Saving Lives: 50 years of Seat Belts in all Opel Vehicles

• Ahead of the times: In 1973, Opel introduced seat belts as standard across range, three years before they became mandatory
• Start 1968: Opel Kadett, Admiral and Diplomat already available with front seat belts
• Comfortable: Opel Omega 1986 - first car with height-adjustable belts as standard
• Fine-tuned: New Opel Astra Electric with further developed “belt anti-lock braking system”

Newly developed electric motor, class-leading IntelliLux LED Pixel Light with a total of 168 LED elements, head-up display or natural voice recognition "Hey Opel" – first electrified Opel Astra is full of technical highlights. But the engineers have also further developed compact class bestseller in less visible areas. One safety specific feature now makes new Opel Astra Electric even safer: adaptive belt force limiter. It controls the belt force, which acts on the body during an impact, even more precisely in order to reduce injuries as far as possible and at the same time protect the driver as much as possible.

Adaptively controlled restraint system uses sensors to recognize severity of accident and optimally adapts belt force to course of crash. A plus in safety that can make all difference. Despite all airbags and assistance systems: “Seat belt is still the most important lifesaver in the car,” says Peter Schüßler, Manager of Passive Restraint Systems at Opel in Rüsselsheim. And the most important of all safety features is celebrating an even-number anniversary this summer: 50 years ago, in 1973, Opel began to install three-point belt systems with practical one-hand operation as standard in all models – and that three years prior to wearing seat belts became compulsory in Germany. A lot has happened in 50 years: an average of 15 metres of seat belts are installed in every Opel model. In total, after five decades, this results in around 750 million metres of seat belt webbing. This corresponds to 18 circumnavigations of equator.

Safety comes first at Opel: Seat belt as a lifesaver

As early as the 1960s, Opel engineers were testing seat belts as a life-saving restraint system in cars. As early as April 1968, Opel Kadett, Admiral and Diplomat, among others, could be ordered with front seat belts. Classic Opel Manta A coupé followed in October 1970. Opel lifesaver was also available as standard in sporty models – for example in Opel Kadett B Rallye from 1967 and in Opel Commodore A GS a year later.

At same time, Opel actively campaigned for acceptance of seat belts early on and thus assumed a pioneering role. In 1969, Opel engineers demonstrated results of their accident research programme to representatives of media at Dudenhofen Test Centre. 

Most important message: more than half of all accident victims could still be alive if they had worn seat belts. At the beginning of 1972, Opel’s management sent a letter to all employees, asking them to wear their seat belts – and offered all employees discounted belts for retrofitting. Offer proved hugely popular with 12,000 sets being provided within a very short time.

Significance recognised early on

General public were somewhat more reluctant to accept seat belt as an indispensable part of vehicle safety. Millions of people initially refused to “buckle up” when it became compulsory to wear seat belts as of January 1, 1976. At that time, many considered it to be too cumbersome to wear a seat belt. Especially when car was used by different family members and the seat belt had to be adjusted in each case. This problem was soon solved by the automatic seat belt retractor. For a long time, however, there seemed to be no cure for various prejudices such as: Belt curtails personal freedom, and its safety effect is questionable. But the concerns were silenced when the number of road fatalities began to fall.

Simultaneously, the safety specialists were constantly improving the systems. In 1986, Opel Omega was first car in world to offer height-adjustable seat belts at front and rear seats as standard. In 1991, Opel presented belt tensioner in Opel Astra F, followed by full-size airbag and active safety systems such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Airbags, in particular, further reduce risk of injury significantly – assuming that driver and passengers are actually buckled up. One system restrains body in event of a collision, other cushions impact. Seat belt absorbs around two-thirds of energy of an impact. First belt force limiters were used from 2000s to avoid peak loads. Other improvements increase comfort, such as electric seat belt feeder in convertibles.

Crucial millimetres: Collapsible steering column

Opel engineers identified another key factor for more safety back in 1960s: safety steering column. Preventing steering wheel and column from penetrating passenger compartment is still one of starting points of safety strategy. In event of an impact, steering column collapses slightly. In this way, system, in combination with seat belt and airbag, enables a dynamic crushable distance of up to 100 millimetres – crucial millimetres that minimise the risk of injury.

Adaptive belt force limiter now installed in Opel Astra Electric has an even more refined “anti-lock braking system” for belt. “Belt force is electronically controlled during the course of the impact,” the specialists explain. “In order to measure biomechanical load acting on the chest, four sensors are installed in THOR crash test dummy.” In earlier versions, only single measurements were possible. This increase in sensitivity was made possible by the latest generation of crash test dummies, which have been in use since 2020.

Sensors galore: New dummies provide crucial insights

Development of the safety belt is inextricably linked to the further development of the intelligent high-tech dummies that are used in tests to simulate the effects of an impact on the human body before a safety system is approved for series production. Youngest generation is known as THOR.  Abbreviation stands for “Test device for Human Occupant Restraint”. Equipped with over 120 sensors, THOR electronically senses and communicates what happens to it in event of an impact. With this dummy’s help, adaptive belt force limiter was developed, which was first used in Opel Mokka and now in Opel  Astra. It is another milestone in decades-long development of passive safety features. And possibilities are far from exhausted.

New challenges posed by automated driving

From 2026, for example, consumer protection tests are to evaluate injury values that consider the more fragile bone structure of senior citizens. Team in Rüsselsheim also has its sights firmly set on more distant future: Automated driving will alter a lot completely. Above all, because vehicle occupants will no longer necessarily sit facing forwards, but may face each other. And some could even be lying down. Seat belts could be fully integrated into seats. “We are already working intensively on what this means in detail for the restraint systems,” explains Peter Schüßler. With automated driving, the success story of seat belts, which has lasted for five decades, will then enter a new era of saving lives.

30 Years Ago: Opel First to Offer 3-Way Catalytic Converter as Standard

• From Opel Corsa to Opel Senator: Three-way catalytic converter on every model
• Pro-environmental investment: DM 1.0 billion for new test facilities and equipment
• Opel Ascona 1.8i: First German car with catalytic converter especially for Europe
• Today: All Opel passenger cars meet strict EURO 6d-TEMP emissions standard

Thirty years ago, on April 21, 1989, Opel announced it would become the first German car manufacturer to offer the three-way catalytic converter as standard equipment on all its passenger cars – from Corsa and Kadett, to Vectra, Omega and Senator. Or as Opel’s Managing Director at the time, Louis R. Hughes, told the journalists at the press conference in Bonn: “Opel is the first carmaker to offer the best environmental technology as standard across the model range, from compact car to limousine.”

3-Way Catalytic Converter

But true to the entrepreneurial motto, “do the unexpected”, Opel went even further: in order to make it easier for customers to buy a car with the climate-friendly technology, the company also lowered prices for many models.

Opel continues to take its responsibility for the environment seriously today. All current Opel passenger cars already meet the strict Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard; and on the eve of the breakthrough for electric mobility, the carmaker is now putting the finishing touches to two of its next big steps towards sustainable mobility: Opel Grandland X as plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and the battery-powered version of the next-generation Corsa. Opel will open the order banks for both cars later this year. Every European Opel passenger car model will have an electrified version by 2024.

From Corsa to Senator: Three-way catalytic converter on every model

March 1988: with 20,451 units, Opel has established itself as the leader in new registrations of cars with three-way catalytic converters in Germany. By the end of the year the number had increased to 208,000. The amount of Opel cars equipped with catalytic converters rose again in early 1989 following the introduction of the Vectra, which Opel offered with the three-way catalytic converter as standard right from the start of sales.

The automotive engineering community at the time was convinced that there was no alternative to the three-way catalytic converter if exhaust emissions were to be reduced as much as possible. While the three-way converter removed around 90 per cent of the emissions, it was only about 50 per cent with a conventional two-way converter or 60 percent with a lean-burn engine. The three-way converter performed even better when it came to nitrogen oxides, with a reduction of 90 percent.

Opel’s smallest car with three-way catalytic converter in 1989 was the Corsa, fitted as standard with a 44 kW (60hp) 1.3-litre fuel-injection engine. Then came the 1.3-litre Kadett in the compact class, while the midsize Vectra featured not only a 55 kW (75 hp) 1.6-litre base engine, but also an 85 kW (115 hp) 2.0-litre power unit.

In the upper midsize class, the Omega was equipped as standard with the 85 kW (115 hp) 2.0 engine. The top-of-the-line model with three-way catalytic converter was the Senator. The Opel flagship was available with two 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder engines that produced 115 kW (156 hp) and 130 kW (177 hp) respectively.

Offering the three-way catalytic converter as standard across the range was the provisional climax of an environmental offensive that Opel had started five years before.

Exemplary behaviour: Opel shows responsibility for environmental protection

In the early 1980s, a discussion about acid rain and dying forests took hold in Germany. Emissions of nitrogen oxides were identified as a contributory factor. Road traffic, as well as industry, was seen as a cause.

Opel immediately recognised its responsibility for the protection of the environment and committed more than one billion Deutsche Mark (DM), as well as hundreds of engineers, to the development of catalytic converters.

Opel invested DM 100 million alone in new test rigs and test equipment for durability and high-speed testing. The new facilities included a 13-storey-high “soak tower”. In this insulated building, more than 130 cars could be prepared simultaneously for emissions testing. The legal standards required that, before the emissions test, each car had to be stored for at least 12 hours at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Initially, most catalytic converters in Europe were just modifications of the U.S. version. But with the introduction of the Opel Ascona 1.8i in early 1985, Opel was the first German manufacturer to bring a model onto the market with a catalytic converter that was specially developed for European conditions. The first example actually produced was delivered to the Rhineland-Palatinate police force.

Environmental offensive: Catalytic converter at no extra cost

Environmental offensive continued the following autumn, when Opel presented the first European small car with three-way catalytic converter, the Corsa 1.3i. In 1986, the carmaker offered the new Opel Omega at no additional cost for the catalytic converter. Launches of the Opel Senator (1987) and the Opel Vectra (1988) followed the same strategy. Additionally, all Opel cars with three-way catalytic converter were equipped with active carbon filters for capturing hydrocarbons that escaped from the fuel tank.

!NEW! Vauxhall Heritage Centre Open Day celebrates a year of milestones

• Heritage Centre Open Day Sunday, 24th August 2014
• Free Entry
• Over 50 historic Vauxhalls on display, from 1903 to the present day
• A year of anniversaries including 10 years of VXR and 100 years of D-Type Staff Car

Cars outside the Vauxhall Heritage Centre

Vauxhall will be showcasing its private collection of historic cars to the public for one day only on Sunday, 24th August, 10:00am until 4:00pm.

Based at the Heritage Centre in Park Street, Luton, visitors will be able to view the company’s collection for free, including over 50 veteran, vintage and post-war Vauxhalls from 1903 to modern times, as well as a number of unique concept cars.

Vauxhall D-Type Staff Car 

This year, the Vauxhall Heritage Centre’s Open Day will highlight a multitude of milestones from the collection. The D-Type Staff Car, a true icon of the First World War, celebrates its centenary in 2014, while the Firenza ‘Droop Snoot’ marks 40 years since start of production, and the Calibra and Lotus Carlton each hit the quarter century.

Vauxhall Firenza HP 'Droopsnoot' 

Vauxhall Calibra

Lotus Carlton 

Back to the 21st Century, the all-new 576bhp VXR8 GTS will be on display, along with the very first VXR model – a VX220 – which launched the sporty brand 10 years ago.

Vauxhall VXR 220 

Vauxhall Monaro VXR500 

The open day will run from 10am to 4pm with food and refreshments on sale, as well as entertainment including pedal cars and face painting for children. The day is perfect for all ages of car enthusiasts, and a great way for all the family to celebrate a collection of anniversaries!

!NEW! Opel four-valve engines look back on 100 year tradition

First four-valve engine: In 1913, Opel developed a new generation of racing cars for the Grand Prix de France, a forerunner of today’s formula one races.

1913 Grand Prix car: First Opel with four-valve engine

Opel Kadett GSi 16V: First Opel volume model with four-valves per cylinder

Opel Calibra Turbo 4x4: First Opel with gasoline turbo engine

Opel ECOTEC DTI 16V: First direct injection turbo diesel with four-valve technology

Opel 1.0 ECOTEC Turbo

Opel 1.6 ECOTEC Turbo

Opel 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC

The all-new turbocharged 1.6 liter gasoline and diesel engines which began the current renewal of Opel’s powertrain portfolio, and the compact 1.0 three-cylinder turbo that made its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show, are the latest in a long line of Opel engines with four valves per cylinder that stretches back 100 years.

In 1913, Opel developed a new generation of racing cars for the Grand Prix de France, a forerunner of today’s formula one races.

1913 Grand Prix car - First Opel with four-valve engine

Opel produced three of these cars, each one built down to a rigorous weight limit of only 1000 kg. The real highlight, however, was under the hood, where an innovative new four-cylinder power unit provided the motive force.

First four-valve engine: In 1913, Opel developed a new generation of racing cars for the Grand Prix de France, a forerunner of today’s formula one races.

In addition to an aluminum crankcase and a single camshaft in the cylinder head, the 4.5 liter, 110 hp engine also featured two intake valves and two exhaust valves per cylinder – Opel’s first internal combustion engine with four valves per cylinder.

From “Green Monster” to Ascona 400

Opel Green Monster 

Opel further developed the concept the following year, resulting in the most gigantic automobile the company has ever made – the 12.3 liter “Opel Rennwagen”, also known as “Das grüne Monster”, the “Green Monster”.

Opel Green Monster - 12.3 liter 4-valve engine developed a huge 260 hp

The revised 12.3 liter 4-valve engine developed a huge 260 hp, capable of propelling the 2000 kg “Monster” to a maximum speed of 228 km/h!

Opel works racing driver, Carl Joerns, scored most of his victories in this magnificent car, especially in beach races on the Danish island of Fanø.

Four valves per cylinder went out of fashion throughout the automotive industry in the 1920s. They did not reappear until the late 1950s, in motor racing, and it was via rallying that Opel introduced the technology to its road cars in 1979.

In order to compete in group 4, the top class of rallying at the time, with the Ascona 400, Opel had to produce a “road-going” model. While the rally-thoroughbred featured a newly developed, 177 kW (240 hp), 4-valve power unit, the homologation-special was equipped with a 140-hp version of the 2.4-liter engine.

1979 Opel Ascona 400 -  Rally version

Despite this detuning, the “street-legal” Ascona 400 was still good enough for a maximum speed of 200 km/h and zero to 100 km/h-acceleration in 7.6 seconds.

1979 Opel Ascona 400 -  Road version

In the 1980s, four-valve engines became increasingly attractive, not only because of their inherent horsepower-advantage, but also because of their lower fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions.

1988 Opel Kadett GSi - 2.0 16V engine produced 110 kW (150 hp)

When Opel introduced the legendary Kadett GSi 16V in 1988, the brand’s first volume-model with four valves per cylinder, it immediately became an industry-icon.

1988 Opel Kadett GSi 2.0 16V 

Opel 2.0 16V DOHC – The engine to beat

The technological highlight of the new high performance engine designed by Dr. Fritz Indra was its aluminum cylinder head developed in cooperation with Cosworth, the famous English racing engine builder.

Opel 2.0 16V DOHC Engine

The sporty engine 2.0 16V produced 110 kW (150 hp) and maximum torque of 196 Nm at 4800 rpm. Ninety-percent of this torque was already available in a wide rev-band between 3100 and 6000 rpm.

With its specific fuel consumption of 232 g/kWh, equivalent to an efficiency rating of 37 percent, the engine was a long-standing benchmark for specific fuel consumption in four-cylinder power units.

The Opel 2.0 16V became the engine to beat in many other disciplines, too – in Formula 3 motor racing, for example, which produced so many future F1-stars like Michael Schumacher, Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfeld and Alexander Wurz. During the classic era from the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, Opel F3 engines established themselves as the most successful in the world.

Opel Formula 3 

Despite factory-supported competition from Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and VW, Opel scored 164 F3 victories in Germany alone, plus another 30 national championship titles around the world.

Opel Formula 3 

Opel rapidly spread four-valves per cylinder to the rest of its powertrain portfolio.

The company applied four-valve technology to the smooth-running, inline six-cylinder engine in its top-of-the-line models, Omega and Senator, in 1989.

Four valves per cylinder + “Dual Ram” = Omega 3000 24V

Think big: Opel applied four-valve technology to the smooth-running, inline six-cylinder engine in its top-of-the-line models, Omega and Senator, in 1989.

1989 Opel Omega 3.0 24V  

Thanks to the so-called “Dual Ram” induction system the engine was famous for its impressive power delivery at low revs. With 90 percent of the 270 Nm maximum torque available between 3000 and 5800 rpm, the Omega 3000 24V, for example, could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.

1989 Opel Omega 3000 24V  

By the way, the 3000 24V also provided the basis for the strongest Omega ever, the Lotus Omega, which was powered by a 3.6 liter, twin-turbocharged version of the engine developing 277 kW (377 hp). At the time, the Lotus Omega ranked just behind an extremely powerful Alpina limo as the fastest production-sedan in the world.

Lotus Omega 3.6 24V BiTurbo: The six-cylinder provided the basis for the strongest Omega ever, the Lotus Omega, which was powered by a 3.6 liter, twin-turbocharged version of the engine developing 277 kW (377 hp).

The 2.0 16V from the Kadett GSi provided the basis for the first Opel turbocharged gasoline engine, which made its world premiere at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show in the Calibra Turbo 4x4.

1991 Opel Calibra Turbo 4x4

The 150 kW (204 hp) 2.0 16V turbo was notable not only for its high torque of 280 Nm at only 2400 rpm, but also the turbocharger and the exhaust manifold, which were integrated in a single component. The extremely low thermal losses of this integrated system significantly increased the efficiency of the turbocharger.

With all wheel drive: The 2.0 16V from the Kadett GSi provided the basis for the first Opel turbocharged gasoline engine, which made its world premiere at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show in the Calibra Turbo 4x4.

Despite the 42-percent higher torque and 36-percent higher power-output of the 2.0 16V Turbo compared with the naturally aspirated version, the average fuel consumption of both engines in the Calibra was almost the same – 8.9 versus 8.7 l/100 km.

This tradition of high performance and high efficiency begun by the 2.0 16V in 1988 continues today with the new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo gasoline engines.

Opel 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo: New powerful and highly efficient gasoline engine with 170 and 200 hp

Opel’s reputation for innovative four-valve engines reached another peak in 1996 when the company became the first automobile manufacturer to combine the advantages of four-valve technology with diesel direct-injection and turbocharging.

Direct - Injection Turbo diesels with patented valve train

Opel ECOTEC DTI 16V: Opel’s reputation for innovative four-valve engines reached another peak in 1996 when the company became the first automobile manufacturer to combine the advantages of four-valve technology with diesel direct-injection and turbocharging.

The ECOTEC DTI 16V diesels delivered high low-end torque, as well as low fuel consumption and emissions. The performance spectrum of the 2.0 and 2.2 liter engines stretched from 60 kW (82 hp) and 74 kW (100 hp) up to 92 kW (125 hp). They featured a patented valve-train operated by a single overhead camshaft.

The introduction of the all-new, four-cylinder, 1.6 liter CDTI turbo family earlier this year demonstrates how Opel continues to play a leading role in diesel engine development.

New Opel 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC - Euro 6 diesel engine

Featuring closed-loop combustion control and an aluminum block, the new 1.6 CDTI is the first diesel from Opel to comply with future Euro 6 emissions requirements, delivering climate friendliness, low fuel consumption, class-leading refinement, and high power/torque density.

Drivers can look forward to more such benefits in the immediate future, as Opel continues its current product-offensive and long-standing tradition of technological innovation. By 2016, the Rüsselsheim manufacturer will have renewed 80 percent of its powertrain portfolio.

!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

Opel celebrates 150th Anniversary

• From sewing machine manufacturer to one of the biggest European car makers
• Since its founding, Opel always synonymous for affordable mobility
• Leadership role in futuristic E-mobility market

A tribute to industrial history: Adam Opel statue in front of  main gates in Rüsselsheim

Opel celebrates this year 150th anniversary. In 1862, the founding father, Adam Opel, could hardly have envisaged that his firm would one day become one of the biggest car makers in Europe.

The founding father Adam Opel (1837-1895)

In the year 1862, Adam Opel uses his father’s locksmith workshop in Rüsselsheim, Germany, to make sewing machines. The business takes off. Soon bicycles are sold and in 1886, the first bike, the “Velociped” model has its market launch. Bicycles from Rüsselsheim quickly become popular. By the middle of the nineteen-twenties, Opel has established itself as the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer. In the meantime, motorbikes have also been added to the list of products. Opel’s automotive history starts in 1899, making it the second-oldest car maker in Germany after Daimler-Benz.

First car made in Rüsselsheim: Opel Patent motorcar Lutzmann system (1899)

In the fall of 1902, Opel presents the “Lutzmann motorcar patent” with a 10/12 hp engine. The cars soon enjoy growing popularity: by 1906 already more than 1,000 such vehicles have rolled off the production line. By 1914, Opel has overtaken all its competitors and is the biggest car maker in Germany. The brand makes a name for itself as a maker of popular and affordable blockbuster models such as “Doktorwagen” (1909) or “Puppchen” (1914). These models lay the foundations for Opel’s company ethos of delivering high quality, reliable and affordable vehicles for a wide segment of customers.                      

Opel car production - Assembly hall in Rüsselsheim (1906)

Legendary Opel 4/12 hp earned the nickname 'Laubfrosch' (1924)

The 1920s embody the trailblazing spirit of Opel which endures to this day. This is the era of the “Laubfrosch” (engl. tree frog) and “Rakete” (engl. rocket) vehicles. The small 4/12 hp is known by its nickname “Laubfrosch” or “tree frog” because it is painted in bright green colors. In 1924, Opel is the first German car maker to use an automated assembly line. In addition, the company starts carrying spectacular rocket tests that grab the headlines. For example, in 1928  Opel’s rocket car breaks the land speed record on the Berlin Avus race track. Fritz von Opel achieves a speed of 238 km/h; a sheer unimaginable feat in those days. One year later Opel takes to the skies: its Opel Sander RAK 1 takes off from a large plaza in Frankfurt, making it the first ever publicly manned rocket flight, albeit a short one.
 

Fritz von Opel, also known as 'Rocket Fritz' breaks land speed rekord with Opel Sander RAK 2 (1928)

 


1929 marks the start of tough times for the car industry. Millions lose their jobs in the global economic crisis. The world economy collapses like a house of cards in at the end of the “roaring twenties”. However, Opel reacts quickly and finds a strong partner in the American giant, General Motors. The car maker from Rüsselsheim is able to consolidate its market position and in 1935 is able to raise its annual output to above the 100,000 vehicles mark. Among the products is the new “Blitz” truck which is made at the Brandenburg plant. At that time the Rüsselsheim car maker launch a technical innovation: the Olympia is the first German production vehicle with a self-supporting body only made from steel. A year later, the company lays the foundations for a 75 year success story in the compact class that reaches all the way to the present. Starting at the first Kadett, there is an almost seamless tradition to the present day with the Astra family. By 1936, Opel is the biggest car manufacturer in Europe with an annual output of over 120.000 vehicles.

Start of the compact segment: First Opel Kadett rolls off Rüsselsheim assembly line (1936)

After civilian production was suspended in the war year, Opel resumes its work in the period of Germany’s reconstruction. The German economic miracle is associated with many Opel model names such as the Olympia, Olympia Rekord, Rekord P1 and the Kapitän, while many households are equipped with Opel fridges called “Frigidaire” to keep their food fresh. In 1962, which coincides with Opel’s 100^th birthday, the second plant of the brand is opened in Bochum, where the new Kadett is produced. In the nineteen-sixties numerous new models are born that consolidate Opel’s sporty and emotional reputation, including the legendary and iconic Commodore, Manta and GT models. Opel also has a strong presence in the upper segment with its prestigious KAD line-up (Kapitän, Admiral, Diplomat) which are later replaced by the Senator and Monza.                                                 

Opel Olympia on its way to the Glossglockner moutain in Alps (1955)

Opel Kadett A assembly in Bochum (1962)

In 1971, the tenth millionth Opel rolls off the assembly line. In that year, Georg von Opel who drives an Opel GT breaks the speed record for battery propulsion by reaching 188 km/h. This is evidence that Opel has the topic of electro mobility on its agenda – decades before anybody has even thought of it. Nowadays Opel is a pioneer in this field: the 111 kW (150 hp) Ampera which is fitted with the revolutionary range extender is the world’s first production electric vehicle not limited to battery-related range.

'Only flying is better' - This advertising slogan is almost famous as the racy Opel GT

In 1972, Opel is Germany’s most successful car maker. A new range of models is born in Rüsselsheim which focuses on safety, consumption and environmental friendliness. The fifth Kadett generation which appears with front wheel drive for the first time has a drag co-efficient as low as C_D 0.39, making it one of the most aerodynamic compact cars. These record breaking figures are continued with the Omega A (C_D 0.28) and the Calibra (C_D 0.26). In the 1980s the subject of emission control becomes a focal point. Opel is among the pioneers. The Rüsselsheim brand is the first German company to offer a complete fleet with catalytic converters. From 1989, all its models are fitted with this technology.  

 

Opel Omega A (1986)

 

Opel Calibra (1989)

 In 1991, the Opel safety system has its debut in the Astra. It comprises side impact protection, supports in the seats and belt tensioners. The brand once again shows that it is a trend setter with the new Frontera. The leisure vehicle is one of the predecessors to the SUV movement and rapidly rises to the position of segment leader. In 1992, Opel opens the gates of its Eisenach plant – at the time the most modern plant in the world. Then Opel launches several models: 1997 Opel becomes the first European manufacturer to offer an economical three cylinder by bringing the Corsa to market. In 1999, the Zafira makes its debut. The Rüsselsheim company lays the foundations for the booming compact monocab segment and sets new standards for flexibility in the interior of family vehicles. Also in that year, Opel celebrates a glamorous product jubilee: 50 million Opel cars have so far left its auto plants.  

Opel Astra F - side impact protection (1991)

Opel Astra F - seats and belt tensioners (1991)

With the launch of the Insignia in 2008, Opel carries out a repositioning of the brand. The new flagship models start a new brand philosophy: to combine sculptural artistry with German precision. This idea is continued with the recent Zafira Tourer and the Astra GTC.   

 

Opel Insignia assembly in Rüsselsheim (2009)

Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall now sell cars in more than 40 countries. The company has a workforce of around 40.500 at plants and engineering centers in six European nations. In the year 2010 alone, Opel/Vauxhall sold more than 1.1 million cars and light commercial vehicles and achieved a market share of 6.2 percent in Europe. With the launch of the electric Ampera, the traditional brand starts a new segment in the European automotive industry and underscores its role as a trendsetter for progressive mobility solutions.