60 Years of Opel in Kaiserslautern: Powerful Display of Expertise, Performance and Adaptability!

• Lively celebration for the region: Open day attracts several thousand visitors
• Grand reception: Opel CEO Huettl, Managing Director Human Resources Wangemann and Plant Manager Stern welcome Minister for Economic Affairs Ebling, IG Metall Chair Benner, Lord Mayor Kimmel and other VIPs
• Exciting programme: A look behind the scenes, Astra test drives, classic car exhibition, current models and the visionary Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept car
• Ongoing success story: Site today as an important parts supplier in the group

Thousands of visitors flocked to the factory site in Kaiserslautern on Saturday in glorious sunshine. The ‘60 Years of Opel in Kaiserslautern’ anniversary celebrations offered guests a varied programme: With the chance to test drive the new Opel Astra, a classic car exhibition and displays such as the stunning high-performance Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept car, employees, their families and friends, as well as all Opel fans, were able to get to know the plant from a completely different perspective – and take a look behind the scenes.

Prominent guests from the worlds of politics, business, sport and society also took advantage of this opportunity. Opel CEO and Managing Director Stellantis Germany, Florian Huettl, welcomed Michael Ebling, Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Energy and Climate; Christiane Benner, Chair of IG Metall; Beate Kimmel, Lord Mayor of Kaiserslautern; and other guests of honour to the anniversary celebrations.

“60 years of production in Kaiserslautern – at a time when an entire industry is undergoing transformation – is far more than just a milestone anniversary. It is a powerful display of industrial expertise, performance, and our ability to compete and adapt – even, and especially, under challenging conditions. Today, Kaiserslautern is a key hub in our global production network, which continues to develop steadily thanks to the passionate commitment of all our employees. I would like to thank everyone for this dedication,” said Florian Huettl, together with Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources and Labour Director of Opel Automobile GmbH and Head of Human Resources at Stellantis in Germany, and Plant Manager Bilyana Stern, addressing the employees and guests.

Minister for Economic Affairs Michael Ebling offered his congratulations: “The 60th anniversary of the Opel components plant in Kaiserslautern symbolises industrial strength, innovative power and the dedication of many employees. The site is more than just a factory; it is a defining feature of the city of Kaiserslautern and a key economic driver for the region, supplying plants worldwide. The fact that so many people are joining in the anniversary celebrations demonstrates the close bond between the company, its employees and the local community. I offer my warmest congratulations on this 60th anniversary and I am convinced that the plant will continue to write the next chapters of its success story with the same reliability, flexibility and innovative spirit.”

“60 years of Opel in Kaiserslautern is, above all, about the people who have shaped and sustained this site over the decades. The fact that the plant has consistently held its ground and successfully evolved is a testament to their dedication and high level of expertise. With a skilled workforce, modern production conditions, a central location in Europe, and close ties to science and research, the Kaiserslautern site is ideally positioned for a successful future," said Beate Kimmel, Mayor of Kaiserslautern.

From classic car rally to football: Celebrations show Opel’s roots in the region

Early risers could enjoy the day’s first highlight even before the official start of the anniversary celebrations. At around 8.30 CEST, the 4th ADAC Trifels Oldtimerwanderung of the Sportfahrer Union Kaiserslautern set off from the factory grounds. 

 At 10 CEST, the plant then opened its gates to visitors – who were treated to a host of experiences over the following hours. During a guided tour, interested visitors learnt about the processes in the press shop and in component production. 

After all, around 400 different components are manufactured in Kaiserslautern. More than 350,000 parts produced here leave the plant every day in all directions of Europe, where they are then fitted into more than 30 different Opel and Stellantis models – the top-of-the-line Opel Grandland SUV alone contains over 100 parts that are manufactured in Kaiserslautern.

Naturally, the spotlight was also on the models bearing the iconic Opel Blitz emblem – first and foremost the new Opel Astra and the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer. The latest variants of the compact class bestsellers ‘made in Germany’ were available for test drives, and numerous guests took full advantage of this occasion. Before or afterwards, they were able to take a look at the brand’s rich heritage at the classic car exhibition, which showcased rare models from the Opel Classic collection. The company’s highly dynamic vision of the future was also on display – in the form of the 588 kW (800 hp) all-electric high-performance Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept car.

Just how closely Opel is linked to the region was also demonstrated by the special guests from the world of sport who attended the anniversary celebrations, much to the delight of many fans: Gero Scira, Chairman of the Board of 1. FC Kaiserslautern e.V., and FCK legend Florian Dick represented the football club and were happy to sign autographs. As an official ‘Herz der Pfalz’ (Heart of the Palatinate) partner, Opel is joining forces with 1. FC Kaiserslautern to mark this anniversary year with activities centred on youth sport, women’s football and e-sports, thereby sending a clear signal about the strength and sustainable development of the region.

The band ‘Roof Rabbits’ provided excellent musical entertainment throughout the afternoon. Meanwhile, even the youngest visitors were able to let off steam on the factory premises: whether it was the bouncy castle, the Bobby Car and obstacle courses, the mini-kart track, car painting, goal-shooting or various games of skill – there was plenty to keep everyone entertained. 

And for the ‘grown-up’ youngsters, Opel’s vocational training team provided exciting information about Opel as an employer. As a result, the open day marking ‘60 Years of Opel in Kaiserslautern’ became a celebration for the whole family – and an event that demonstrated just how closely the manufacturer is linked to its Kaiserslautern site.

Future Starts Today: Opel Welcomes New Apprentices

• Career start for 149 new apprentices at four Opel sites in Germany
• Opel recognised twice as ‘Training Champion 2025’ in the automotive industry
• Future opportunities based on tradition: 160 years of vocational training at Opel

Today marks a very special moment for 149 young people who are starting their professional careers at Opel. And the manufacturer welcomed its new apprentices at a festive welcome event at Opel's headquarters in Rüsselsheim.

In total, 100 young employees are starting their training in Rüsselsheim, 30 in Kaiserslautern, 12 in Eisenach and 7 in Bochum. They can expect modern and practical training in various technical, commercial and IT professions, as well as in dual study programmes.

Opel’s outstanding offer in vocational training is undisputed and the company was recently named ‘Training Champion 2025’ by the renowned F.A.Z. Institute and the analysis and consulting company ServiceValue – both in classic training and in the field of dual studies. Opel took the top spot among car manufacturers in both categories.

The extraordinary commitment to vocational training has a long tradition at Opel. As a leading training company in Germany, Opel has been opening up attractive future prospects for young people for 160 years – an anniversary that was recently honoured at the plant festival in Rüsselsheim. More than 27,000 young people have successfully completed their training at the company's German sites since the times of company founder Adam Opel.

“The fact that so many young talents have once again decided to start their vocational training at Opel this year fills us with great joy and pride,” said Opel Managing Director Human Resources and Labour Director Ralph Wangemann. “Sound training is the key to professional success – and we offer both modern learning conditions and a wide range of prospects for starting a career. The fact that Opel has twice been named ‘Training Champion 2025’ in the automotive industry is a recognition of the great commitment of our entire team and a strong signal to all those who want to shape their future with us.”

Opel focuses on future-oriented job profiles in its vocational training: In Rüsselsheim, eight apprenticeships and four dual study programmes are currently offered. Two new courses will be added in 2025/2026: Automotive Mechatronics Technician for Body Technology and a cooperative Bachelor of Engineering course in mechatronics with industrial mechanical training. Courses such as Applied Computer Science also reflect the company's technological focus.

And the next chapter is already beginning: The application process for the 2026/27 training year has already started. All important information about training and study opportunities at Opel – in Rüsselsheim as well as at the Kaiserslautern, Eisenach and Bochum sites – can be found here or directly from the contact persons at ausbildung@opel.com

Start of professional life for 170 apprentices at Opel

• High-quality and contemporary training in ten apprenticeships and six degree courses
• Training offer aligned with Opel’s electric strategy
• Close integration of theory and practice during training

Welcome to Opel: A total of 170 young people starting their vocational training today at Opel's German locations, 120 of them at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim alone. 28 newcomers began their vocational training at the Kaiserslautern plant, 15 at the Eisenach location and seven at the Bochum logistics center.

Opel offers its new employees attractive future prospects and career opportunities in the company in ten apprenticeships and six courses of study. The training offered is geared to the specific future needs of the respective location. Practice and theory are always closely intertwined. During their training, the young people work on specific projects for various departments of the company. This means that they are directly involved in day-to-day business and learn about important procedures and processes at an early stage.

"Our young skilled workers start a solid training course at Opel under the most modern conditions, supervised by a committed and experienced training team. We have continuously and consistently aligned our training program with Opel's electric strategy and the changes in the automotive industry. That is why topics such as electrification and automation as well as networking and artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly important role," explains Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director of Human Resources and Director of Labor at Opel, who welcomed the trainees at the Rüsselsheim site.

The dual degree programs with a focus on computer science, IT and electromobility also address the important future topics that accompany the transformation in the automotive industry. This year, the degree programs "Applied Computer Science" and "Computer Science - Technical Computer Science" have also been added.

Training at the German brand Opel has traditionally stood for high quality. 162 years ago, the first trainee began his apprenticeship with company founder Adam Opel. Since then, around 27,000 young people have completed their training at one of the company's German locations.

And Opel is already writing the next chapter of this success story, as the application process for the 2025 training year has already started. Here  you can find all the important information about vocational training at Opel.

Girls’ Day at Opel: Exciting Insights into Technical Occupations

• Focus on software development and vocational training
• Hands-on workshops on data measurement and vehicle software
• Need for well-trained female professionals

Girls' Day wants to create enthusiasm for MINT professions (mathematics, information technology, natural sciences, technology). Car-related jobs are currently more exciting than ever in the context of electrification and digitization. Opel has supported the nationwide Girls' Day since very beginning and today opened its doors again to girls between the ages of 10 and 17. At the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim, participants were welcomed by Managing Director Human Resources Ralph Wangemann.

“Initiative sends an important signal to society. In MINT occupations in particular, we need young females in order to be able to successfully implement and live equal rights and diversity. Diversity, in turn, promotes creativity and ideas. It is a cornerstone of our corporate success,” said Ralph Wangemann.

This year, Opel is focusing on topics of software development as well as dual study options and diverse apprenticeships at Opel. Participants can test their technical skills directly on site and, among other things, experience interaction of electrical engineering and mechanics during data measurement performed on a vehicle. Another workshop provides insights into future of vehicle software with a simulation and live demonstration using air conditioning system as an example.

Automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation and the demands on skilled workers are changing rapidly. Opel is consistently pushing ahead with its electrification offensive and is working intensively on vehicle communication and mobility services. More and more modern software is being used and is playing a key role on way to climate-neutral mobility - with new and exciting challenges for the next generation of skilled workers.

Eisenach plant will resume operations at the beginning of January

Eisenach plant will resume production of the Opel Grandland in the first week of January

 

New Opel Grandland in Eisenach plant

Global shortage of semiconductors remains a significant challenge for the entire industry. Thanks to flexible planning and extensive measures by the Stellantis Group, however, it has been possible to improve the supply situation and have now confirmed the resumption of operations in Eisenach for the beginning of January.

“This is excellent news for the Opel brand. Because with the new Grandland we have a state-of-the-art, electrified SUV flagship that is very popular with our customers,” said Opel boss Uwe Hochgeschurtz.

It is planned that the entire volume of the compact SUV will be produced in Eisenach in the future - a corresponding agreement was reached with IG Metall this week. In addition, the company and the union agreed to bundle the business activities at the Eisenach plant in a separate company. This should be a subsidiary of Opel Automobile GmbH.

“Advantages associated with such a production organization are intended to help ensure the efficiency of the Eisenach plant in the long term. This is achieved, among other things, by simplifying product allocation and implementing more efficient solutions required on site,” emphasized Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources at Opel Automobile GmbH and HR Head at Stellantis in Germany.

Working conditions for all employees will remain unchanged, the existing collective agreements and works agreements will continue to apply.

Electric City: Rüsselsheim opens the first charging farm with 152 charging points

Lord Mayor Udo Bausch (left) and Ralph Wangemann, Labor Director of Opel Automobile GmbH, put the first Rüsselsheim charging farm with 152 charging points into operation 

City of Rüsselsheim am Main is making a big leap forward in expanding its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. On Wednesday (September 8th), Mayor Udo Bausch and Opel HR Director Ralph Wangemann put the first of three public charging farms with 152 charging points into operation. The charging farm was set up on a now public parking lot in front of the Opel factory gate. In the future, citizens and factory employees should be able to use the area on Mainzer Straße to charge their electric vehicles.

“Today is an important day for Rüsselsheim. As a city, we are keeping a first part of the promise we made to the citizens of Rüsselsheim: That Rüsselsheim will become electric, ”explained Mayor Udo Bausch. For this, he thanked the federal government as the sponsor, all partners and service providers of the project, in particular the Rüsselsheim municipal utilities, who took care of the network expansion, and Opel, who made space available. "Formerly private, company-owned employee parking spaces have now become public parking spaces that are also accessible to the general public."

"Together with the project partners, the city of Rüsselsheim has created this infrastructure in our hometown and thus not only ensures that Rüsselsheim remains a" car city ", but that Rüsselsheim will be a" car city "of the future," said Opel - Managing Director and Labor Director Ralph Wangemann. "I would like to express my thanks to everyone who made this project possible."

Charge electricity with up to 22 kilowatts

Rüsselsheim charging farm is charged at normal charging points with alternating current (AC) and a charging capacity of up to 22 kilowatts. The charging time is between two and four hours, depending on the charging capacity of the charging station, the capacity of the battery and the charging technology of the electric car. Type 2 charging sockets are located at all charging points created as part of the Electric City project. This socket meets the requirements of AC charging in Europe and is installed in every modern electric vehicle.

Electricity with and without a contract

Anyone who would like to charge at one of the public Rüsselsheim Electric City charging stations has a wide range of tariff and contract options. Since the charging stations will in future be operated by the Rüsselsheim municipal utility, the municipal utility's green electricity is available for spontaneous charging without a contractual obligation (ad hoc charging). Anyone who is tied to the electricity of the municipal utility for at least three months can save money with the “ÖkoStrom Mobil” tariff compared to spontaneous charging and can also refuel at any charging station outside of Rüsselsheim that is part of the roaming network of ladenetz.de. Roaming partner can also charge any electricity from any third-party electricity provider at an Electric City charging station that is part of the Ladenetz.de cooperation network.

Two more loading farms are about to go into operation

By the end of October, the city will have opened a total of three charging farms with 540 publicly accessible charging points in parking lots in the city area. Up to 250 additional public charging points, spread across the entire city area, will follow successively in the coming weeks and months. With the Electric City project, a total of around 1,200 charging points will be created in Rüsselsheim by spring 2022: around 800 public and almost 400 private ones. Based on 67,000 inhabitants, this means a charging station density of one public charging point for every 84 citizens. “Projects like 'Electric City Rüsselsheim' are lighthouses that create an important basis for the mobility of the future. With the development of a future-proof charging infrastructure, we support our climate protection goals sustainably and clearly. And at the same time we support the Rüsselsheim-based economy in developing and establishing e-mobility, ”emphasized Mayor Bausch.

Activation via RFID card, app and QR code

So that the electricity can then be assigned to the right customer and correctly billed, the city of Rüsselsheim has up to four different ways of authenticating yourself for a charging process. City of Rüsselsheim relies on all current standards, but also on standards that are still in development.

First of all, there is the charging card, which activates the charging point for charging by simply stopping at the RFID field of the charging station. Greatest advantage of RFID cards is that they are easy to use. Municipal utilities will also use it to equip their electricity customers.

Smartphone apps of the various charging tariff and roaming providers offer a lot of additional information, such as the current occupancy of charging stations or the tariff. In Rüsselsheim, this can be done using the popular app from ladenetz.de. An existing internet connection is required for this.

Ad hoc charging, which does not require a contract, is also dependent on the Internet. For this, the customer data and a means of payment must be stored on the website of the electricity provider before loading. Website can be accessed via a QR code attached to the charging station, which is scanned with the smartphone camera.

A fourth, but still future, variant will be the “Plug & Charge”. Billing chips are integrated directly into the charging electronics of the electric vehicles, so that it will be possible to pay without cards, apps or QR codes. This form of authentication is currently still in development and, when it is ready for the market, will be installed as an update on the Electric City charging stations.

Agreement to Safeguard the Future of the Kaiserslautern Site

• Competiveness of Kaiserslautern plant increased in the long term
• Investments in new technology
• Permanent contracts for young professionals
• Partial retirement and senior leave for years up to and including 1961

 Opel Kaiserslautern plant

Opel management along with the plant management and the works council of the Kaiserslautern plant have set the course for increasing the long-term competitiveness of the site. Parties agreed among other things to invest in the construction of a facility for the hot-forming of steel. As a result, Kaiserslautern will become only plant to use this technology in the Groupe PSA production network. Moreover, the social partners agreed to keep a constant eye on new investments to secure site utilization. Common goal of the social partners is to maintain a healthy age structure in the plant.

According to the agreement, young skilled workers will be given permanent contracts. This so applies to the current trainees who successfully complete their training in the coming years up to 2023. In addition, the social partners agreed to hire 34 apprentices per year in the same period of time.

In order to lower the wage costs, additional employees may temporarily leave the company based on the existing social plan. Opportunity to participate in a partial retirement programme was extended to employees born in and before 1961.

"With the agreement, we sustainably secure the future of this traditional location. Our plant in Kaiserslautern will thus continue to be strengthened as an important pillar of Groupe PSA's global production network," said HR Director Ralph Wangemann.

"Together with the management, we have reached a good agreement that will stabilise the Kaiserslautern plant and forms a good basis for further development," said Lothar Sorger, Chairman of the Kaiserslautern works council.