Ramp up of New Opel Astra Production in Rüsselsheim

• All-New Astra is the cornerstone of Opel’s ongoing electrification strategy in 2022
• Newcomer makes clear statement with technologies it brings to the compact class

Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (on the right)

All-new Opel Astra rolls off the assembly line at the Rüsselsheim plant. Today, Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz welcomed Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, Hesse’s Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir and Rüsselsheim’s Lord Mayor Udo Bausch to the Rüsselsheim plant to witness the ramp up of production of the new Opel Astra. To date, around 500 new Opel Astra have already been produced. In the coming months, the new generation of the Opel Astra will be the cornerstone of the Rüsselsheim-based brand’s electrification offensive. All-new Astra five-door will arrive at customers in the spring – and will be available as a plug-in hybrid right from the start. In 2023, the purely battery-electric Astra-e will complete the range. 

Hesse’s Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir, Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Rüsselsheim’s Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (from left)

“All-new Astra has been developed with love and dedication down to the smallest detail. It was also the first car I presented when I took over as Opel CEO and I obviously have a special connection with this compact class bestseller,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz. “Designed, engineered and now produced at our traditional headquarters in Rüsselsheim, this newcomer will provide us with additional momentum. I am already looking forward to seeing all-new Astra at dealerships and in the hands of our customers in spring.”

“Opel is at home here in Hesse. For many generations now, Opel has not only been driven here, the people also continue to produce and develop the brand. The headquarters in Rüsselsheim are an important employer in the entire region. So it is particularly gratifying that the new Astra is rolling off the assembly line here in Rüsselsheim. With this, the company reinforces its commitment to secure the site. Hesse is also doing its part to ensure that the carmaker has good framework conditions for production, development and research. Automotive industry is currently undergoing a structural transformation. State Government of Hesse will continue to support Opel in mastering this challenge. With today's start of production and the conversion to electric mobility planned in 2028, the company demonstrates: It has its sights firmly set on the future,” said Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier and Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir.

“Increased competitiveness of the Rüsselsheim plant has ensured that this exciting model can be produced here,” said Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources and Labour Director. “This investment will allow work in two shifts and the skills, dedication and commitment of the employees will play a major part in the future success of our all-new Astra.”

“Team handled the numerous pandemic-related restrictions excellently. We are extremely proud to be the new home of the Astra – a state-of-the-art compact class bestseller in outstanding quality,” said Plant Manager Michael Lewald.

All-new Opel Astra is a design statement for the brand. Dynamic as never before, with sheer, taut surfaces, detoxed of superfluous elements and with the new brand face – Opel Vizor. The newcomer also makes a clear statement with the technologies and assistance systems it brings to the compact class. Innovations that customers are otherwise only familiar with from vehicles in higher segments. One highlight of the extensive portfolio is the latest version of the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Pixel light. System comes directly from the Opel flagships Insignia and Grandland, and with 168 LED elements, is a leader in the compact and midsize class.

A leap in time has taken place in the interior of the new generation Astra. With the fully digital Pure Panel, analogue instruments are consigned to history. Instead, the new human-machine-interface (HMI) with fresh, modern graphics offers customers a pure, more intuitive experience. Operation is via an extra-wide touchscreen. In addition, important settings such as climate control can still be selected directly via just a few switches. Never before has an Opel been so intuitive and easy to operate as the new Astra.

Outstanding seating comfort in the new compact class model is also typical of Opel. The front seats, developed in-house, are AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) with exemplary ergonomics, especially on long journeys. Driver is supported by optional state-of-the-art assistance systems ranging from the head-up display to the 360-degree view called Intelli-Vision.

Rüsselsheim plant starts into the electric future

Plant in Rüsselsheim is ready for the age of electromobility: Team at the Opel headquarters is pushing ahead with the extensive work on the implementation of the electrified EMP2 platform.

“Now the future of mobility is moving into our plant in Rüsselsheim. This is an important step in securing the future of the location, ”said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.

Plant manager Michael Lewald added: “Our team has done an excellent job over the past few months to enable the further developed EMP2 platform to be set up in this short period of time. We are very much looking forward to the electric future. "

Plant manager Michael Lewald 

Extensive work was carried out in all areas of the plant; A significant million contribution was invested in the Rüsselsheim plant.

In the paint shop, for example, the two-tone paintwork was set up and the so-called 3-wet process was introduced, a particularly emission-saving painting process. In the body shop, the systems for the new models have been set up in building K180. There were also extensive changes in the finishing and final assembly, in which, among other things, a new wedding and a new chassis line were built.

In addition, driverless transport systems are now also in use at the Rüsselsheim plant to ensure that the material delivery process runs smoothly. And all future models produced in Rüsselsheim will be tested on a completely new test track. Far-reaching innovations also include the IT systems and logistics processes.

Driverless transport systems 

EMP2 (Efficient Modular) platform is a flexible and efficient multi-energy platform that is used for vehicles in the C and D segment. Thanks to their high modularity, paired with variable chassis parameters, many model variants and thus a great deal of freedom in brand differentiation are possible.

Vehicles with conventional combustion engines and electrified vehicles can be produced on the same line thanks to the EMP2 platform, which brings an important degree of flexibility in the current ramp-up phase of electromobility: Production can respond to customer requests at any time.

New EMP2 platform enables the company to introduce a second production shift in Rüsselsheim. This is to start in autumn and is an important step in leading the plant into the future.Second shift will create around 300 additional jobs in final and final assembly this year, which will be filled internally with employees from areas of the company that are not sufficiently busy.

Stellantis prepares introduction of the second shift at the Rüsselsheim plant

• Stellantis is preparing the introduction of a second shift in its production facility in Rüsselsheim am Main
• This will create around 300 additional jobs in assembly and finishing this year

Organization of the second shift is made possible by the previously announced production of new models, the production of which will start this year in Rüsselsheim: From summer, a model of the French premium brand will be produced at the site with the new DS 4 and the next generation of the Opel Astra later in the year.

Right from the start of production, both models, which are based on the EMP2 (Efficient Modular) platform, will also be available as hybrids, making Rüsselsheim a future-proof production location for electrified vehicles. New positions are to be filled internally with employees from areas that are underutilized.

“Second shift is scheduled to start in autumn and is an important step in leading the Rüsselsheim plant into the future. We offer interested employees good prospects, because with the new electrified models, the plant will also be well utilized in the long term, ”said plant manager Michael Lewald. Opel Insignia, the flagship of the traditional German brand, is currently being produced at the Rüsselsheim plant.

!NEW! Production Start for All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer

• More than €500 million investment in production preparation
• Opel Insignia Grand Sport in abalone white stars at employee event
• Opel CEO Dr. Neumann praises work so far and emphasizes importance of All-New Opel Insignia

All systems go: Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Plant Manager Michael Lewald, Deputy Chairman of the Works Council Uwe Baum (from left to right) and the Rüsselsheim team celebrate the start of regular production of All-New Opel Insignia.

A new era begins today at Opel’s home plant in Rüsselsheim; the first Opel Insignia Grand Sport produced to customer order officially rolled off the assembly line on Tuesday. “We have been looking forward to today for a long time; our new flagship has finally arrived. This is an important day for Opel and Rüsselsheim,” said Opel CEO, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann during the celebrations for the start of production of the second generation Opel Insignia. We invested more than €500 million just to prepare for the production of our new flagship.” An Insignia Grand Sport in abalone white with 170 hp 2.0 liter diesel engine stood in the spotlight at the end of the production line.

Deputy Works Council Chairman, Uwe Baum said: “The team here in Rüsselsheim has once again demonstrated that they can deliver smooth production start-ups enabling great cars to leave the assembly line. The Works Council is especially grateful to them today, because the new Opel Insignia is an important part of the future for Opel, which would not be possible without the input of these colleagues.”

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann also praised the work of the whole team in the Rüsselsheim plant and added: “The new Opel flagship is a core element of our product offensive, which will reach a new peak with seven new models this year alone.”

Plant Manager, Michael Lewald thanked his workforce for their great efforts in successfully preparing and executing the start of production during the last months. “Our team did another great job and superbly executed this highly complex production-start. I am proud of our new flagship and the performance of the Rüsselsheim team.”

Production-start for Opel flagship: All-New Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer (right).

The order books for the new Opel Insignia Grand Sport and Sports Tourer opened on February 16. The first three production cars are destined for Poland, Denmark and Germany. The new Opel flagship just made its official world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. The car will be in dealer showrooms this summer.

Dr. Neumann is confident that the new edition of the Opel flagship will continue the success of its predecessor. Nine hundred and forty thousand (940,000) units of the first generation Opel Insignia – The 2009 European Car Of The Year – have been sold in total, making it the fourth best-selling Opel model.

Based on an all-new vehicle structure, the new Insignia is up to 200 kilograms lighter than its predecessor as well as lower and more spacious inside. The design is athletic yet elegant. One of the technology highlights is the intelligent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring – torque distribution to individual wheels within milliseconds. The new Insignia also offers a host of driver assistance systems that contribute to safety and make driving more comfortable and relaxing, such as the second-generation IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and active lane assist.

!NEW! Start of Production for New Opel Zafira in Rüsselsheim Plant

Opel CEO Dr. Neumann, VP Manufacturing Kienle and Plant Manager Lewald in attendance

 

Great start: The first new Opel Zafira has driven off the production line in Opel’s Rüsselsheim plant with Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Vice President Manufacturing Phil Kienle and Plant Manager Michael Lewald in attendance.

The first new Opel Zafira has driven off the production line in Opel’s Rüsselsheim plant with Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Vice President Manufacturing Phil Kienle and Plant Manager Michael Lewald in attendance. A Magma Red Zafira with OPC line package, equipped with AFL LED technology (AFL = Adaptive Forward Lighting) and radar-based adaptive cruise control was the first of its kind to leave the production line.

The new Zafira is the latest model in Opel’s product offensive, which will see 29 new models brought to market from 2016 through 2020.

“We have once again had a great start. I am proud to work with a team that is so passionate about our products, thus making such successes possible,” said Plant Manager, Michael Lewald.

The Opel Zafira has been synonymous with exceptional versatility and high comfort ever since 1999, when Opel introduced the revolutionary integrated Flex7^® seating system in the compact van segment. To date, 2.7 million Zafiras have been sold. It is especially popular with families and professionals looking for a spacious and versatile vehicle for long-distance travel.

The new Opel Zafira not only retains the qualities of its predecessor such as the AGR-certified ergonomic front seats (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.), the FlexFix^® bicycle carrier and the adaptive FlexRide chassis. It also comes with an equally expressive exterior design, newly designed cockpit and outstanding connectivity. The latest generation IntelliLink infotainment systems are compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the new personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar turns the new Zafira into a mobile 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot¹ for all occupants, thus making it a perfectly connected lounge on wheels. 

¹ Wi-Fi, when it becomes available, will require OnStar to be activated. Wi-Fi data connection will not be supplied by OnStar. Mobile network operator terms and conditions will apply. Charges will apply after applicable free trial period. Coverage and availability vary by location and conditions.