OPEL

Adam OPEL GmbH

nut/mother company
name	general of engine
head office	Detroit, Michigan (the USA)
enterprise information
form of business organization	GmbH
company name	Adam OPEL GmbH
Gründungsdatum	1862
establishment place	Ruesselsheim
company headquarters	Ruesselsheim
coworker	30,037 (2004) [1]
conversion	23.708 billion DM (1990)
address
contact address	Adam OPEL GmbH Friedrich Lutzmann ring 65423 Ruesselsheim
Telephone	(06142) 7-7 0
E-Mail	kunden.info .center@de.opel.com
Website	http://www.opel.de/

The Adam OPEL GmbH is a German car manufacturer, that belongs to the US-American automobile company general of engine. The enterprise seat is Ruesselsheim. At further three German as well as six European locations are production works.

Table of contents 1 enterprise 1,1 mark 1.1.1 brand names of 1,2 coworkers and locations 1,3 permissions in Germany of 1,4 current problems of 2 history of 2,1 beginnings of 2.1.1 household appliances and two-wheelers 2,2 beginning of automobile production 2,3 assumption by general of engine 2,4 the postwar years to today 3 models 3,1 model names 3,2 model history 3.2.1 small cars 3.2.2 compact class 3.2.3 middle class 3.2.4 upper middle class 3.2.5 upper class 3.2.6 sports cars 3.2.7 Microvan 3.2.8 Minivan 3.2.9 high roof combination 3.2.10 Kompaktvan 3.2.11 Van 3.2.12 jeeps 3.2.13 commercial motor vehicle of 3.2.14 historical models (selection) 4 Web on the left of

enterprises

OPELs the second largest German vehicle manufacturer is andBochum has locations in Kaiserslautern beside Ruesselsheim , iron oh and. The company has still about 35,000 persons employed. However in the next years in Germany thousands for rationalization reasons will be omitted.

Since 18. June 2004 is Hans Demant of chairmen of the board and in personnel union director/conductor of the international technical one Development center (ITEZ) the Adam OPEL GmbH.

mark

OPEL is in Continental Europe and in the Near East the chief brand of general of engine. Up to small deviations in the offer of the Karosserievarianten the model pallet does not differ. In addition OPEL becomes in Russia, India, China, Taiwan, Singapore as well as in South Africa offered. Here however more favorable vehicles of usually older series are sold.

Outside of the OPEL marketing areas mentioned residents sister enterprises often take over the sales and the production of the otherwise identically constructed vehicles. In Great Britain that is the Lutoner car manufacturer Vauxhall, thatthe production of own models adjusted for the 1990er years, in Australia Holden, and in Latin America Chevrolet.

brand name

the Logo of the enterprise is a circle with lightning. On the vehicles takes place the representation always flat, either on that Hood or in the radiator grille of the vehicle. Originally a representative Zeppelin, of these existed was changed again and again and simplified in place of lightning.

coworker and locations

the Adam OPEL GmbH employ today in Germany (2005) 30,037 coworkers, at fiveLocations work.

name	production since	product	notes
GM - works in Germany
Ruesselsheim	1898 (since 1929 GM)	Vectra, Signum	head office the Adam OPEL GmbH international technical development center
Bochum	1962	Astra, Zafira, vehicle parts for general of engine
Kaiserslautern	of 1966	vehicle parts andEngines
iron oh	1990	Corsa, Astra (it is not produced any more in iron oh.)
GM - works in Europe
Antwerp, Belgium	1924	Astra
Azambuja, Portugal	1959	Combo
Saragossa, Spain	1982	Corsa, Meriva
Gliwice, Poland	1998	Agila, Astra Classic, OPEL Zafira
Luton, united Kingdom of		Vivaro
manufacturing plants of other enterprises
Renault Batilly, France	1980	Movano
Bertone Turin, Italy		Astra Cabrio

in addition has OPELs a Testzentrum in Rodgau Dudenhofen.

permissions in Germany

Year	number of permissions	per cent of the total permissions
2005	348,008	10.48%
2004	334,063	10.23%
2003	332,270	10.42%
2002	336,588	10.30%
2001	394,586	11.80%
2000	407,730	13.50%
1989	455.672	?
1988	428.610	?
1987	454,535	,
1986	421.114	?
1985	367.740	?
1984	389.182	?
1982	391.916	?
1981	378.364	?

current problems

waysTuning difficulties between the European center of GM in Zurich and the OPEL center at Ruesselsheim it came again and again to problems during model development, production and quality assurance.

The year 2004 ended with new discussions around the locations Ruesselsheim, Kaiserslautern and in particular Bochum. In Bochum, where oforiginally up to 23.000 jobs by rationalization still 9,600 jobs received remained, are according to opinion of the GM management in Detroit further 4,000 jobs to be diminished. From protest against it the workers in Bochum laid down their work. Already in some years are the models Saab 9,3 andOPEL Vectra at Ruesselsheim to be produced together. The Saab - factory in Trollhättan is to be used then to the building by cars of the mark Cadillac, the GM 2005 to Europe brought.

Since OPELs shares are not noted at the stock exchange, the transformation became in December 2004decided AG into a GmbH of the Adam OPEL. This step was introduced to the bureaucracy dismantling and for reduction of costs. To 7. December 2005 was registered the Adam OPEL GmbH in the trade register.

history

of beginnings

household appliances and two-wheelers

the company Opel 1862 were created by Adam OPEL at the hessian Ruesselsheim with Frankfurt/Main and manufactured first sewing machines , from 1886 on also bicycles. Around production furtherto increase and satisfy, OPEL built the increasing market 1868 at the route of the Main course its first factory. OPEL ascended into the 1920er years to the largest bicycle manufacturer of the world.

Briefly after automobile production was taken up, OPEL built two-wheelers also motorized.

Bicycle productionOPEL was accomplished to beginning of the 1940er years.

Into the 1950er years refrigerators were manufactured.

beginning of automobile production

1898, three years after the death of the firm founder, who wanted to never produce cars, its sons began with the automotive manufacture. Itif Friedrich Lutzmann bought the company the-sourly of the automobile pioneer and technical designer, it the director and built the OPEL patent engine cars Lutzmann made system. This had been issued before by Lutzmann on the first IAA 1897. OPEL produced from the outset different body and engine variants, among other thingsalso a delivery van. Motorizing permitted a maximum speed of up to 40 km/h. However they could not compete with the then highly developed French engine cars and automobile production for the time being were in such a way adjusted.

OPEL a co-operation contract with the French automobile farmer Darracq signed and produced 1902 Voiturette - vehiclesunder the label name OPEL Darracq. 1903 brought then also first four-cylinders to OPELs on the market. Particularly was at that time the model doctor car , a two-seat Cabriolet , which was often used by physicians for house attendance, likes.

1924 became the OPEL work inRuesselsheim equipped with assembly-lines, in order to produce for broader layers lower-priced. The success model OPEL Laubfrosch could be built in large-scale production. OPEL the largest German car manufacturer was temporary. Fritz von Opel, who had already gained as a test driver a call, experimented meanwhile at cars alsoRocket propulsion and reached 1928 on the AVUS with its model RAK 2 the record speed of 220 km/h. Later it undertook one year with the airplane RAK 1 on the Frankfurt Rebstockgelände the first manned rocket flight.

assumption by general of engine

to 17. March 1929 sold William of OPELs and his brother Fritz von Opel the majority of the shares to the American automobile company general of engine. 1931 gave it the enterprise finally from the hand to the family OPEL. Reason was the breaking world economic crisis. The selling price amounted to for at that timeConditions enormous 120 millionsRealm Mark. The OPEL brothers could intersperse with the fact that name and its own model politics OPELs remained.

so published OPELs 1935 the Olympia designated after the coming olympic plays, that as the first German vehicle over a self-supportingBody ordered.

1936 were sold bicycle production to the N eckar to CSU of lmer two-wheeler manufacturers (NSU). NSU and OPEL bicycles became to approx. 1940 as NSU and/or. NSU OPEL offered.

During the Second World War OPEL with the truck OPEL lightning placed the backbone of the armed forcesago. Besides one changed production over during the war from passenger car . Only the middle „unit passenger car “ Kfz.15 was manufactured.

the commitment of general of engine, both in the USA and with the war opponent Nazi Germany, became from the managing director at that time ofGM by the high profits justified.1936 were granted to OPELs by the German government exemption from taxes. The consequence was an expansion of capacity on the part of GM. To end of war 1.1 million vehicles were produced.

the postwar years to today

thanks to the commitment of the first work council chairman Friedrich Zängerle, tookOPEL 1947 automobile production at Ruesselsheim with the successful Vorkriegsmodellen Olympia and the larger captain . The cadet could not be produced first recently, since the cadet assembly belt at Ruesselsheim had to be transferred as reparation to the Soviet Union. Also the work Brandenburg, in thatthe OPEL lightning built was, of the Soviet crew as war remuneration was konfisziert. After the seized plans the Russian automaker Moskwitsch developed their new model 400. The Olympia 1953 the record followed .

only 1962 ran the production cadet in Bochum . The cadet A was a complete new development and had in common with the Vorkriegs model only his size. 1964 got the captain two large „brothers “, the admiral and the OPEL diplomat. These „large three “locked the model pallet upward until 1977.

1962employs the Adam OPEL AG 350,000 coworkers and gains an annual turnover of 2,2 billion DM.

1972 is busy 590,200 coworkers with OPELs and obtains an annual turnover of 6,5 billion DM.

1990 is busy in the OPEL company of 570,400 coworkers with an annual turnover of 23,708 billion DM.

ThroughCost lowerings of conditioned problems in quality led the 1990er for years to a negative image development of the mark OPEL, in particular in the comparison to the main competitor Volkswagen AG. In the course its came it in the middle of the 90's to the López affair so mentioned around the former OPEL manager José Ignacio López, thatfor many of the economy measures was responsible. Later one accused to him with his change to VOLKSWAGEN internal documents of OPELs to his new employer to have passed on.

models

model names

during of the 1950er up to the 1980er years frequently termswhen model designations were used, which originated from the range navy (captain, admiral, cadet), as well as from other official ranges (diplomat, senator), took place into the late 1980er years of the changes to name creations, which ended on „A”. The last renamed model row was those of the OPEL cadet, whoafter a model change in OPELs Astra one renamed. The only exception of this naming formed the OPEL Monterey built under license. Similarly to it the model designations of the transporter models on „O” (Combo, Vivaro, end Movano, ehem. Campo). Meanwhile again models are presented, their names not on „A”end, like for example the OPEL Signum or the OPEL Speedster, even if many are so far maintained on „A” ending model names.

model history

construction period produced vehicles	series	note	picture
[work on] small car
1982-1993	Corsa A	of first small cars by OPELs, on basis of the Cadet D.
1993-2000	Corsa B	on basis of the concept OPEL junior, which was already presented 1983.
1994-2000	Tigra	on the Corsa B based Sportcoupé.
since 2000	Corsa C	advancement of the successful predecessor
since 2000	Agila	of the Agila is not based an independent model, buton the Suzuki Wagon R+. It is called frequently also Van.
since 2004	Tigra TwinTop	on the Corsa C based Cabriolet.
[Work on] compact class
1962-1965 649,512	cadet OPEL cadet A	in the new OPEL work Bochum produces for the first time. Under the name cadet became alreadyin the 30's small car produces.
1965-1973 2.600.000	OPELs cadet B	new Karosserievarianten were the four and the Fünftürer. The de luxe model was sold under the designation Olympia.
1977	the vehicle	of a model care was submitted of 1973-1979 1.600.000 OPELs cadet C, with that the turn signals of thatBumper beside the headlights moved. First models were delivered with round headlight, following with rectangular headlight. Further models of C - row was a cadet - C town center (3 Türer), the cadet - C combination as well as the popular C-Coupe row (1.2L, 1.6L, 1.9L-GT \ E). And nottoo forget, the cadet - C aero
1979-1984	OPELs cadet D	the series of D was first, the front wheel drive had. The streamlined, sober body differs strongly from the predecessors.
1984-1993 3.779.289	OPELs cadet E	the body is again somewhat more roundish. This cadet became lateras Daewoo Nexia copied. The high roof combination cadet of the E is called Combo.
1991-1998	Astra OPEL Astra F	the name Astra the cadet for Great Britain the Bochumer of volumes comes from Vauxhall, with this designation already left in the 80's. For the first time in series with Airbagsand EXP. 1994 it was submitted of a model care.
1998-2004	OPELs Astra G	complete again arranged model.
since 2004	OPELs Astra H	of the Astra H is a complete new development. On its T-Car - also models the general engine marks Vauxhall and Holden develop platform. For the first time has inOPEL of this class in series the driving stability program ESP. With this model OPEL brought first times success model on the market that in the year the million-border will exceed 2006.
[Work on] to fill
middle class 1970-1975	692,000 Ascona	A around the gap between cadet and record,OPEL brought 1970 this completely again-developed vehicle on the market. This market segment was particularly controlled of Ford the Taunus.
1970-1974	Manta A	Fünfsitziges Sportcoupé on basis of the Ascona A.
1975-1981	Ascona B	a variant of this vehicle became in Great Britain starting from 1976 as Vauxhall Cavalier sold.
1975-1989	Manta B	the Manta reached cult status which are based on the Ascona B.
1981-1988	Ascona C	of the Ascona C was the first Ascona series, those with front wheel drive was delivered and was based on the international J-platform of general of engine.
1988-1995	Vectra A	complete new development andlarge success.
1990-1997	Calibra	on the Vectra A based Sportcoupé, which should tie to the success of the Manta. Particularly outstanding was at that time the low cw-value of 0,26.
1995-2002	Vectra B	the Vectra was now for the first time also available as combination variant (caravan).
since 2002	Vectra C	new vehicle generation with very habituation-needy shaping and much electronics. Success far behind hopes back remained, therefore already 2005 comprehensive Facelift with strongly more revised, at the Astra H ajar front.
since 2003	Signum	luxury variant of the OPEL Vectra with extended wheel base, also the omegato replace should. This model likewise already got 2005, at the same time with the Vectra a comprehensive Facelift.
[Work on] upper middle class
1953-1957	Olympia record P	first OPEL new development after that 2. World war. Assumption of the American „pontoon form”.
1957-1960	Olympia record P1	in each regard clearly more modern thanits predecessor. As two and Viertürer available, as well as for the first time also as combination (caravan) and delivery vans (without windows at the loading space). Very successfully with families and craftsmen.
1960-1963	record P2	strong revised body with „more entbarockisierter” shaping, technically to a large extent invariably.
1963-1965	OPELs record A	new modelwith very straight-line, sober form.
1965-1966	OPELs record B	intermediate type with new engines in to a large extent unchanged predecessor model.
1966-1972	OPELs record C	new body with the typical „Hüftschwung” over the rear axle. Now also a three-door Coupé version and a four-door combination available. Most successful of all OPEL middle class models, in Brazilto 1990 further built.
1967-1972	Commodore A	somewhat revalued record C with six cylinder engines.
1972-1977	OPELs record D	form again „European”, improved chassis. For the first time also with diesel engine offered.
1972-1978	Commodore B	six cylinder version record D
1977-1982	OPELs record E1	new body and front axle, otherwise the technologythe predecessor. Letzmalig also as little in demand 2-türige sedan offered.
1982-1986	OPELs record E2	strong facegeliftet with completely new front organization. Into the years the technology come was not to be kaschieren however no more. Only as 4-türige sedan, 3/5-türiger caravan as well as 3-türiger, rare box car available.
1978-1982	Commodore C	also to the record E gave it again a six cylinder version, which was stopped however to favour senator.
1986-1994	omega OPEL omega A	complete developed again vehicle generation with at that time most modern technology, common platform with the senator B. Shaping of the record E2 taken over. WithFour and six cylinder engines as Viertürer and combination (caravan) available.
1994-2003	omega OPEL omega B	inside and outside more largely and more massively. Now finally with Airbags and competitive diesel engine. However too expensively and of problems in quality troubled, therefore paragraph despite Facelift 2000 ever unsatisfactorily. With thatOPEL withdrew itself spareless attitude also from the upper middle class.
[Work on] upper class
1948-1953	OPELs captain	first OPEL model after the war, i.e. a warmed up Vorkriegsmodell of 1938. In the year 1951 there were some retouchings, z. B a new radiator grille.
1954-1958	OPELs captain	firstPostwar construction of the OPEL captain with pontoon form and shark fish muzzle radiator grille. Starting from 1955 Facelift with usual radiator grille.
1958-1959	captain P1	of first OPELs captain in the dream car style with beautiful - however unpractical - Panoramascheiben. It is called because of the salient rear lights also “keyhole captain”.
1959-1963	captain P-LV	similar to the recordP2 revised, somewhat more practical body.
1964-1969	captain/admiral/diplomat series of A	complete new development in stress material-impressive style with enormous rear overhang. „The large three “were optical and technically almost identical, had however differences in the equipment and motorizing.
1969-1977	captain/admiral/diplomat series of B	The diplomat differed from his brothers outwardly by the fact that he, similarly as the line eight of Mercedes, had standing instead of horizontal headlights. This series were however inquired despite aufwändiger technology hardly. The captain was produced only until 1970, the admiral starting from 1976 likewise as Diplomat sells.
1977-1987	senator A	the senator replaced 1977 the two remaining models that formerly „large three “, were based now however on the record, which one also regards the vehicles. It had however a substantially aufwändigere rear axle and stronger engines. 1982 got that Senator A in a model care the new front front record of the E2, various other changes, and clearly less chrome. Many more successfully than its predecessors.
1978-1986	OPELs Monza	of the Monza was a Sportcoupé and the then most efficient vehicle of OPELs, which am based on the senator. Also he got1982 the model care with the new OPEL unit front.
1987-1993	senator B	of the successors of the A-series were based on the omega developed at the same time, as one could notice at only the body deviating in details. The omega A-platform was however overtaxed with an upper class vehicle. The sales senatorit decreased/went back with the time so strongly that OPEL decided for adjustment the model and to the retreat from this class.
[Work on] sports car
1968-1973 103,463	GT	2-sitziges Coupé on the chassis cadet of B. Special characteristic: Folding headlight.
2000-2005 7,000	Speedster	pure racing winnersSports car on the basis of the Lotus Elise and also there manufactured.
starting from 2007	GT	new edition of the 2-sitzigen Coupé
[work on] Microvan
since 2000	Agila	of the OPELs Agila is identically constructed with the Suzuki Wagon R
[work on] Minivan
since 2003	Meriva	contrary tolarger Zafira is based the Meriva on the Corsa C and offers maximally five seats.
[Work on] high roof combination
since 2005	Combo	be based on basis
of the Corsa [work on ]
Kompaktvan	1999-2005 Zafira	A of the Zafira A on the Astra G, has however a changedBody with seven very variable configurable seats and a shortened hood.
since bassiert	on	the Astra H combination (caravan) is to tie 2005 Zafira B of the Zafira B and to success, into the years the gekommenden predecessor. Up to 7 seats and new diesel engines are to it help it.
[Work on] Van
1996-1999	Sintra	for its first Van model had to seize OPELs on a construction of the US nut/mother back, those there among other things under the name Chevrolet venture and Pontiac TransSport was sold. The sales impact of the Sintra stayed far behind expectations,particularly after the publication very bad Crashtests and Bremsversuche. The car was already taken after few years again by the market.
[Work on] jeep
1992-2003	Monterey	since 1999 is called the Monterey in Germany Isuzu Trooper.
1992-1998	Frontera A
1998-2003	Frontera B	1998 takes placethe introduction on the market of the OPEL Frontera B. Das Fahrzeug war, wie sein Vorgänger (Frontera A), als Zweitürer mit kurzem Radstand (Frontera Sport) und Viertürer mit langem Radstand (Frontera) erhältlich. 2003 were adjusted production in Great Britain. The picture shows the special model Frontera Olympus.
Starting from 2006	Antara Front RA successor	the new Frontera comes in the autumn 2006 with 120 to 224 HP. The Antara in Korea von Chevrolet is built.
[Work on] commercial motor vehicle
1952-1975	lightning	lightning was built in numerous variants. Also Mercedes Benz manufactured license reproductions.
1997-2001	arena	Renault Trafic with smallModifications
1998-2003	Movano series of A	after over 20 years break OPEL built only 1998 again a small transporter, which was developed however together with Renault and Nissan.
since 2001	Vivaro	small transporters, almost identically constructed with Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar.
since 2003	Movano series of B
[Work on] historical models (selection)
1912-1914	doctor cars 5/12
1914	12.3 litre of racing cars	of 4 cylinders, 260 HP, 228 km/h, weight 2000 kg
of 1924-1931	Laubfrosch	the first automobile built in Germany at the assembly-line.
1927-1928	RAK2
1935-1937	P4
1936-1940	cadet I	first as a cadet designated OPELs.
1975	GT2	this study was introduced 1975 on the IAA. The vehicle had 2 sliding doors.

Web on the left of

• www.opel.de - official Website the Adam OPEL GmbH
• media.gm.com - current OPEL press releases
• www.opel-performance-fanzeitung.de - OPEL information, new type character, Community, Downloads
• opelcommunity.de - OPEL forum for all models