Next Generation Opel Astra to be Designed, Engineered and Made in Rüsselsheim

• Exciting newcomer: Next-generation compact class bestseller Astra to be produced at Opel home plant in Rüsselsheim
• At least four new models by 2030
• grEEn-campus Rüsselsheim: New global Opel headquarters and Stellantis Germany home under construction
• More than €1 billion to be invested overall in Germany until 2030

The next generation Opel Astra, based on the new Stellantis STLA ONE platform, will be produced at Opel’s home plant in Rüsselsheim. As communicated by Opel CEO Florian Huettl during the Stellantis Investor Day, the German manufacturer plans to introduce at least four new models by 2030. The newcomers include the next generations of the best-selling Opel Astra and Opel Corsa along with the recently announced new C-SUV in partnership with Leapmotor. Meanwhile, Opel will continue to invest in existing models in its portfolio.

“The investment into the production of the next Astra generation in Rüsselsheim underlines the focus of Stellantis on Germany and the importance of Opel,” said Stellantis Enlarged Europe COO Emanuele Cappellano. “The C-segment, which accounts for approximately 30% of total car sales in Europe, is a substantial part of Stellantis’ European strategy to strengthen the Company’s market coverage in our region, as outlined in our FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan.”

“The allocation of the next-generation Astra to our plant in Rüsselsheim demonstrates Opel’s commitment to Germany as an industrial location. I am delighted that Rüsselsheim will remain the home of the Astra and be built in the direct vicinity of our new grEEn-campus,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl. “This investment is a clear sign that together with our social partners we can reach agreements that benefit all stakeholders.”

“Opel and Vauxhall are important assets within Stellantis and fulfill a significant role especially within Europe,” Xavier Chéreau, Chairman of the Opel Board, said during his visit in Rüsselsheim today. “Made in Germany is a well-recognised quality label for customers worldwide and a defining strategic asset for Opel in the Stellantis group. This performance is supported by strong industrial foundations and high-quality social dialogue,” Chéreau added.

The German manufacturer is thus adding to current projects in Germany with total investments in the country to reach more than €1 billion by 2030. Opel and Stellantis Germany are already constructing a new state-of-the-art headquarter building, the grEEn-campus Rüsselsheim. The new global Opel headquarters and Stellantis Germany home will offer state-of-the-art workplaces that are designed for flexible working and collaboration. Sustainable building materials are being used to ensure a good interior atmosphere. The power supply is provided by a photovoltaic system, which is integrated into a green roof. This not only contributes to biodiversity but also ensures a pleasant microclimate and helps the cooling of the building, which is ensured in parallel via a geothermal system close to the ground.

C-segment models have been a staple of Opel’s portfolio for 90 years. The success story that started with the Kadett in 1936 has been seamlessly continued with the current generation Astra. With high-tech solutions such as the Intelli-Lux HD headlights and highly efficient powertrains including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and diesel the Astra – designed, engineered and made in Germany – caters for a broad range of customer needs. In total, around 25 million units of the Kadett and Astra have been sold to date.

Like the future Opel Astra, the next generation Opel Corsa will be based on the new STLA ONE Stellantis platform and take another step toward making electric mobility accessible and even more relevant. The current generation Corsa has been Germany’s best-selling small car for more than five years and continues to lead the way in 2026. In total, more than 15 million units of the iconic Corsa have been sold.

While the Opel Astra and the Corsa represent two established products in the Opel line-up, the all-new C-SUV, announced to be produced in Zaragoza as part of the extension of the partnership with Leapmotor, will complete the coverage of the C-segment alongside the Opel Frontera and the Opel Grandland. The new vehicle will serve as a blueprint for efficient global collaboration: designed and created by Opel in Rüsselsheim and developed by international teams located in Germany and China. Simultaneously, it will enable the German manufacturer to take a major strategic step forward in terms of electrification and scaling in the shortest possible time with sales of the newcomer expected to start as early as 2028.

[1] A vehicle's values not only depend on the vehicle's efficient use of fuel, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.

Stellantis Reaffirms Commitment to Opel and Germany

• Visit of Rüsselsheim plant and Design Centre
• Preview of future grEEn-campus

Stellantis Chairman John Elkann und Xavier Chéreau, Stellantis Chief Human Resources & Heritage and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH, visited the premises in Rüsselsheim and reaffirmed their support and commitment for the long-term future of the site. Together with Florian Huettl, Opel CEO and Stellantis Germany Managing Director, they visited yesterday the production plant, where the best-selling Opel Astra in all drive variants and the DS4 from its sister brand DS Automobiles are manufactured. They also received an insight into Opel’s future model portfolio in the Design Centre. Furthermore, they took time to talk to employees and social partners.

“Opel and Germany are very important to Stellantis. At a time of deep industrial transformation, I was happy to take the opportunity of this visit in Rüsselsheim to reaffirm our commitment to Stellantis’ German operations and to our high-quality dialog with our key partners and stakeholders, in particular IG Metall. This cooperative approach will bring sustainable opportunities to all in Germany, a first example of which is the construction of the grEEn-campus in Rüsselsheim,” said Stellantis Chairman John Elkann.

“The speed with which our German plants have transformed into efficient, state-of-the-art production sites is impressive. Of course, we must not let up on continuously increasing our competitiveness and quality in production and customer service. I would like to thank IG Metall and our works council for the constructive and trustful collaboration,” added Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Xavier Chéreau.

“Rüsselsheim not only stands for 125 years of automotive production, but also for innovation and progress. We look forward to the future with confidence, we will continue to play a pioneering role in the transformation of the automotive industry and surprise our customers with our exciting models. Opel is the first German manufacturer to offer a battery-electric variant of every model, without exception. 

With our employees and all partners, we are implementing our strategy with full conviction and concentration,” said Florian Huettl, Opel CEO and Stellantis Germany Managing Director. “With our extensive Stellantis brand portfolio, we have a strong market position; we are number two on the German market in total and number one in the German light commercial vehicle business. 

We will further develop the entire organisation together and focus on collaborative partnerships – inside and outside the company. We are one team for Stellantis in Germany. We have a strong dealer network as well as successful brands and models like the Opel Astra, Peugeot E-3008, Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat 500e.”

Just a few weeks before a crucial year for the entire automotive industry in connection with the stricter CO2 fleet limits, Stellantis rejoined the European Automotive Association ACEA. “We intend to engage constructively with all stakeholders, from our union and commercial partners to political leaders, to identify a common path towards a strong future for our industry. Our strategy and commitment to electrification remain unchanged,” emphasised John Elkann. The Stellantis Chairman shared his views with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in recent conversations.

During the visit to the Adam Opel Haus, Elkann and Chéreau also received an update on the progress of the grEEn-campus project, the future Stellantis Germany headquarters and the new global Opel headquarters on Mainzer Straße in Rüsselsheim. The new modern, efficient and urban company headquarters will make a decisive contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of the Rüsselsheim location.

Numerous Guests of Honour at Open Door Day: Opel Celebrates 125 Years of Automotive Production in Rüsselsheim

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares in attendance
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “Generations of employees have made Opel the great brand it is today: an automobile company on path to electromobility. This is exemplary.”
• Preview of  future grEEn-campus, sustainable construction project for location
• Open Door Day with numerous attractions including public premieres of new Opel Grandland and new Opel Frontera

Opel celebrated 125 years of automotive production at its headquarters in Rüsselsheim today. Motto of festivities was “Forever forward since 1899”. Guests of honour at ceremony in Adam Opel Haus included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister of Federal State of Hesse Boris Rhein as well as Stellantis Chairman John Elkann, CEO Carlos Tavares and Xavier Chéreau, Stellantis Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer and Opel Supervisory Board Chairman. Together with Opel CEO Florian Huettl, they visited, among other things, the production plant where best-selling Opel Astra in all drive variants and DS4 from its sister brand DS Automobiles are manufactured.

“Today is a great day for Opel and for our hometown of Rüsselsheim. I was very pleased about visit by German Chancellor, Prime Minister of Hesse and all other guests. During the day, we could share sound business model of Opel and our bold electrification strategy. We will be first German brand to offer a battery-electric version of each model in our portfolio this year still. With 125 years of experience in automobile manufacturing, we and our employees are proudly pursuing path of electrification with conviction. We are also continuing to invest in wellbeing of our employees with new carbon neutral grEEn-campus that will be built here in Rüsselsheim,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

“125 years of automobile manufacturing in Rüsselsheim – this is a significant and impressive story. Ever since cars have played a role in our society, work has been done here day after day to make them even better. Generations of employees have made Opel the great brand it is today: an automobile company on the path to electromobility. You are once again facing future – fearlessly and full of confidence. This is exemplary,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Boris Rhein, Prime Minister of Hesse said: “Success of automotive industry is of strategic importance for Germany and Hesse. We therefore support the industry in transforming its production. For us, autonomous driving, hybrid technology, lightweight construction as well as drive and battery technology are key technologies that need to be promoted. Openness to technology rather than scepticism of progress is what brings us forward. I warmly congratulate Opel on 125 years of automotive production, innovation and driving pleasure.”

Ceremony from Adam Opel Haus with all speakers will be available as a recording from afternoon.

Preview of future grEEn-campus project

During the tour, Stellantis Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer and Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Xavier Chéreau also presented plans for grEEn-campus project, future Stellantis Germany headquarters and new global Opel headquarters on Mainzer Straße in Rüsselsheim. New modern, efficient and urban company headquarters will make a decisive contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of Rüsselsheim location. Building's entire electricity needs will be covered by energy from a photovoltaic system on the roof. Approximately 7,000 panels will enable supply without the use of fossil fuels and climate-neutral operation of the entire office complex. Thanks to systems for using rainwater, water consumption will be reduced, efficient heat pump technology ensures sustainable air conditioning within building and greening of building components will improve biodiversity. All consumption is to be recorded using modern software so that new complex can continually be improved.

A contemporary and motivating working environment will be created for employees from administration, design, research & development and sales. New complex will be characterised by bright office areas with lots of daylight and high-quality materials. A landscape park with numerous green areas will offer space for breaks and exchange. An extensive charging infrastructure around grEEn-campus will enable electric vehicles to be charged during working hours – in line with company's electrification strategy.

Public premieres for new Opel Grandland and new Opel Frontera

All-new Opel Frontera and Opel Grandland were presented to the public for the first time today. With two newcomers, Opel will offer at least one battery-electric version of each model in its portfolio this year still. From 2025, every new Opel introduced in Europe will purely be battery electric. In addition, Opel once again confirms its brand promise of making electric mobility and innovative technologies accessible to a broad range of buyers. In Germany, Opel Frontera Hybrid 1 will be available from around €24,000 and Opel Frontera Electric 1 from around €29,000 (RPE including VAT).

Open Door Day with exciting programme

Opel offered several thousand visitors a varied supporting programme around the Adam Opel Haus at Open Door Day. German brand presented an anniversary exhibition with automotive milestones from last 125 years. To mark its 60th anniversary, Opel Design Center also opened its doors and presented groundbreaking concept cars from past and present. Interested visitors were also given the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of production in plant. Rally fans had exclusive chance to ride along in Opel Corsa Rally Electric while young and old could test Opel Rocks Electric, which can be driven by anybody over age of 15 with respective licence 2. Kids Corner offered best entertainment for youngest guests, where, among other things, there was a pedal car course that invited them to take part in exciting laps.

[1] Model not yet available.

[2] AM-class driving licence in Germany. Applies to four-wheeled light motor vehicles with a rated continuous/utilised power not exceeding 6 kW, with no more than two seats and a maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h.

Stellantis Invests €130 Million in Eisenach Assembly Plant in Germany for Electric Opel Grandland Successor

• New Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) production on the STLA Medium platform set to launch in second half of 2024

• Plant allocation supports Opel’s bold commitment to fully electric lineup by 2028
• Current Eisenach production includes Opel Grandland plug-in electric hybrid

• Electrification of Stellantis products supports goals of Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan

 Florian Huettl Opel & Vauxhall Chief Executive Officer

Stellantis announced today it will invest over €130 million in the Eisenach Assembly Plant in Germany, producer of the Opel Grandland compact SUV, to add production of BEV successor vehicle that will be built on all-new STLA Medium platform. Production of new BEV is scheduled to begin in second half of 2024.

Adding a BEV to Eisenach’s output supports Opel’s bold commitment to a fully electric product lineup by 2028 in Europe. Opel Grandland currently produced at Eisenach includes also plug-in hybrid variants.

“Eisenach, our most compact plant in Germany, has demonstrated a strong drive in quality improvements,” said Arnaud Deboeuf, Stellantis Chief Manufacturing Officer.  “With this allocation of Stellantis’ new fully BEV platform, STLA Medium, Eisenach plant’s highly skilled workforce will continue to improve the cost and the quality of the vehicles they produce to delight our customers.”

“We have been building top-quality vehicles here in Thuringia for 31 years and improved our competitiveness continuously. We will stay on this clear path with the electric successor to Opel Grandland,” said Florian Huettl, Opel CEO. “This decision is another important step for Opel on the way to the declared goal of being a purely electric brand in Europe by 2028.”

“At Stellantis, ‘We Win Together’ is a core value and this announcement for Eisenach demonstrates that value in action,” said Xavier Chereau, Chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board and Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer at Stellantis. “A focus on improving quality and costs from Eisenach management and employees, combined with the input and social dialogue with the German union representatives, help define the future.”

“Thuringia is an automotive location with a great tradition that is currently making the transition to electromobility at top speed,” Thuringia Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow said. “Against this background, I am particularly pleased that Opel is playing a decisive role here and will be producing a future-proof model range in Eisenach.”

Opened in September 1992 with production of Opel Astra, Eisenach Assembly Plant is in the state of Thuringia, central Germany. 

In 2022 plant celebrated its 30th anniversary with an Open Day event that commemorated production of 3.7 million vehicles.

Eisenach investment is a key step in meeting the commitments of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, which is led by deep emission cuts to slash CO2 in half by 2030, benchmarking 2021 metrics, and achieve carbon net zero by 2038 with single digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions. Core targets for Dare Forward 2030 also include 100% of passenger car sales in Europe and 50% of passenger car and light-duty truck sales in the United States to be BEVs by the end of the decade; the ambition of doubling Net Revenues by 2030 (versus 2021) and sustaining double-digit Adjusted Operating Income margins throughout the decade; and the aim to become number one in customer satisfaction for products and services in every market by 2030.

Stellantis is investing more than €30 billion through 2025 in electrification and software to deliver BEVs that meet customer demands.

Current models from Eisenach: Opel Grandland and Opel Grandland GSe

Opel Grandland from Eisenach has made a name for itself in the compact SUV segment. Sporty and elegant, intuitive to operable and equipped with innovative technologies, it inspires customers. With the fully digital Pure Panel, it offers a new kind of cockpit experience. In addition, Opel Grandland is equipped with further top technologies and assistance systems that customers have previously only been familiar with from higher vehicle classes. First and foremost is the adaptive IntelliLux LED Pixel light with a total of 168 LED elements. There is also Night Vision: system that detects pedestrians and animals in the dark at a distance of up to 100 meters and actively warns the driver. 

Opel SUV proudly wears new face of brand - Opel Vizor. Customers have a choice of highly efficient combustion engine and plug-in hybrid variants. Top model is the sporty Opel Grandland GSe with electric all-wheel drive.

Opel Grandland GSe with electric all-wheel drive

Florian Huettl formally named New CEO of Opel / Vauxhall

Florian Huettl (45) has been named the new CEO of Opel/Vauxhall

Florian Huettl (45) has been named the new CEO of Opel/Vauxhall by the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH. This was formally decided during the meeting of the Supervisory Board yesterday evening. Previous Head of Sales and Marketing of Opel/Vauxhall will assume leadership of the two brands on June 1, 2022. Huettl succeeds Uwe Hochgeschurtz, who has been appointed Enlarged Europe Chief Operating Officer of Opel’s parent company Stellantis and will take over Maxime Picat's responsibilities. Uwe Hochgeschurtz assumed his position as Opel/Vauxhall CEO on September 1, 2021. During this time, he gave further impetus to Opel/Vauxhall's electrification and digitization offensive.

Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Florian Huettl

“Florian Huettl is a proven leader in sales and marketing. He will continue the path successfully taken by Opel/Vauxhall. Both traditional brands have a very special position within Stellantis; Opel is the only German and Vauxhall the only British brand in the group. Florian Huettl will continue to work closely with Uwe Hochgeschurtz in the future. I wish Florian and Uwe all the best in their new roles and would like to thank Uwe for his valuable contribution in recent months,” said Xavier Chereau, Chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board and Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer at Stellantis.

Florian Huettl has been Head of Sales and Marketing at Opel/Vauxhall since March 1, 2022. His successor in this position will be named at a later date. Huettl has held various senior positions at Stellantis and the Renault Group. Over the past 20 years he has gained international experience in the UK, France, Switzerland, and Russia. Huettl holds a bachelor's degree in International Business Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach.

Uwe Hochgeschurtz started his career in the automotive industry in 1990 at Ford, before joining VW in 2001 and Renault in 2004. He studied business administration in Germany (Wuppertal & Cologne), the UK (Birmingham) and France (Paris Dauphine).

Start of production for the new Opel Grandland in Eisenach

• Start of production with Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz
• Opel is consistently continuing its electrification strategy with the new Grandland
• New Opel Grandland with digital Pure Panel cockpit and innovative assistance systems

Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) and Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (right) with the new Opel Grandland Hybrid4

Starting shot for the new Opel Grandland in Eisenach: Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz and Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow were on site in Eisenach today when the German manufacturer's first SUV flagship rolled off the assembly line. At the start of series production, an Opel Grandland Hybrid4 in Ultimate equipment with electric all-wheel drive and a system output of 221 kW / 300 PS was produced in the Thuringian plant (fuel consumption according to WLTP 1 : 1.3-1.2 l / 100 km, CO 2 - Emissions 31-29 g / km; combined, efficiency class A +).

"Packed with innovative technologies, with the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit and a highly efficient drive portfolio including two plug-in hybrids, the new Grandland will give us further momentum," says Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz at the Eisenach plant. "I'm already looking forward to seeing our SUV flagship at dealerships in February and then in customer hands."

Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz (left) and Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (right) with the new Opel Grandland Hybrid4

"We are pleased that the new Opel Grandland can now roll off the production line here in Eisenach," emphasizes Xavier Chéreau, Opel supervisory board chairman and Stellantis HR manager. "The social dialogue has once again led to constructive solutions that benefit the competitiveness of the location - which is all the more important in view of the far-reaching change in the automotive industry."

“Team did a fantastic job despite many pandemic-related restrictions. With the new Grandland we are opening another chapter in the successful history of the plant. We are pleased to now deliver Opel's SUV flagship in the usual Eisenach top quality, ”says plant manager Jörg Escher.

Opel is continuing its electrification strategy with the new Grandland and is offering two plug-in hybrids: System output of the Grandland Hybrid is 165 kW / 224 PS; in addition, it delivers a maximum torque of 360 Newton meters (fuel consumption according to WLTP: 1.4-1.3 l / 100 km, CO 2 emissions 32-30 g / km; combined, efficiency class A +). Power is sent to the front axle via a convenient eight-speed automatic. As a 4x4 variant with an additional electric motor on the rear axle, Opel Grandland Hybrid4 even offers a system output of 221 kW / 300 PS and a powerful 520 Newton meters of maximum torque.

Opel Grandland Hybrid4

At an attractive entry-level price of 28,790 euros (RRP including VAT), the new Grandland in the Business Edition has numerous state-of-the-art assistance systems. Standard repertoire includes the front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistant, traffic sign and drowsiness detection as well as the cruise control with intelligent speed limiter.

Opel Grandland Hybrid4: Interior with Pure Panel - fully digital cockpit

With the new Pure Panel, drivers and passengers can also enjoy a fully digital cockpit world. Smartphones can be easily connected to the infotainment systems via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Another real highlight is the optionally available adaptive IntelliLux LED Pixel light with a total of 168 LED elements, which, like the Night Vision system, is celebrating its premiere in the Grandland. In addition, the new Grandland shines with the new brand face, the Opel Vizor.

[1] Fuel consumption and CO 2 emission values ​​mentioned were determined using the WLTP test procedure and converted into NEDC values ​​in order to ensure comparability with other vehicles (Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007, Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1153 and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1151).