, customers with smartphones have launched the app 700,000 times. The most popular features: locking/unlocking of doors, vehicle location, honking the horn and flashing the lights.

Since launching last year Opel OnStar has received about 300,000 calls from customers and sent more than 150,000 monthly vehicle diagnostics emails. On the internet, customers have logged into the Opel OnStar page around 300,000 times.

Opel OnStar also assists vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Stolen Vehicle Assistance enables Opel OnStar to work closely with police to recover the car quickly and safely and return it to its rightful owner. Ignition Block allows Opel OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle that blocks the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Opel OnStar assists vehicle owners and police alike in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Thanks to Opel OnStar, 15 stolen vehicles have been located and returned to their owners to date – even across borders !

Thanks to Opel OnStar, 15 stolen vehicles have been located and returned to their owners to date – even across borders! Dominik Gamel’s Astra was stolen in Austria. He immediately reported the theft to the Austrian police and Opel OnStar, who located the car in neighboring Hungary. Working with the police in both countries, Opel OnStar helped retrieve the car and return it to its rightful owner within 24 hours. “When my Astra was stolen, I was so upset”, recalls Dominik, “I thought I would never see it again. I’m just so grateful to OnStar for getting it back to me!”

Opel OnStar is available on all Opel passenger cars, from ADAM, KARL, Corsa and Astra to Meriva, Mokka and Cascada and Zafira Tourer and Insignia . The Opel OnStar service is offered to customers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, and as Vauxhall OnStar in the United Kingdom. An additional 18 countries will follow as of August 2016.

!NEW! Opel Germany Reports Best First Quarter in Five Years

• Passenger car market share grew to 7.5 percent from January to March
• Opel Astra success story: Already more than 140,000 orders in Europe

Opel Astra success story: Already more than 140,000 orders in Europe.

Thanks to its successful model offensive, Opel has started this year on its domestic German market stronger than in the last five years. In the first quarter, the Rüsselsheim automaker increased passenger car sales by around 7,500 units or 14.5 percent to 59,000 cars. So in the first three months of the year, Opel’s growth was more than three times that of the overall German passenger car market, which only reached a plus of 4.5 percent. Opel’s market share increased between January and March by about 0.7 percentage points to around 7.5 percent. With this, Opel recorded the best first quarter since 2011 both in terms of market share and volume.

Following strong growth in January and February, Opel continued its upward trend in March and increased both sales and market share. Sales volume last month grew by around 1.3 percent to about 23,400 units, while the overall German passenger car market was practically stagnant with a total increase of just 41 units.

The strong start to the year was again mainly due to the high demand for Europe’s “Car of the Year 2016”, the new Opel Astra. Over 7,200 units of the current generation of the five-door model were sold in the first quarter – a plus of more than 80 percent compared to sales of the predecessor model during the same period last year.

The station wagon variant, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, makes its premiere at German dealerships on Saturday, April 9. 

More than 140,000 orders have already been received in Europe for the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Another success story was Opel’s flexibility champion Meriva, which recorded strong growth of nearly 19 percent. With more than 4,000 units sold, it was number one in the MPV B segment, just like the Opel Mokka in the SUV B segment. Sales of the Opel Zafira Tourer family van grew by an impressive 16 percent

!NEW! Seat Engineering at Opel: High-Tech Perfection with a Long Tradition

• Robot tested: Outstanding ergonomic AGR seats for Astra, Insignia and Meriva and co.
• Second row comfort: Heated rear seats make new Astra debut
• Learning curve: From box seat to 18-way adjustable seat with massage function in 117 years

Bernd, Werner, Oliver and Marius are full of enthusiasm for their task – repeatedly they rub over the side bolsters of the seat underneath them before simulating getting in and out while scrubbing across the leather. Somewhat stubborn and relentless but at the same time completely dedicated. Bernd, Werner, Oliver and Marius are inspection robots in the test lab of the Opel International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim. To be more precise, they consist of a friction pad covered with a jeans-like material and a foam layer that simulate the human posterior and thighs. “They are more than just robots for us – they are fully qualified members of the team. They perform an important job and therefore they all have names,” explains seat specialist Andrew Leuchtmann, Senior Manager Interiors at General Motors Europe.

The robot team simulates gets into and out of cars 50,000 times a week – equivalent to an entire lifecycle of a car. Both the premium and ergonomic seats targeting the seal of approval from the back specialists of Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR) as well the integrated comfort seats that come as standard are subjected to this ordeal. After the tests, the engineers can recognize whether the seats will be able to withstand future strains just by looking at the fabric structure. “The color has normally faded and the surface is scratched but the most important thing is that the foam underneath is ok and that the surface structure remains stable,” says seating expert Leuchtmann. If this is not the case, the premium and ergonomic seats Opel offers for the driver and front passenger need to be upgraded – after all, there have to last an entire car life, no matter whether it is in the Mokka, Cascada, GTC, Meriva, Zafira Tourer, Astra or Insignia.

“This is where we obviously benefit from our great experience,” says Leuchtmann. After all, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker can look back on 117 years of seating heritage. The success story of ergonomically valuable sitting began in 2003 with the first AGR seal of approval for the Opel Signum, making Opel the first manufacturer to offer back-friendly seats in the middle class.

The offensive for healthy sitting at affordable prices was rolled out across the model range. Especially long distance and company car drivers are grateful for the system. The numerous settings available allow the AGR certified premium seats in the Opel Insignia to be perfectly adjusted for each driver, ensuring that they are relaxed and symptom-free even after many hours at the wheel. Since 2003, Opel has made democratizing good seats one of its missions and is the leading volume manufacturer in regards to ergonomic seats with the AGR seal of approval.

The new lightness of sitting in the Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Lightweight: AGR seats in the new Opel Astra have shed 10 kilograms in weight thanks to ultra-high-strength steels.

The structure is the most important component of the seat. It ensures the safety of the occupants and keeps them in the right position in case of an impact. However, at the same time is also normally responsible for the considerable weight - not so in the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The seats have shed 10 kilograms in weight thanks to ultra-high-strength steels. The engineers know exactly how much weight they can take out safely before even starting on the first prototype thanks to a computer simulation. Darker colors show stress peaks in the material that could lead to a breakage. “We really pushed our limits on the Opel Astra Sports Tourer and experimented a lot,” says Leuchtmann. Amongst others, numerous welding tests were necessary. “You can no longer weld if the material is too thin,” says the engineer.

Comfort guaranteed: The numerous setting possibilities ensure that everybody can find the ideal position. 

Once the first prototypes have been built and the fabrics or leather for the covers selected, Werner and colleagues can start their work. But before that, the team calculates to the load level the robots need to apply to the test subject. Furthermore, a team of experts consisting of men and women of different size and build are asked to take a seat with a pressure mat measuring the peak loads, for example where the sit bones make contact. “We test it with prototypes in the real car,” explains Leuchtmann. “Opel Meriva seat for example is higher and you enter differently than you do the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer where the seats are lower.” Testers also sit differently on a premium or ergonomic seat. Because of the especially good lateral guidance, the side bolsters are higher and therefore under more stress. The data obtained results in an average calculation for stress and Werner and co can be programmed accordingly.

Mobile wellness: Massage and ventilation function along with electropneumatically adjustable side bolsters and lumbar support make the AGR seats in the new Opel Astra true all-rounders. 

Nine human seating experts are also at work in parallel. They, for example, drive around in a new Opel Astra Sports Tourer – for hours on end and for countless kilometers. They test the four-way electropneumatically adjustable lumbar support, the extendable thigh support or the massage function, complete a comprehensive survey and give a subjective overall grade. Serial production can only start when the last weakness has been eliminated.

Opel Meriva first vehicle to receive AGR certificate for integral ergonomic system

The development of a new seat takes around five years – of those, the team invests two years in the implementation of new concepts. This was also the case for Opel’s flexibility champion, the Meriva. It is the first and to date only vehicle with the AGR seal of approval for its integrated ergonomic system. This includes the ergonomic seats along with the 84-degree opening FlexDoors, the versatile FlexSpace seat concept for the rear seats and the optional FlexFix bicycle carrier. Or take the Astra Sports Tourer for example. Thanks to advance development, which also considers customer feedback along with comments posted in forums and blogs, the optional FlexFold rear seatback that can be split in a 40:20:40 ratio at the touch of a button could be realized. Furthermore, heated outer rear seats are available as an option for the first time. The added level of comfort will ensure that the next major trip with family or friends is more relaxing.

To ensure that Opel maintains its frontrunner position in seating development, the engineers are already working on the next generation of the premium and ergonomic seats behind closed doors. “Maintaining our ‘knowledge head start’ over our competitors and consistently extending our production know-how is vital,” insists Leuchtmann. “That is why we develop as much as possible internally and even have some components delivered by our own plant in Kaiserslautern.” The front seat structures are made entirely at the Kaiserslautern plant. The near vicinity to Rüsselsheim also has logistical advantages. The goal is clearly defined: Seats of the future will be even more ergonomic, even lighter, even more stylish and even safer. “We still have a lot of new ideas on how the contouring can adapt even more individually,” reveals the expert. “And there is still more to come on the massage front.” The fact that further Opel models with premium and ergonomic seats will follow seems to be a matter of course especially as the company looks to democratize good sitting further. 

Historical Overview of Opel seat Engineering

1899 – The box seat: The whole Opel Patent Motor Car System Lutzmann including the seats is reminiscent of a carriage. The seats cannot be adjusted.

1929 – Lower position: 30 years later, the Opel 4/20 “Moonlight Roadster” still comes with a firmly fixed bench. However, the position is considerably lower and the passengers can stretch their legs.

1950 – More comfortable: The seats of the Opel Olympia are fixed to a metal frame and the longitudinal position can be adjusted. The backrests of the front seats can be folded forwards to facilitate rear seat passenger ingress/egress.

1956 – Continuous longitudinal adjustment: The continuously adjustable front bench and the adjustable backrests of the Opel Kapitän are a further milestone. The backrests can be set to the optimum position by pulling a lever and simultaneously applying pressure.

1968 – Sporty: The legendary Opel GT gets sporty contoured seats with integrated headrests. Extended cushions and a significantly improved shoulder section show which way development is heading.

1970s – Headrests: Opel optionally fits certain model ranges with headrests – such as the Monza, the Kapitän/Admiral/Diplomat models or the Rekord C and D. The Opel Diplomat B comes with height-adjustable comfort headrests, which can even be tilted forwards.

1978 – First height adjustable seat: Opel Monza drivers can adjust the height of the seat with ease thanks to a telescopic rod.

1994 – Safety with a capital ‘S‘: The seats in the Opel Omega B are comfortable and as an option electrically adjustable. The reinforced rear backrests and the side airbags make an important contribution to passive safety, crash tests with a load are conducted for the first time. In the rear, all three seats come with three-point seat belts and headrests.

2003 – The first AGR seal: The Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (Campaign for healthy back) gives the 18-way electrically adjustable multi-contour driver seat in Opel Vectra/Opel Signum its sought-after seal of approval. Opel is the first carmaker to offer back-friendly seats in the midsize class.

2008 – Comfort seats: The standard comfort seats in the Opel Insignia offer numerous setting possibilities – the height can be adjusted by 65 mm (electric) whereas adjustments of 270 mm are possible in longitudinal direction – outstanding figures. The premium driver seat is AGR certified.

2012 – Ergonomic total concept: FlexDoors with an opening angle of 84 degrees, AGR-certified ergonomic seats and the FlexFix bicycle carrier convince the AGR experts and they award the Meriva with their seal of approval. The first and still only serial production car to receive the certificate for its overall concept.

2015 – Compact class wellness: For the first time the AGR-certified premium ergonomic seats of the new generation Astra are not just 18-way adjustable including side bolster adjustment but are also optionally available with further comfort features such as massage and memory function along with ventilation

!NEW! Opel Passenger Car Sales up Almost 22 Percent in January

• Great start to 2016 with best January result since 2008
• Market share in Germany up by 1.2 percentage points
• Opel Astra shines with over 100,000 orders across Europe
• Further momentum expected from Opel Astra Sports Tourer Launch

Shooting star: Sales of the new Opel Astra topped 1,700 in January, an increase of more than 120 percent compared to sales of its predecessor in January of last year.

Opel has delivered excellent January result on the important German market: Opel passenger car sales were up by almost 22 percent compared to the same month of last year to around 16,500 cars. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker’s best January result since 2008 saw the brand outgrow the overall passenger car market considerably – it grew by 3.4 percent. Opel’s passenger car market share also grew by 1.2 percentage points to 7.6 percent – the highest January value for eight years.

Popular compact class car: 1,700 units of the new Opel Astra were driven away by customers across Germany in January.

Opel’s excellent start to the year is mainly based on the high demand for the new Astra. Over 1,700 units of the current generation, only launched last October, were sold in January – an increase of more than 120 percent compared to sales of its predecessor last January. The Astra claimed second please in the compact class segment (C-Segment). Over 100,000 orders for the winner of the Golden Steering Wheel have already been placed across Europe.

Opel Meriva was another driver for success on the German market: New registrations for Opel flexibility champion were up by roughly 22 percent to more than 1,300 units giving it first place in the MPV B-Segment.

Successful Meriva: Sales for the Opel flexibility champion were up by around 22 percent in Germany to more than 1,300 units

“We managed to take the momentum into January after posting good 2015 end of year results. We really got off to a perfect start: our product offensive is paying dividends. We expect a further boost from the Opel Astra Sports Tourer which will be delivered in Germany as of April,” said Jürgen Keller, Opel's Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Service Germany.

¹ Numbers based on preliminary figure of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA)

!NEW! 2015 Annual Results: Opel Delivers Best German Sales Figures for Four Years

2015 gave Opel its best sales performance in Germany since 2011 with over 229,000 new passenger cars being registered. Opel’s sales increased by around 10,300 units compared to the previous year, which is equivalent to growth of 4.7 percent.

On track: The new Opel Astra arrived at the dealerships in October and immediately increased sales in the compact class – in total, Opel sold 56,300 Astras in Germany in 2015.

In December alone, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker recorded registrations of more than 18,800 new vehicles – an increase of 2,400 units or 15 percent. Compared to the same month of 2014, Opel’s market share was up by 0.5 percentage points to 7.6 percent giving the company its best December passenger car market share since 2011.

The Opel Astra is one of the main reasons for the improvement. 56,300 units of the compact bestseller changed hands – up 21.6 percent compared to the previous years. “That is a remarkable success because the new Astra has only been at dealers since October. Our Golden Steering Wheel winner has given the brand an additional push and will continue to be one of our growth engines this year,” said Jürgen Keller, Opel's Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Service Germany. Opel expects the Astra to deliver further growth, especially as the Sports Tourer, a very popular car in Germany, will be at dealers in the spring.

The Opel Mokka compact SUV was also a guarantee for success. The company sold 31,200 units across Germany in 2015 – an increase of 12.4 percent compared to the previous year. Both the Opel Mokka and the compact Opel Meriva MPV topped their individual segments in 2015.

!NEW! AGR Ergonomic Wellness seats for All-New Opel Astra

• Art of German engineering: All-new comfort seats from Opel
• Unique in compact class: With massage and memory function, plus much more
• Tradition at Opel: AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) seal of approval
• Attractive offer: Ergonomic AGR driver’s seat already available from 390 euros

Unique in the compact class: Beyond being 18-way adjustable including side bolster adjustment, the Astra seats are now optionally available with massage and memory function along with ventilation.

The new Opel Astra celebrates its world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this fall (September 17 – 27, 2015), but it is already clear today: never before has there been so much luxury in the compact class. The Astra is lighter, more efficient and offers state-of-the-art features; thanks to its advanced seating technology, it makes every drive a relaxing journey. AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified premium Opel ergonomic seats provide excellent long-distance travel seating comfort. They continue the Opel tradition of award-winning, back-friendly seats. Beyond being 18-way adjustable including side bolster adjustment, they are now optionally available with further comfort features such as massage and memory function along with ventilation – a unique combination in the compact class. Rear seat passengers can also look forward to more luxury – in addition to more legroom, heated outer rear seats are optional. Astra customers can treat themselves to these luxury seats that are completely developed in-house at Opel for very attractive prices – the driver’s seat with the AGR seal of approval is already available from 390 euros.

Ergonomic AGR driver’s seat is already available from 390 euros.

“Seating is among the most important elements in a vehicle as it delivers safety, comfort, and design. It is one of the reasons we place such a high priority- with the support of our partners- on the development of our seating systems," says Charlie Klein, Vice President Vehicle Engineering at Opel. "The new Opel Astra seats continue to deliver on the promise of excellence and are a reflection of the skill and commitment of our engineers and designers. The Astra seats provide advanced features in the compact segment that are normally found only in the premium class."

Lightweight: Seat alone ten kilos lighter

Development of the seating environment in the new Astra already began nearly five years ago for the over 100 employees in the team of experts. “Especially integration of the relatively bulky seats must be considered from the very beginning. This means the seats have to fit into the car accurately to the last millimeter – in every direction,” says Andrew Leuchtmann, Senior Manager GME Interiors. A very challenging task, as the seat components are one of the car’s largest parts. Seat production alone accounts for around ten percent of the total production costs of a new car model.

At the same time, the seats have a large impact on total weight. That is why for their new development, the engineers first had to minutely examine all single elements of the Astra comfort seats that come as standard. “Compared to the predecessor, not one single part is identical,” says the expert. In order to offer rear seat passengers 35 millimeters more legroom, the seat back of the new comfort front seat was made much more compact. State-of-the-art calculation methods enable this, as do lighter polyurethane foams and ultra-high-strength steels that are built in under the seat upholstery. “So the new seats are around ten kilos lighter than those in the previous model,” explains Leuchtmann. This is not only true for the driver and co-driver seats – the new Astra’s rear seats are also lighter and more compact, their contouring was optimized and thigh support was enhanced with a steeper seat tilt.

AGR seal of approval for ergonomic seats

“In-vehicle ergonomics is more than just the seat contouring, it already begins with the positioning of the seat in the car,” says Leuchtmann. The Opel experts also further optimized the Astra comfort seat in this regard, positioning it lower. “This especially accommodates taller drivers with a sporty driving style,” he explains. Thanks to a 65-millimeter height adjustment span – the largest in the segment – shorter drivers are also guaranteed an optimum seating position. With the optional premium ergonomic seat’s memory function, this can even be saved at the press of a button. This is ideal for fleet vehicles with the same group of drivers or couples who share the new Opel Astra. The base version of the optional ergonomic seats comes with four-way electropneumatically adjustable lumbar support (forwards, backwards, up and down), variable seat cushion tilt, cushion length adjustment and a seat form with contours that adapt to the natural curvature of the spine. The premium ergonomic seats also feature electropneumatically adjustable side bolsters that support the body by making the seatback narrower or wider. All these exemplary ergonomic elements made it clear to the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs), an independent association of doctors and experts dedicated to preventing back problems, that the new Astra also deserves the AGR seal of approval.

Wellness massage, climate control and heating included

Seats should not only keep drivers securely in place, they should also keep them warm or cool depending on the prevailing conditions. The new Astra comfort seat features passive climate control, meaning breathable surface fabrics and perforated polyurethane foams that considerably improve transporting away moisture and thereby the micro climate in the seat. The new Astra’s premium ergonomic seats can do both – keep warm and cool. Small fans suck air, and thus the moisture that develops when someone is in the seat, away from the body. In the winter, integrated seat heating keeps the driver and co-driver as well as both outer rear seat passengers comfortably warm. Those who want to turn their car into a wellness mobile on longer journeys can enjoy a massage at the push of a button – and arrive at their destination even hours later relaxed and free of aches or pains.

Opel Signum (2003)

Opel Signum (2003) - First Opel with Ergonomic AGR seat.

Opel is the leading volume manufacturer of ergonomic seats with the AGR seal of approval. The first ergonomic Opel seat was introduced with the Signum in 2003. Today, in addition to the new Astra, the certified and popular seats can be ordered for many Opel models including the Insignia, Meriva, Zafira Tourer, Mokka and Cascada. “We want to really speed up the democratization of good seats – more Opel models with AGR seats will follow,” promises Andrew Leuchtmann.

!NEW! Opel is Leader for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• New Opel Astra K will be first in class to offer compatibility with both solutions
• Phone integration in other Opel models to be announced soon

Simple handling: A “Projection” icon on the infotainment touch-screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (whichever is applicable) when a compatible phone is connected via USB.

As of this summer, Opel will begin offering phone integration featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its model range.

Starting with the new-generation Astra, which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 17 to 27), Opel will roll-out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its mini, small, compact and midsize models during model year 2016.

“Phone integration is a smart and simple way to use your smartphone in your car,” says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “We are offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration across the range, at the most attractive prices on the market. These applications, in addition to Opel OnStar, our personal connectivity and service assistant, show again how we are playing a leading role in enabling customers to connect with their cars.”

Opel’s new generation IntelliLink infotainment concept gives owners a smart and simple way to access both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. R 4.0 IntelliLink will be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration at the beginning of the 2016 model year, with Android Auto compatibility on Touch R 700 and Navi 900 IntelliLink systems scheduled to arrive in the course of 2016.

Phone integration: Opel will roll-out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its mini, small, compact and midsize models starting in September.

Each system builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto.

Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. That allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay.

Using either application in a compatible Opel is simple. A “Projection” icon on the infotainment touch-screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (whichever is applicable) when a compatible phone is connected via USB. Android Auto requires a phone running Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or above, while Apple CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or later.

Compatible apps need to be downloaded to a phone before using. Apple and Google’s privacy statements and terms of use apply. Data plan rates may also apply.

As of the 2016 model year, the Opel Meriva, Mokka, current Astra J GTC, current Astra J sedan, Zafira Tourer and Cascada with Navi 650 or CD600/Navi 950 IntelliLink infotainment systems will offer an embedded app for AUPEO! Personal Radio.

Opel infotainment systems available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the course of 2016
R 4.0 IntelliLink	Touch R700/Navi 900 IntelliLink
Opel KARL	Opel KARL
Opel ADAM	New Opel Astra K
Opel Corsa E	Opel Insignia
New Opel Astra K

New Milestone in Figueruelas: 12 Million Opel Vehicles Produced

• A fifth generation Opel Corsa is the milestone car
• Figueruelas, cornerstone of the Aragón economy
• Milestone coincides with GM’s celebrations of 500 million manufactured cars

Proud employees: Red Opel Corsa is the 12 millionth car produced in Zaragoza.

A new milestone has been set in the General Motors España plant in Figueruelas: The 12 millionth unit rolled of the production line, a fifth generation Opel Corsa Color Edition. The Corsa, Opel’s perennial bestseller, mainly targets a young audience and to date 10 million units have been manufactured in the Zaragoza plant in its almost 33 years of age making it a key player in reaching this production milestone.

Celebrating 12 million cars from Zaragoza: Antonio Cobo, Managing Director of GM Spain, and Francisco Esteban Gil, production employee from the press shop.

“Today is a day for celebrations, but also of gratitude. I would like to say 12 million thanks here today. One for each of the Corsa, Kadett, Astra, Tigra, Combo, Meriva and Mokka, that, during the last three decades, have promoted quality made in Spain not only throughout Europe but also beyond. I would also like to say thank you to each of the customers that put their trust in us,” said Antonio Cobo, Managing Director of GM España.

Antonio Cobo, Managing Director of GM Spain, gave a speech at the event in Zaragoza.

The attractive fifth generation Opel Corsa offers a modern appearance and a refined driving experience, with a new chassis and an optimized steering, combining German engineering with emotional design, superior connectivity and an unrivalled price/performance ratio. The new generation of gasoline engines and the thoroughly improved turbo diesel engines, ensure a new level of comfort along with lively performance combined with minimum consumption and reduced emissions.

The car that represents the 12 millionth unit is a five-door Opel Corsa Color Edition, equipped with an efficient new three cylinder 1.0 Turbo engine with 115 Hp. The magma red Corsa with a black roof is intended for the German market and comes with extensive connectivity features. The IntelliLink infotainment system brings the world smartphones to the car. Furthermore, the Corsa can look to the latest advances in active safety and driver assistance systems.

The anniversary car rolled off the production line this morning, driven by employee number 12,000: Francisco Esteban Gil Cañete. Cañete, an hourly production employee from the press shop has been with the company since 1989.

Since its inauguration in 1982, the GM España factory in Figueruelas has been a cornerstone of the economy in Aragón. Its economic value – the number of employees and automotive supply industry park that has been created in the direct vicinity – are vital for the region. Both General Motors and Opel have placed a lot of faith in the Spanish plant in terms of continuous investments that currently exceed euro 4.5 billion, nearly half of the total investment coming in the last ten years.

Its impact on the creation of direct and indirect employment is immense. In addition to the more than 5,000 employees of GM España, a further 28,000 people are employed by the almost 300 suppliers located in Aragón.

The Figueruelas plant is an essential part of the Opel strategy to return to profitability and of the new product offensive that will see the introduction of 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018.

This new milestone reached by the Aragón plant coincides with the celebration of the 500 million cars produced by the Opel parent company, General Motors, of which more than 68 million have been Opels and 3.7 million of these having been sold in Spain. In total, General Motors has sold nearly 4 million automobiles of many of its brands in Spain.

!NEW! Premium AGR seat: Opel’s Ergonomic Answer to Driver Fatigue

• Very ergonomic seats for Opel flagship Insignia, flexibility champion Meriva and Co.
• AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) gives stamp of approval
• State-of-the-art seats account for 10 percent of production costs

Top comfort for the Opel Insignia: Thanks to a range of adjustment functions, drivers can optimally adjust their ergonomic premium seat so that even after hours of driving, they arrive at their destination rested and free of pain.

The new Opel Insignia and new Opel Meriva are in demand: on the market since fall 2013 and early 2014, both models are hugely popular. Since its introduction, over 115,000 orders have been received for the new edition of the Opel flagship. And the upgraded version of the Meriva flexibility champion has been ordered more than 50,000 times in just a few months. The vehicles are not only distinguished by their ultra-modern engine technologies and advanced infotainment systems, they also ensure that the driver and co-driver have an extremely comfortable journey. AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs) certified premium Opel ergonomic seats provide excellent long-distance travel seating and back comfort. Thanks to a range of adjustment functions, drivers can optimally adjust their seat so that even after hours of driving, they arrive at their destination rested and free of pain. But before such an advanced and back-friendly seating design makes it to series production, many developments steps are necessary. There is a good reason seat engineering accounts for around ten percent of the production costs of a car.

Ergonomics and flexibility champion: Opel Meriva is the first car that received the AGR seal of approval for its certified ergonomic system.

Collaboration between Opel and AGR for optimum seating comfort

“Seats are veritable engineering masterpieces that include lightweight material, specific foam structures and numerous motors to carry out a multitude of tasks, such as heating and adjustments,” says Andrew Leuchtmann, Senior Manager GM Interiors, who is responsible for seat engineering. “Today, our seats are made to suit every size of person – tall, short, big, small – and this is critical to reduce fatigue on short or long trips.”

The very first Opel ergonomic seat was introduced with the Signum in 2003. Today, the ultra-modern and very popular Opel seats, which are the result of more than a dozen years of work and tight collaboration with the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs), an independent association that works on preventing back problems, can be ordered for many Opel models from Insignia, Meriva, Zafira Tourer to Astra, Mokka and Cascada.. The seats are developed in-house and safety is a major requirement for Opel. Safety aspects include airbags, occupant sensors and seat-belt tensioners. All these functions ensure that drivers and passengers in Opel cars always reach their destination safely and comfortably.

Opel is the first volume manufacturer to receive the AGR stamp of approval for its seats. To achieve this, four basic ingredients are required: four-way lumbar support (forward, backwards, up and down), cushion tilt, cushion length adjustment, and contour and body support.

“We worked together and combined their know-how with ours,” says Leuchtmann. “In the early days, different manufacturers claimed their seats were the best, but fleet managers often received complaints from drivers suffering from back and other pain.” Put simply, two-thirds of a person’s body should be in contact with the seat to avoid pressure points, which eventually translate into aches and discomfort. “Our seats,” Leuchtmann adds, “can be enlarged or made smaller to provide an ideal fit for any driver.”

Integrated Climate Control

“Seat construction is quite complex – we need to keep in mind foam construction, electrical comfort features, safety devices, headrests and more, and all this is apart from the structure, suspension nets and other support for users,” says Leuchtmann.

Integrated climate control: Ventilated seats are available for Opel Insignia and Opel Cascada.

One of the more complex jobs seats have to do – apart from providing support – is to keep users warm or cool in different conditions. “The seat climate is very important as you need to ensure, that moisture generated by the occupant is removed. Integrated channels make fabrics breathable and remove this moisture. With ventilated seats, small fans are inserted that effectively help keep drivers cool and dry,” says Leuchtmann. This system is available on the Insignia and Cascada. On the other hand, heating is also critical. “We heat nearly the entire seat surface,” Leuchtmann notes, which makes a considerable difference compared to systems that only heat parts of the seat.