11. Paul Pietsch Classic: Legendary Opel coupés and electrified Opel Astra Sports Tourer attract attention

•   125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel: Manufacturer in the anniversary year with Opel Admiral, Kadett GT/E, Monza and Calibra on a big Black Forest tour
• “Forever forward since 1899”: Current Opel Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid leads the field

This year's Paul Pietsch Classic , which came to a close on Saturday afternoon on the market square in Offenburg, Baden, was varied in every respect. Beforehand, the participants had covered many kilometers in their shiny vintage cars in changeable weather through picturesque villages, along scenic valleys, and over the heights of the Black Forest. Always in the thick of it: Opel Classic with real icons of the past decades. To mark the anniversary of "125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel," the brand drove up with classics from the 1960s to 1990s, including the Admiral V8, Kadett GT/E, Monza, and the "aerodynamics world champion" Calibra. True to the anniversary motto "Forever forward since 1899," a current model was also present - in a prominent position. The highly efficient, electrified Opel Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid was used as the lead vehicle on both days of the rally.

"Paul Pietsch Classic is an unforgettable experience every year. Even the odd rain shower cannot harm the beauty of this region and the classic cars that are on the road here," says Opel Classic manager Leif Rohwedder, who conquered the stages together with Motor Klassik editor Peter Michaely in a bright yellow Opel Calibra 4x4 2.0i 16V, built in 1990, looking back on the past two days.

From Offenburg through Black Forest: Sporty Opel classics inspire

111 teams started on Friday to complete the scenic circuit through the Black Forest. From Offenburg, the route first led towards Kaiserstuhl, then turned through the Elztal and went via Schramberg and Schiltach back to Offenburg. On day 2, the regularity rally also lived up to the motto of its namesake Paul Pietsch - "For the love of motorsport" - and his connection to his homeland. Here, the participants passed landmarks such as Appenweiher, Sasbach, Gaggenau and the Bühler Höhe - exactly the right terrain for the streamlined, 110 kW (150 hp) Calibra sports coupe.

But the crews of the other Opel Classic vehicles also showed what their style icons can do. For example, auto motor und sport editor-in-chief Birgit Priemer and former editor-in-chief Bernd Ostmann mixed up the field in a 1977 Opel Kadett GT/E specially designed for sporting use. In addition to the sporting ambitions, the enjoyment factor was not neglected. "It is always impressive how much positive attention the Opel brand attracts from visitors to the Paul Pietsch Classic. Many people still have fond memories of Opel Kadett GT/E. It sparks a lot of passion, even at the side of the track," says Birgit Priemer, looking back on the experience.

Current compact class bestseller from Rüsselsheim also impressed with its dynamism and efficiency: the organizers of Paul Pietsch Classic were able to make themselves comfortable in an Opel Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid with 133 kW (180 hp) system output and a powerful 250 Newton meters of torque. Electrified station wagon led the field - responsibly and resource-efficiently with a purely electric and thus locally emission-free range of up to 65 kilometers according to WLTP 2 (EAER City according to WLTP 2 : 65-66 km).

[1] Values ​​of a vehicle depend not only on efficient use of fuel by vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behavior and other non-technical factors.

[2] Stated range was determined using the WLTP test procedures (Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007 and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/1151). Actual range may vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular personal driving style, route conditions, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning, and thermal preconditioning.

Strong Performance in May: Opel Increases New Registrations in Germany by 33%

• Combined passenger car and light commercial vehicle market share of 6.0%
• Registrations of light commercial vehicles up by 65%
• 29.3% increase in passenger car registrations
• Opel Astra registrations in May at their highest for year

Opel achieved strong results in its German home market in May: According to internal data, the combined market share for passenger cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) rose to around 6.0% (2023: 4.3%). Around 15,500 new registrations ensured growth of 33 per cent compared to same month of 2023.

In terms of LCV registrations, Opel recorded an increase of 65% with a segment market share of 9.0% (2023: 5.5%). 13,455 new passenger car registrations represented strong growth of 29.3%. Market share in passenger car segment was 5.7% (2023: 4.2%).

Opel Astra had a particularly successful month. With more than 5,300 new registrations, bestseller from Rüsselsheim achieved an annual high, making it most sought-after Opel model. Compared to last year, new registrations more than tripled. Opel Corsa also performed better than in the same month of 2023 with more than 3,300 new registrations.

“Opel delivered another strong result in May. Compared to previous year, we have grown significantly in terms of volume and market share. This proves that Opel has an excellent, innovative product range in all relevant segments. Above all, our Opel Astra, which impressively remains on road to success with an annual high in registrations,” said Head of Opel Germany Patrick Dinger.

“125 years of Automobile Production”: Opel Invites Employees and Public to Anniversary Celebration with Numerous Highlights

• Saturday, June 8, 2024: Open day at Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim
• Experience live: New Opel Frontera and Grandland celebrate their public premieres
• “Forever forward since 1899”: Varied program with plant tours, pop-up exhibition, design icons and many other highlights from 10:30 a.m.
• On-track excitement: Opel Corsa Rally Electric and Rocks Electric test drives
• Livestream of ceremony at 11:00 a.m. with Federal Chancellor and other guests of honour here

Opel has been producing automobiles for 125 years. 125 years in which brand has made millions of people mobile and inspired them with many innovations. Opel is celebrating anniversary this Saturday, June 8, with an open day at Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim. In keeping with anniversary motto “Forever forward since 1899”, customers, employees and public, as well as guests of honour from politics and Stellantis, can discover automotive milestones in Opel's history. On factory tour, for example, visitors can take a look behind the scenes or experience Opel feeling up close on a motorsport or Opel Rocks Electric test drive. “125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel” is not only anniversary being celebrated on this occasion: in 1964 – exactly 60 years ago – “Opel Design Studio” began work as first design center of a manufacturer in Europe. Visitors on Saturday can therefore also admire icons of automobile design from six decades. Those not able to attend in person can see highlights on Facebook.

Opel CEO Florian Huettl: “125 years of automobile production at Opel – we not only want to celebrate this anniversary with our visitors, but also show how Opel has always helped shape constant change in automotive industry and is now positioned for future. This Saturday, new Opel Frontera 1 and new Opel Grandland 1 will have their public premieres here at headquarters. With these cars, we will offer our customers one fully electric variant of every Opel model from this year onwards. All this reflects our anniversary motto 'Forever forward since 1899'.”

Lots to see: Public premieres and unusual pop-up exhibits

Opel will open its doors to public at 10:30 a.m. during official ceremony with invited guests in Adam Opel House. Visitors will then be able to take a first look at design exhibition in building N10. Journey through decades of design extends from 1965 Opel Experimental GT and groundbreaking Opel studies from 1980s, to innovative concepts from more recent past such as Opel GT X Experimental, sensational Opel Manta GSe and visionary Opel Experimental.

Pop-up exhibition in building N50, bathed in a variety of colours, also opens at 11:30 a.m. Here, visitors can view exhibits from first Opel – Opel-Patent-Motorwagen System Lutzmann – to bestsellers and legends such as Opel Kapitän, GT, Manta and Calibra, and even electric models such as Opel Ampera. On plant tours beginning at 1:30 p.m., which start behind Adam Opel House throughout afternoon, Opel will proudly present current Astra production at Rüsselsheim site. In addition, general public can experience all-new Opel Frontera 1 and Opel Grandland 1, which will soon be available to order, up close for first time.

Lots to experience: Electrifying motorsport and vintage Opel cars

From midday onwards, Opel Corsa Rally Electric from world's first electric one-make rally cup will be doing laps in car park behind Adam Opel House. A limited number of motorsport fans can sign up for a ride in the co-driver’s seat. Nearby, on another test track special set up by Opel, visitors aged 15 and over can experience for themselves what individual mobility feels like behind wheel of an Opel Rocks Electric 2.

Youngest visitors will find plenty of entertainment in the “Kids Corner”, which is located in the immediate vicinity of large catering area, also behind Adam Opel House. There are numerous other activities for young and old throughout outdoor area.

As an additional attraction, an area reserved exclusively for Opel vintage cars opposite Adam Opel House on Rugbyring will enrich anniversary celebrations. Visitors and guests who arrive in a vintage Opel vehicle with an H license plate can park their car in "An der Feuerwache" parking lot, turning the area into a spontaneous open-air pop-up exhibition of historic Opel cars.

Registration for various activities takes place on site; advance reservations are not possible. Detailed program including additional information can be found here:

[1] Vehicle not available yet

[2] 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.