Stellantis Zaragoza produces its 15 millionth vehicle

• Stellantis Zaragoza has produced its 15 millionth car, a 100% electric Opel Corsa-e that multi-brand plant produces exclusively worldwide together with thermal version of this model and Citroën C3 Aircross and Opel Crossland SUVs

• Stellantis Zaragoza is a pioneer in benchmark methods and practices in the Group, and is firmly committed to respecting environment, with intensive use of renewable energy

• Stellantis Zaragoza reaches a new milestone in its more than four decades of experience with the production of its 15 millionth vehicle, a 100% electric Opel Corsa-e that plant produces exclusively worldwide together with thermal version of this model and Citroën C3 Aircross and Opel Crossland SUVs

In these four decades, compact vehicles such as Opel Kadett or Opel Astra, sports-oriented coupes such as the Opel Tigra, minivans such as Opel Meriva, commercial vehicles such as Opel Combo or SUV like the Opel Mokka.

Opel Corsa is an icon for Stellantis Zaragoza, which opened its doors in 1982 to produce this model, with which it has maintained a more than lasting relationship since it has manufactured its six generations. Precisely, with sixth generation of Opel Corsa and Opel Corsa-e, electrification arrived at plant, continuing with a technological modernization that is the hallmark of the plant.

Citroën C3 Aircross SUV is produced in Stellantis Zaragoza and a few weeks ago it crossed the barrier of more than 500,000 units produced. For its part, Opel Crossland has been produced at this plant since 2017 and 560,000 units have already been manufactured.

In 2021, Battery Assembly Workshop was inaugurated in Stellantis Zaragoza, which assembles the traction chains of the Opel Corsa-e and Citroën ë-C4, manufactured in Stellantis Madrid.

During all this time, Stellantis Zaragoza has made diversification and innovation compatible with respect for the environment. Today, in line with the Group's Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, the plant stands out for its commitment to renewable energy and environmentally friendly production.

It has a self-consumption solar plant that covers a third of the electricity consumption of the factory. Soon, the installation of photovoltaic panels and wind stations will continue, with the aim of ensuring 80% of electricity needs of the factory in 2024.

“It is a very special circumstance that 15 millionth vehicle that leaves our assembly lines is precisely an Opel Corsa-e, because it is the 100% electric version of model with which factory was inaugurated in 1982. It combines past, present and future of this multi-brand plant. It is a tribute to commitment of our workers over years, to our ability to adapt and to our highest level of demand and quality”, affirms José Luis Alonso Mosquera, Director of  Stellantis Plant in Zaragoza.

Zaragoza plant increases its production by 6%

• The Zaragoza factory closed 2017 with 382,425 vehicles, 6% more than the previous year.
• An improvement achieved thanks to the launch of two new models: Opel Crossland X and Citroen C3 Aircross.
• Fifth consecutive year in which the Aragonese plant increases its production and, therefore, improves the utilization of its productive capacity.

Final assembly at Zaragoza plant

The Zaragoza plant, which since August belongs to the Groupe PSA and is for the first time in its history a multi-brand plant, produced 382,425 vehicles in 2017: 196,424 Opel Corsa, 17,910 Opel Meriva (model that manufactured until March 2017), 68,172 Opel Mokka X, 62,885 Opel Crossland X and 37,034 Citröen C3 Aircross.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Aragonese plant has managed to increase its production volumes thanks to the allocations and the launch of new models. Undoubtedly, an important recovery and improvement towards the objective of full use of its productive capacity (480,000 units).

Opel Corsa, Opel Mokka X, Opel Crossland X and Citröen C3 Aircross from Zaragoza multi-brand plant.

Currently the Zaragoza plant, using 80% of its installed capacity, manufactures the following models: Opel Corsa 5 doors, 3 doors and Van, Opel Crossland X, Opel Mokka X and Citröen C3 Aircross (including LPG, or CNG versions).

In 2017, 89% of the vehicles produced in Zaragoza were exported to other countries mainly European and the remaining 11% went to the Spanish market. Among its main export countries are: Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, France and Belgium.

PRODUCTION IN ZARAGOZA:

Model	2016	2017	Variation
OPEL CORSA		196,424
OPEL MERIVA (until March 2017)		17,910
OPEL MOKKA X		68,172
OPEL CROSSLAND X (from April 2017)		62,885
CITRÖEN C3 AIRCROSS (from August 2017)		37,034
Total	361,411	382,425	6%

Years	Units produced	Increase over the previous year
2012	264,975
2013	281,171	6%
2014	319,593	14%
2015	359,454	12%
2016	361,411	1%
2017	382,425	6%
	2017 vs 2012	44%

!NEW! Strong February for Opel: Sales Increase of more than 28 Percent

• Market share in Germany now at 7.7 percent
• Best February market share for Opel since 2012
• Opel Astra leads the way with more than 130,000 orders across Europe

Driving force: New Opel Astra is well received by the customers and registered a year-on-year sales increase of 84 percent in February.

Opel registered its second record-breaking month in a row on the German market in February. The brand’s passenger car sales were up by over 28 percent to 19,160 units compared to the same month of last year. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker thus outgrew the overall market significantly with overall figures increasing by over 12 percent. Opel’s market share increased by around 1 percentage point to 7.7 percent – the best February result since 2012. Opel recorded an overall increase of more than 25 percent (or 7,200 units) in the first two months of 2016, outgrowing the overall market threefold (increase of 7.8 percent). Opel’s market share grew by over 1 percentage point to 7.6 percent in this period.

The strong performance in February is once again based on the high demand for the new European “Car of the Year” – the new Opel Astra. The latest generation compact car was sold more than 2,300 times in February – an increase of around 84 percent compared to the performance of the previous model last year. Across Europe Opel has already received around 130,000 orders for the bestseller.

The Opel Corsa was also a guarantee for success. Sales for it were up 29.5 percent in February and registrations of 4,486 units gave it second place in its segment (Car-B and KBA small car segment). Elsewhere, Meriva registrations were up by almost 22 percent. The Opel flexibility champion defended pole position in the MPV-B segment. The Opel Mokka also succeeded in holding off the competition in the SUV-B segment.

“After an already good January we managed to put in an even better performance in February. It shows just how attractive our current portfolio is. The new Opel Astra, the European ‘Car of the Year’ is exceptionally well received and registered growth of 84 percent in February,” said Jürgen Keller, Executive Director Sales, Marketing & Service Germany.

!NEW! Opel España Announces 1,400 New Hires by 2018

• More than 25 percent of current workforce to be replaced in the next four years
• Aim is to rejuvenate staff, improve job opportunities and to reduce youth unemployment
• Agreement with INAEM (Aragón Employment Institute) for pre-selection of candidates

New cooperation: Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España signed the agreement

Opel España is rejuvenating its workforce: More than 25 percent of the current staff of the Figueruelas (Zaragoza) plant will be replaced over the next four years. During this time, Opel will hire more than 1,400 new employees. The new members of the Opel team will take over positions made available by those born between 1954 and 1957 who are leaving to go into partial retirement. The project is part of a cooperation agreement with INAEM (Aragón Employment Institute), designating this organization responsible for Opel’s employee selection processes during the next four years.

The agreement was signed today by Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España. The Minister of Economy and Employment of the Regional Government, Francisco Bono, also attended the ceremony.

Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España.

“This initiative will help us find and promote talent, develope the employment opportunity capacities of our youth, as well as create a future for Aragón and for Spain,” said Antonio Cobo. “The agreement is part of the workforce rejuvenation plan that Opel España is executing in order to successfully meet the challenges of the future.”

“Opel is committed to a competitive business model based on sustainability and social, environmental and economic concerns which will offer the greatest possible benefit to the Spanish and Aragonese society. We want to make the community we are a part of a better place, and thereby contribute to creating a better tomorrow for future generations in Aragón and Spain,” Cobo added.

"The agreement is further evidence of the Opel España’s commitment in Aragon. It shows the confidence this important company has in our community and also the capacity of the Government of Aragon, INAEM in this case, to respond to the needs of the Aragonese economy, in particular, businesses and workers," said the President of Aragon, Luisa Fernanda Rudi.

Do it yourself: Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government, took the opportunity to test the facilities in the apprentice workshops in Zaragoza with Antonio J. Cobo, General Director von General Motors España offering expert advice. 

"General Motors/Opel España is fundamental to the Aragonese economy. Opel leads the powerful automotive sector of the region and is a benchmark of the industrial sector, both in terms of GDP growth and employment growth, leading the recovery of the Aragonese economy," she added.

Once job profiles are defined, the INAEM will be in charge of the selection process and determine the final group of candidates. Opel will then provide a theory/practice training program in its plant for workshop personnel pre-selected by the INAEM.

The course will take 160 hours. After satisfactory completion, participants will receive an official certificate as “Assembly expert for electrical and mechanical elements and components”. Opel has committed to incorporating a minimum of 60 percent of the participants who successfully complete the training into its workforce with a labor contract.

The application of active employment policies and the professional and occupational training linked to labor market requirements are among the basic instruments of a strategy oriented to increasing employment opportunities for new generations trying to enter the labor market. This is the fundamental guideline in the cooperation agreement between Opel and the Aragón Employment Institute.

The Spanish plant has the largest production capacity of all Opel group factories in Europe. It is one of the biggest employers in Spain and has produced more than 11.9 million units since it was opened in 1982. About 90 percent of the annual production is exported, with main markets being the UK, Germany, Italy and France.

The Zaragoza plant plays a key role in the current Opel product offensive, which will launch 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018. Opel rose to number three on the passenger car market in Spain in 2014 with 66,700 registered vehicles and a market share of 7.8 percent.