Russian Opel assembly, Opel production in Russia, Opel again in Russia, Opel assembly where, where Opel is assembled in Russia, why Opel leaves Russia, when Opel stops selling cars, stop selling Opel in Russia, what will happen with warranty cars.

07.04.2019

The Austro-Canadian company Magna and the American auto giant GM made a deal to bring Opel under the control of Magna. Peer Steinbrück, German Finance Minister, announced the outcome of the negotiations that took place in Berlin and ended on the night of May 30. Magna is acting in consortium with Sberbank and GAZ Group in this transaction.

Opel (Adam Opel AG) is a German automobile company that is part of the General Motors concern. Produces cars, minibuses, minivans. The headquarters is located in Rüsselheim, Germany.

The Opel company was founded in 1862 by the German designer and industrialist Adam Opel. Initially, the company was engaged in the production of sewing machines - these products were in such demand that Opel produced sewing machines until 1911. However, in 1886, Adam Opel founded the production of carriage wheels, and a year later his enterprises mastered the production of bicycles.

The company released the first car in 1899, having spent 37 years developing it. Adam Opel himself died before automobile production was started, but his family continued the business. The sons of Adam Opel set themselves the goal of creating a car that is reliable and affordable for most of the country's population.

The history of the company can be divided into stages:

First stage: formation of the company and gaining recognition in Germany

1899-1928 Opel's first efforts automotive manufacturing were undertaken together with partners, first with the engineer Friedrich Lutzmann from Dessau and later with the French company Darracq. In 1902, Opel presented its first own project - 10 / 12hp. model with 2-cylinder engine. Seven years later, Opel introduced a compact 2-seat car that became known as the "Doktorwagen" (Doctor's car) because it was especially loved by country doctors.

1899 - the company signed a contract with the wagon builder Friedrich Lutzmann from Desau to build the first car in Rasselsheim - "Patented Opel Car, Lutzmann System".

1901 - Frenchman Alexandre Darracq was contracted to manufacture Darracq cars under license.

1902 - the presentation of the first car, developed entirely by the Opel company itself, took place: 10 / 12 hp, a model with a new 2-cylinder engine with a built-in water pump, maximum speed - 45 km / h.

1903 Opel "20/24PS" appeared.

1905 - the company began to produce cars of a higher class. The "35/40PS" model appears, with an engine capacity of 6.9 liters. Having established its mass production, the company won recognition in Germany

1906 - A branch of the factory is opened in Berlin (Berlin). The 1000th car of the company was manufactured.

1909 - A 4/8PS model with a 4-cylinder engine is introduced, known as the "Doktorwagen" (Doctor's Car), valued at 3950 marks. The company has taken the first step towards making cars accessible to more consumers.

1912 - The ten thousandth car was produced. In the same year, the first agreement was reached in negotiations between employers and trade unions on working conditions. It stipulated work time- 55.5 hours per week - and the minimum wages— 36 pfenings an hour.

1914 - Opel becomes Germany's largest automobile manufacturer, selling 3,335 cars a year. The company starts hiring women on assembly lines.

1924 - Opel invests one million gold marks in the modernization of automobile production and becomes the first manufacturer in Germany to start production using the assembly line.

1928 - With a market share of 37.5% and 42,771 units sold, Opel is Germany's largest automobile manufacturer. Opel becomes joint stock company German Aktiengesellschaft.

The second stage: the crisis and the beginning of cooperation with General Motors

1929 - 1945 The global economic crisis caused concern among the owners of the company. In search of a reliable partner, the Opel family came to an agreement with the General Motors Corporation, which bought the company in 1929. In 1935 At the Berlin Motor Show, Opel presented the first mass-produced German car with an all-steel frame integrated with the body - the Olympia 1.3 liter.

1929 - General Motors acquires 80% of Opel. Opel becomes the first German manufacturer to establish an insurance company and a bank to finance sales on credit.

1931 - General Motors acquires the remaining 20% of Opel. Since then, the company has been a subsidiary of General Motors. The company's 13,000 employees produce 500 cars and 6,000 bicycles daily.

1936 - With an annual production of 120,923 cars, Opel is considered the most major automaker Europe.

1937 - Opel ceases to manufacture bicycles and sells them to the NSU corporation to concentrate on automobile production.

1940 - Opel produces the millionth car. Passenger car production stops in October.

1944 - Plants in Russelsheim and Brandenburg are destroyed by bombs.

1945 - Production equipment for the model Kadett (Kadett) is dismantled Soviet Union.

Third stage: post-war reconstruction and production growth

1945 - 1979 After the end of the war, the company's employees began to restore the almost completely destroyed plant in Russelsheim. With only minor changes, the Blitz truck was introduced, and later, the Olympia and Kapitan. With the creation in 1962. factory in Bochum, Opel began a new era. In 1977 Opel introduced the Senator and Monza models, re-entering the core market share.

1946 - The first post-war Opel car, a 1.5-ton Blitz truck, was produced.

1950 - The reconstruction of the Russelsheim plant was completed.

1956 - The 2 millionth Opel was produced. The company doubles productivity with the grand opening of a new K-40 case manufacturing plant.

1962 - Opel celebrates its 100th anniversary and opens a second plant in Bochum.

1966 - Millionth Cadet leaves the Bocham plant. Opel opens the Dudenhofen Proving Ground in Germany and opens a new parts plant in Kaiserslautern.

1972 - Opel is the largest car manufacturer in Germany with a 20.4% market share.

Fourth stage: development and creation of environmentally friendly cars

1980 - 1989 In the 1980s, Opel introduced a number of environmental initiatives, some of which were commercialized for the first time. The Opel Omega, introduced in 1986, offers a wide range of low emission petrol and diesel engines, becoming Car of the Year 1987. Opel sets new standards in aerodynamics with the Opel Vectra in 1988.

1981 - Opel became the first car manufacturer to introduce environmentally compatible water-based paints. More than 500 million marks have been invested in the construction of a new paint shop in Russellsheim.

1982 - Opel builds a new plant in Zaragoza (Spain) to produce the Opel Corsa, the most compact car the company has ever produced.

1983 - The 20 millionth vehicle leaves the Russelsheim factory. Asbestos-free clutch discs become standard equipment.

1985 - Opel becomes the first manufacturer to offer a full range of models equipped with catalytic converters. At the same time, the company begins to cooperate with athletes and sports teams and develops a sponsorship concept to promote team sports.

1987 - Opel celebrates its 125th anniversary. New, worth 300 million DM, the paint shop in Bocham sets global environmental standards with water-soluble paints.

1989 - The 25 millionth Opel Omega Caravan rolls off the assembly line. Opel becomes the first company to install a closed catalytic converter as standard equipment on all of its petrol vehicles in Germany.

Fifth stage: internationalization of the company brand

1990 - 1999 "Opel" significantly expands the model range, improves production technology and seeks internationalization of the brand. Technical Center of the company's development in Russelsheim becomes the center of creation of General Motors' international product development strategy and a leading source of projects and technologies. Opel is investing heavily in the expansion of existing European plants and operations and in new production facilities around the world. By the end of this period, the company is ready to introduce the Opel brand to new markets around the world.

1992 - New factory company in Eisenach, Germany, sets a new benchmark for GM's future production facilities.

1993 - The Opel Technical Development Center in Russelsheim is appointed to be responsible for design and production development for off-site operations. North America.

1994 - Opel produces the 30 millionth car and becomes the main sponsor of FIFA (Football World Cup in the U.S.A.)

1995 - Opel becomes the first German manufacturer to open an assembly plant in Poland.

1997 - "Opel" and Italian company Bertone is celebrating 10 years of partnership during which approximately 105,000 Opel vehicles have been assembled at the Bertone plant near Turin, Italy.

1999 - Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and Prime Minister Hans Eichel meet with the management of Adam Opel AG to mark the centenary of Opel vehicles."

The sixth stage: the renewal of production and the global crisis

2000 -2009 In 2002, Opel started new program to develop new products and upgrade production. It is planned to invest about 10 billion Euros. Opel plans to release a new (updated) model every six months for the next five years. As a result of these innovations, two new models are being released this year - a five-seater minivan Opel Meriva and progressive Opel Signum.

2000 - Opel starts building a new plant in Russelsheim. The company announces the most revolutionary cars in its history. New generation - ECOTEC engines - high power and low level nature pollution.

2001 - Adam Opel AG and GM Europe announce the expansion of a restructuring program aimed at regaining lost ground and rebranding. Opel introduces a two-year warranty on all products.

Astra Celebrates its 10th birthday. Since the start of production successful model sold more than 7 million vehicles in over 90 countries.

2002 - Opel plans to release a new (updated) model every six months for the next five years.

2003-2007 The new Vectra is being built at the state-of-the-art plant in Russelsheim. The Corsa, the most successful small car in the world, is celebrating its 20th birthday. Since September 1982, more than 11 million vehicles have been produced.

2007 - Opel produced about 300 thousand cars of various brands at factories in Germany.

2008 - Due to the financial crisis that began in the United States, all divisions of the General Motors concern find themselves in a difficult economic situation and asks the authorities for financial support. The financial crisis develops into a global economic crisis. By 2009, it becomes clear that GM is on the verge of bankruptcy. In November, Opel was the first German car manufacturer to approach the federal and state governments for financial assistance.

2009 - GM begins restructuring its assets. The Austro-Canadian company Magna, the Italian concern Fiat, the transnational investment company Ripplewood and the Chinese automaker BAIC are bidding for Opel's shares. As a result of negotiations in May 2009, Ripplewood, BAIC and Fiat abandon their intentions.

On May 30, 2009, it becomes known that Magna and GM have entered into a deal to bring Opel under the control of Magna. Magna in this deal is acting in a consortium with Sberbank of the Russian Federation and GAZ Group. IN As a result of the transaction, the Canadian company should receive 20% of Opel, GM and Sberbank - 35% each, and Opel will retain 10%. The Russian automaker GAZ claims to be an industrial partner. In particular, GAZ is ready to provide its facilities for the production of Opel models.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

In the forests of southern Germany along the banks of the Rhine lies a hilly area called Obbel or Opel. Several centuries ago, after the European Thirty Years' War, retired soldiers took up farming there. Soon, the newly appeared peasants began to be called opels. A certain Tongez Opel decided that digging in the ground was not the most masculine thing for his son, and sent him to study. The son grew up and became a manufacturer. He produced hats for the inhabitants of the small town of Russelsheim, for which he built a special factory in it. On May 9, 1837, a son was born in his family, who was named Adam. When the time came, Adam was sent to France, where he got acquainted with the latest miracle of technology - a sewing machine.

Returning home in 1862, Adam Opel adapted sewing machine for the production of hats and founded the company Opel, which set up the production of machines for the production of hats. This company became the largest hat manufacturer in Germany. And in 1884, at an exhibition in France, Adam got acquainted with a bicycle and caught fire with a new idea - the release of bicycles. Adam's five sons helped their father in the factory from childhood, and in their free time they had fun riding bicycles around the house. It was they who popularized cycling in Germany and soon became the first champions. Thanks to the success of the brothers, the Opel bicycle brand became known throughout Europe. Opels were the first to propose the use of new air-filled tires in bicycle wheels designed by an Englishman named Dunlop in 1890.

The company produced 2,000 bicycles a year and was, in addition, the largest manufacturer of sewing machines and bicycles in Germany until the death of Adam Opel on September 8, 1895. Adam Opel died at the age of 58, leaving the established production as a legacy to his sons. As champions in bicycle racing, the Opel brothers were invited to the Berlin Motor Show in 1897, where they first saw self-propelled carriages and set about a new idea - to start producing cars. Two brothers Opel - Karl and Wilhelm - began their activities on the automobile path with the purchase of the Lutzmann factory in 1898. Here, under license, they began to assemble their first car - a self-propelled carriage designed by Lutzman. The first car was assembled in 1899. From this moment on, the history of Opel cars has been counting down. The first single-cylinder Lutzman Opel of 1899 had a manually wound engine horizontally under the seat. To do this, it was necessary to turn a huge flywheel - there were no other starting devices. The design turned out to be very “raw”, it sold poorly, and financial gaps had to be plugged at the expense of income from the sale of bicycles and sewing machines. Soon, it was decided to stop the production of Lutzman's carts. However, the first failure did not stop the Opel brothers. In 1900, Karl Wilhelm and Fritz brought from Paris a contract with the French car factory Darrak.

And in 1902, the Opel Darrak appeared on the German market, completely assembled in Germany. The business of the company went uphill, and the brothers began to develop their own models. In 1906, the contract with the French expired, but by this time Opel was firmly on its feet and did not need outside help. In those years, Opel was famous not so much for production achievements or commercial success, but for the passion with which the company participated in sporting events. The victory in the race for the Kaiser Wilhelm Prize in 1907 significantly raised the prestige of the company. When creating elegant cars in 1908, the design features of the car - the winner in the 1907 race were used. But basically, the pre-war Opel models, despite constant improvements, were middle-class cars, worked out to the conscience, but without pretensions.

During the First World War, the company produced trucks for the army. However, the engineers did not waste time. In 1920, several variants of the new Opel model were developed, but inflation prevented these plans from being realized. It was decided to take radical measures to overcome the crisis. A group of leading engineers of the company, headed by Wilhelm Opel, went overseas - to adopt the experience gained in the United States in mass production of cars. Returning home, they zealously began to implement American ideas. Between 1923 and 1924, the old factory was transformed: all machines with top drive pulleys were replaced with modern equipment with electric drive. The main novelty was the first and at that time the only assembly line in Germany.

Outdated models were discontinued, Opel now pinned all its hopes on a two-seat car, very similar to the one that Citroen launched on the market two years ago. The resemblance was so striking that the French filed a lawsuit. Opel lost the process and was forced to change at least the appearance of the car. The model was called 4/12 PS, but as soon as it went on sale, the official name was forgotten. All cars leaving the assembly line were painted in a bright and juicy green color, for which they paid the price - the nickname Laubforsch ("frog") tightly stuck to the car. By 1927, the release of "frogs" reached 39,000 pieces. 8,000 workers could produce up to 250 machines a day. The success of the German firm, which produces mass-produced passenger cars, attracted the attention of the president of the American corporation General Motors for exports, James M. Mooney.

In those years, Opel, the former leader among German automakers, had a hard time: German car brands retreated under the onslaught of imported, mostly American, cars. The situation was not saved even by the record results set by Fritz Opel on the AVUS track at racing cars RAK-I and RAK-II with jet engines. The world's first rocket car jet engine RAK-I launched on March 11, 1928. The debut turned out to be unsuccessful, and two months later, a record race of another car, the RAK-II, took place on the Berlin AVUS track. The car developed a fantastic speed for that time - 238 km / h. This car was far ahead of its time and, perhaps, the creators of Thrust II used the developments of Opel engineers in their record-breaking car. In 1925, all of Europe was talking about the purchase by General Motors of the English company Vauxall.

Already in the spring of next year, Opel decided to follow the example of the British and turned to the overseas giant for patronage. In 1928, a formal agreement was signed - Adam Opel AG became a subsidiary of General Motors. Now the production program of the enterprise was aimed at producing the maximum possible number of models from the minimum number of unified units and bodies. The bodies of all cars have become more spacious, the wings have acquired rounded outlines, and inside there was a place for a spare wheel. In 1934, the cars of the German branch, like all other creations of General Motors, switched to independent front suspension. The following year, Opel was the first German car manufacturer to produce more than one hundred thousand cars in a year. In February 1936, the Olympia was presented at the Berlin Motor Show, the first mass-produced car with a one-piece structural monocoque body.

She laid the foundation for a new direction in the design of small cars. The car was named after the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. This runabout differed from its predecessors in low weight, combined with high level passive safety and good aerodynamics. Thanks to the load-bearing body, the engineers managed to reduce the height of the car, and most importantly, its weight. Appearance has undergone major changes. For the first time in the history of the model, the headlights were included in the body, and were not mounted separately on the wings. All this determined the further appearance of the models and their unforgettable style. Market cheap cars replenished with the R-4 model, made in the style of the 20s. The engine of this car was reliable and thought out to the smallest detail, which made it possible to install it on the next model - Opel Kadett (1936). Before the war, about 107,000 Kadett cars rolled off the assembly line. In the late 1930s, Opel released two new six-cylinder models: the Opel Super (1937) and the Opel Kapitan (1939). The pre-war model of the highest class bore the proud name of Opel Admiral.

The restrictions imposed by the fascist regime had a negative impact on the profits of General Motors. In 1939, the fascist leadership of Germany demanded that the company put on stream the Blitz army truck, howitzers and aircraft parts, which gave rise to the new president of General Motors, William Knudsen, to ironically state: “Hitler became the complete and undivided owner of our German enterprise, with which I have the honor congratulate all the owners and co-owners of the concern ... ”The main field of activity of the Opel company on the eve and during the Second World War was the mass production at the new plant in Brandenburg of a range of unified bonnet trucks Blitz - Lightning. It was headed by 1.0- and 1.5-ton models "2.0-12" and "2.5-32" with 6-cylinder engines (36 and 53 horses), but the 3-ton models " 3.6-36S" (4x4) and "3.6-6700A" (4x4), made in the amount of 95 thousand copies.

These were simple and durable cars with a spar frame made of U-shaped profiles, equipped with an overhead valve 6-cylinder engine (3.6 liters, 68 horses) from the Admiral passenger model, dry disc clutch, 5-speed gearbox, not split axles on longitudinal springs, hydraulic brakes, all-metal or simplified wood-metal cab and rear dual wheels. The base truck "3.6-36S" had a wheelbase of 3600 mm, all-wheel drive "3.6-6700A" (4 × 4) - 3450 mm, long-wheelbase 3.5-ton versions "3.6-42" and "3.6-47" - 4200 and 4650 millimeters. They were supplied with various side bodies, superstructures, special equipment and weapons, had a gross weight of 5.7-6.1 tons, developed a speed of 80-85 km / h on the highway and could tow a 2-ton trailer.

On a long-wheelbase chassis, an army bus with a 30-seater body W39 of the Ludwig company was produced. Such a chassis was also used to install cargo-passenger, sanitary or staff superstructures from other manufacturers. In 1942–44, 4,000 half-tracked 2-ton tractor trucks SSM (Sd.Kfz.3) of the Maultier series were assembled on the 3.6-36S chassis. -Loyd). It had front drive sprockets, four disc road wheels mounted in pairs on a lever-spring balancing suspension, and steering with a mechanical drive side brakes to slow down one of the tracks.

By their own performance indicators cargo "Opel Multir" occupied an intermediate position between similar machines "Magirus" (Magirus) and "Ford" (Ford). In the midst of a war on the floor armored chassis"Opel SSM" with an anti-aircraft machine gun or a searchlight assembled 300 Sd.Kfz.4/1 launchers - the first German multiple rocket launchers with 10 tubular guides to launch 158.5 mm rockets with a range of 6.9 km, which the Germans tried to oppose the Soviet "Katyushas". In total, in 1938–44. Opel produced over 130 thousand military vehicles, not counting a small number of 3.6-36S trucks assembled by Daimler-Benz under the L701 index.

At the end of the war, most of the factories lay in ruins. Russelheim fell into the American, and Brandenburg - into the Soviet zone of occupation. Most of the surviving equipment and documentation was taken to the Union, and Adam Opel AG began, frankly, hard days. The Soviet Union exported from Germany everything that was possible. The Russians received permission from the allied command to export tools, equipment, stamps and drawings of the Kadett brand to establish the production of these machines in Leipzig. Everything needed was fully shipped by the end of July 1946. Since then, Opel has not seen its equipment anymore ... But many have seen the Kadett: less than half a year has passed since the new small car plant on the outskirts of Moscow began production of the Moskvich-400, like two drops of water similar to the pre-war Opel Kadett.

In 1950, these cars began to be sold to Finland and Belgium, and in the accompanying documents it was mentioned that spare parts for the Moskvich were the easiest to purchase in Germany. The plant in Brandenburg began to produce a tractor called "Pioneer". German citizens in the zone of Soviet occupation drew up the first five-year plan. Later, the production of Avia light trucks (Ifa) began at this plant. For the post-war restoration of the destroyed economy in their zones of occupation, the Americans, first of all, needed trucks. The half-restored plant in Rüsselsheim has resumed the production of 1.5-ton Opel Blitz trucks with a payload capacity of 1 to 3 tons with a six-cylinder engine from the Opel Kapitan model. Then it was the turn of cars. The easiest way would be to resume the production of Opel Kapitan - after all, the assembly of the engine “from it” had already been adjusted - but the occupation authorities did not allow the production of cars with engines larger than 1.5 liters. The most powerful of the machines that met this requirement was the Olympia, which was put into mass production in November 1947.

In 1951, the Olympia model was restyled - a new large radiator grille with horizontal ribs and a huge bumper appeared. The gearshift lever has moved to the steering column. In 1953, the one hundred thousandth car of this brand was produced, and it was replaced by a fundamentally new model, which will be discussed below. Two years later, the production of Opel Kapitan resumed. The model did not differ from the pre-war one in almost nothing, with the exception of modest round headlights instead of shapeless ones, since the production of complex-shaped light diffusers could not be resumed - the production was commanded by the American military administration, without any control from GM. The car was produced from 1947 to 1953. The position of Adam Opel AG improved only by 1950, when the main plant in Rüsselheim was completely restored, and later the building of the new enterprise was erected, as in 1931, the American influence on the company did not immediately affect. However, throughout the decade, American design features were often seen on the passenger models of the German company. In 1953, the volume of production for the first time exceeded the pre-war level. Presented in the same year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Opel Olympia Rekord P-1 model reflected the dreams of German motorists of the 50s for an ideal vehicle.

The Olympia Rekord was produced in two-door versions as a sedan, convertible (until 1956) and the Caravan station wagon. There is an opinion that the body of this car was used as the basis for the creation of the subcompact Moskvich-402. The car was produced from 1953 to 1957. In 1957, the designers changed the outer lines of the car in accordance with fashion. The success of the Rekord P-1 was enormous. The company did not stop there, and in 1958 a new Rekord rolled off the assembly line, however, with an old engine. The designers lengthened and expanded the body, while making the car more squat. Opel Kapitan still remained in the company's production program. For a long time, this model was subjected to only cosmetic improvements, which made the car a kind of "typical American car of European assembly." By the end of the 50s, changes also affected the design itself. The car received a new power unit along with a new body only in 1960. 1960 was marked by the introduction of the four-door Rekord P-2. She had a relatively calm design and dispensed with the Olympia prefix to her name. Narrow roof pillars, just a hint of the once-fashionable rear stabilizers, a radiator grille that continued around the front fenders, and round headlights - this was the Rekord P-2, the design strongly resembled American cars.

In 1960, the Opel Kapitan was restyled. The car received a new body and power unit. And already in 1961, the production of first Opel with a coupe. The power of the car was 60 horses, and the speed was 140 km / h. At the same time, some design elements of the four-door sedan were also changed. Both the coupe and the sedan were produced by the company until 1963. This is quite American style - small cars, according to GM, should not have a bright personality. The success of the Rekord P-2 could only be compared to the Beetle phenomenon. The Opel brand again took a leading position among the automakers of West Germany - the Americans were more than satisfied. By the centenary of Adam Opel AG in 1962, another plant was built in the city of Bochum to produce the next generation of Kadett. The new model could be called a joint American-West German development. The car was equipped with a Chevrolet engine. Initially, a two-door sedan was released, in 1963 a combi variant was added to this performance, and a coupe a year later. So it was customary to first release a two-door version, and then “toss” modifications to the market during the year - a combi (as a station wagon is called in Germany) and a coupe. The Rekord also received attention: in 1963, it received a new, more powerful engine and a new designation - A. The model became wider and lower than its predecessor. In July 1964, Rekord sedan and coupe modifications were equipped with more powerful engines from the Kapitan model. In the same year, Kapitan with expensive interior trim successfully debuted under the name Admiral. The car was produced from 1964 to 1968. In the 60s, the development process in the automotive industry had already taken shape.

Usually the model was kept on the assembly line for 3–5 years, after which it was replaced by a fundamentally new model or, in the worst case, restyling was carried out. Of course, as elsewhere, there were exceptions in the form of the Citroen 5CV or the Beetle. The Kadett A was followed in 1965 by the Kadett B in 2 and 4 door bodies. Not only the size of the car has increased, but also its power (from 45 to 90 horses). The car was in demand, despite the unsightly appearance. In the same year, Opel introduced four-cylinder engines own design. Recall that before the engines were American or joint design. In 1965-1967, the Diplomat V8 model was produced. And although the volume of its production did not exceed fifty copies, this machine still made a certain contribution to the history of the company. A luxurious model with a 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 engine with a capacity of 230 horses was assembled by Karman in Osnabrück. She was considered the most fast car sold in Germany. The maximum speed was 200 km / h. One can only guess what the fuel consumption was. But before the oil crisis, there were still 10 years left, and no one thought about it. In 1966, Opel released a special Rally Kadett model with a black hood, stripes on both sides, and sports instrumentation on the dashboard. The car turned out to be so popular among young people that its production continued until 1973. The car has been fine-tuned in various tuning studios. At the same time, engine power increased, more rigid suspension, sports shock absorbers, wide tires, new seats and steering wheel. The middle of the decade was marked by the appearance of a new generation of models: Kapitan A, Diplomat A and Commodore A. The weak engine with a capacity of only 67 horses, installed on the Opel Rekord C Coupe model, did not make the car popular and was soon replaced by a 100-horsepower engine. In 1967, Rekord again received a new body - even wider and lower than its predecessor. The coupe modification had a 67 horsepower engine under the hood. Opel's Rekord A paved the way for the Rekord B. The coupe model was replaced by the Rekord Coupe 6 model with a 6-cylinder engine with a capacity of 100 horsepower.

This machine was the predecessor of the Commodore, which was introduced in 1967 and was sold in parallel with the Rekord C, released a year earlier. In the same 1967, the name Olympia was returned to this elegant brother of the Kadett B sedan. These very respectable cars were contrasted by the nimble, unusual at that time two-seat model Opel GT. The legendary GT can rightly be considered one of the the brightest models world automotive industry. In a word, a mini Corvette. The car, due to its inimitable popularity, continued to be produced with different engines until 1973. At the same time, the company's engineers were guided by the American taste, the second step was a completely new Manta sports car. Introduced as a competitor to the Ford Capri, it could take four people on board and had a very roomy trunk. At the same Opel time did not forget his countrymen. In 1970, the Ascona A model was presented to the public. Based on the Kadett chassis, it was produced with different types of bodies. In 1971, Georg von Opel (grandson of the organizer and driver of the jet car in 1928, Fritz von Opel) tested the first electrically conductive GT at Hockenheim. The car, driven by two motors with a capacity of 136 horses, developed a speed of up to 188 km / h. A year later, the sound of a diesel engine was heard from under the hood of the upgraded GT. On fast lane in Dudenhof this unusual sport car broke 20 world speed records in its class. In September 1971, Opel assembled its 10 millionth car. In 1972, two models debuted at once: Rekord D and Commodore B.

In the 1970s, another successful coupe was developed, standing on the other side of the Opel product rank. We are talking about the last Kadett C. According to the decision of the management of General Motors, the successor to Kadett C was made the first "international" car: all the companies of the concern in America, Brazil, Great Britain and Germany had to be assembled simultaneously. It was decided that the body of all Kadett, regardless of company logo and the local name of the car, will be typical, and engines and other components must correspond to the local market. The car was designed and prepared for production in August 1973, they called it Kadett C Coupe. Meanwhile, the GT era began to come to an end without any hope of new success. At the international auto show in Frankfurt, a more advanced model Manta B was shown. At the dawn of its long career, from 1975 to 1982, the car was offered with five engine options. The car turned out to be very successful and took away a lot of customers from the Ford Motor Company, in particular from Capri.

In the fall of 1977, the luxurious Diplomat and the Commandore S, which did not lag behind, debuted. The appearance of the models underwent a change, and now the cars looked “square” on a par with their counterparts. Already a year later Opel factory production of the new passenger model Senator A began.
According to the company's forecasts, it was supposed to replace the largest machines produced by the company so far - Diplomat and Admiral. These virtually American cars used too much gasoline, and the world has not yet recovered from the oil crisis. The new car had a five-seater 4-door body and an engine with a capacity of 180 horses. On the basis of the Senator, a very unusual coupe appeared - Monza A. Until 1979, Opel followed the American style of the automotive industry (front engine and rear wheels). In 1979, Opel took a revolutionary step for itself - the Kadett D did not have rear wheels, but front wheels. The new model was equipped with three engine options - two of 1.2 liters and a new 1.3-liter. Thanks to roadholding and low fuel consumption, the car took first place in sales in its class.

With the onset of the 80s, Adam Opel AG almost completely changed its entire lineup. But she decided not to stop there. And already in 1981, the upgraded Ascona C came out of the gate with more advanced engines of 1.3 and 1.6 liters. The Ascona C followed the Kadett D, introduced in 1979, as Opel's second front-wheel drive car. And not by accident. Initially, the car was conceived as "international", with a classic layout, especially since in the United States preference was given to rear-wheel drive. GM implemented in Ascona the principle of " single platform", when cars with different looks and power units had the same bottom, suspension, wheels. These cars belonged to a common family called J-car. However, over time, the idea ceased to be relevant. For this machine, components and parts were supplied by different countries, which turned out to be very unprofitable. However, now cars on the same platform are not at all uncommon, but already as a rule ...

But we want to note that the car lasted on the assembly line until 1988. In 1982, the changes affected the “brothers” that had not yet “cooled down” after the debut - the Senator A2 sedan and the Monza A2 coupe. The models received a decent front end and a range of new engines. Body lines combined power and grace at the same time. The sports model Manta B and the Rekord E2 family sedan were also not forgotten - they have undergone cosmetic changes. In 1983, the Corsa A appeared in the Opel family, which was supposed (and succeeded) to reach a circle of customers who wanted a car smaller than the Kadett. In the family of convertibles, a replenishment arrived - Ascona C. The car, according to the plan of General Motors, began to be assembled not in Russelheim, but at a factory in the Spanish city of Zaragoza. The front-wheel drive car in hatchback and sedan versions soon received three new engines. But, alas, it did not bear fruit. Buyers began to gradually lose interest in Opel products.

The culprit turned out to be the monotonous and boring design, which made Kadett look like Ascona, Ascona - like Rekord, etc. To correct the situation, new solutions and ideas were needed. In the mid-1980s, Opel was one of the best-selling cars in Europe. The company has begun equipping its models with catalytic converters. In 1984, the Kadett E model, improved in technical and aerodynamic terms, was released. The popularity of this car in Europe was facilitated, first of all, by a wide selection of bodies and engines. The car was awarded the European title "Car of the Year 1984". Kadett simultaneously became last car firms bearing the "military" name. In addition, with minor changes, it began to be produced in South Korea under the name Daewoo Nexia / Racer. A year later, a convertible version, designed by Maestro Bertone himself, arrived on the shelf. In 1986, Rekord gave way to a more advanced Omega A model. The new car was produced with two types of bodies: a sedan and a station wagon. 15 different types of engines were installed on it. Another victory in the competition "Car of the Year" was won. The car lasted nine years on the assembly line. This model captivated buyers with its smooth ride, comfort and economic performance.

Its Omega Lotus modification was equipped with a British Lotus engine with a volume of 3.8 liters and a power of 300 horses. It was a real sports sedan, and lately in Germany, due to the large number of accidents associated with it, the car is being sold to people who have a sports license. And no wonder: the maximum speed is 280 km / h, and acceleration to 100 km / h takes 5 seconds. In 1987, the Ascona Touring special model replaces the popular Ascona GL. At the same time, the Senator also changed: an updated Senator B model appeared. The car was equipped with only two engines: a four-cylinder 2.0-liter and a six-cylinder 24-valve 3.0-liter. The three-liter version was equipped with an automatic transmission as standard. The maximum speed of the car was 240 km / h. But the car did not find enough buyers, and the company stopped its production in 1991. In 1988, Ascona ceased production, and instead of it, a much more worthy Vectra A model appeared at that time. This car was more “licked” and extremely powerful. It was produced with two types of bodies: a sedan and a five-door hatchback. In April 1989, an all-wheel drive modification appeared, on which the most powerful engines were installed. By the way, the range of engines was even larger than that of Omega - about 20 modifications, including a six-cylinder with a capacity of 150 horses. In limited quantities, the Vectra 4 × 4 turbo model with a capacity of 204 horses was produced.

In 1990, a masterpiece appeared - Opel Calibra. The car was based on the Vectra chassis, equipped with engines from it and had a coupe body. The drag coefficient was Cx = 0.29, a result that many cars are now far from achieving. The car was produced in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The Calibra 4 × 4 turbo model with a capacity of 204 horsepower was produced in limited quantities. The Calibra turned out to be such a successful car that it was produced for nine years in Germany and at the Valmet plant in Finland. With such models, Opel entered the last decade of the twentieth century. In 1991, the Opel family again replenished. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the company showed its new Astra F model with a variety of body options: three- and five-door hatchbacks, sedan, station wagon and convertible. The new car has replaced the old Kadett, which has fallen in love with more than one generation. But Opel lost this time - Astra was second in its class all the time - VW Golf firmly held its positions (it's not for nothing that a whole class of cars is named after him), although in some countries the leadership belonged to Astra primarily because of the body design. The car had a wide range of engines, the most powerful (150 horses) were installed on the GSi model. In the same year, for the first time in its history, the company began producing a car. off-road- Frontera models.

The first SUV was created on the basis of the Japanese Isuzu Rodeo jeep (51% of the shares belong to GM) and did not differ in particular technical excellence, although it looked very powerful. It turned out a typical "parquet" jeep with weak engines. The company constantly experienced difficulties with the build quality of this model. By the end of the year, according to an agreement between GM and Isuzu Motors, the Opel Campo model was designed on the basis of an already existing Japanese pickup truck. In the same year, another comfortable Monterey model appeared with all-wheel drive. Like the Frontera, the Monterey was co-developed with Isuzu. This model is produced in two versions: LTD with a long wheelbase and hard top and RS with a short wheelbase.
In 1993, in record time, the company developed the second generation of the smallest Corsa B model in its class. The Canvas Top modification is also produced in a small batch, which means “canvas top”. At the same time, the buyer was offered the second generation of Omega B.
In 1994, a completely new class car appeared - Tigra. A powerful and light sports car with a very unusual look
especially for the youth.

In 1994, updates and additions were made to the entire range of products manufactured by Opel. The presentation of the Astra Cabrio model took place in the summer of the same year, and already in 1995 the car went into production. The second half of the 90s was marked by the appearance in 1995 of the second generation Vectra B. The novelty was presented in three versions at once - with sedan, hatchback and station wagon bodies. As for SUVs, another option has been added to the already existing two models - Frontera Sport Soft Top with a soft folding rear roof. With the advent of 1996, for the first time in the history of the company, a minivan appeared in the Opel lineup - Sintra, which became the fruit of the joint work of the technical center of Adam Opel AG and the North American branch of General Motors. The new minivan is the first Opel to be produced in the US. It is based on the Pontiac Trans Sport platform. In 1997, Opel slightly updated the Astra and Corsa models. In the same year, in Frankfurt, the company introduced the second generation, the Astra G, to the public. The following year, the Opel Monterey underwent a major upgrade. Changed interior trim and appearance. The changes also affected the engines: the volume increased from 3.2 to 3.5 liters, and the power from 177 to 215 horses. A new Isuzu turbodiesel has also appeared - a four-cylinder 3.0-liter with direct fuel injection and a Common Rail system. Power is 159 horses.

In the same year, a compact van appeared based on the Opel Astra II - Zafira. The car competed with Renault Megane Scenic. It is equipped with engines with a capacity of 100, 115 horsepower and a turbodiesel with a capacity of 82 horsepower. The company also produces pickups, Movano and Campo, but they are not in great demand. In 1999, the Vectra and Omega underwent a facelift. Updated front and rear bumpers, mirrors, rear lights, and Omega got its hands on an eight-cylinder engine. Opel rushed into a niche market dominated by Mercedes-Benz E-class and Audi A8. This year, a decision was made to launch mass production Opel Omega 2000 and Opel Speedster. In March 1999, the Opel Astra Coupe appeared. In 1999, Opel (including Vauxhall) fell to 4th place among Western European car manufacturers, having assembled almost the same number of cars as in the previous year (1739.9 thousand units against 1742.4 thousand in 1998). However, with the introduction of a new generation of the Corsa model on the market and the consistently high demand for the Astra family, hopes for an improvement in the situation are pinned. In 2000, the Opel lineup changed. Ceased sales of imported Sintra and Monterey models. A new family of Corsa models and the first representative of Opel in the European size class A appeared - the compact minivan Agila. In the same year, two new 6-cylinder engines appeared and the power of a number of previous units was increased. Zafira models received a more powerful 2.0-liter diesel engine with 100 horses and a 2.2-liter engine with 147 horses. Today Adam Opel AG is the largest subsidiary of General Motors outside the United States.

At the company's factories located in Russelsheim, Bochum, Kaiserslautern. In Berlin and in the Belgian city of Antwerp, more than 55 thousand people work. The Opel brand combines cars designed for every taste, demand and wealth: Corsa, Tigra, Agila, Astra, Vectra, Calibra, Meriva, Omega, Zafira. Do not forget the Frontera SUVs, as well as the Sintra minivan, and the Movano commercial vehicle. The international jury of the Car of the Year 2005 competition at the end of 2004 selected seven finalists, including the Opel Astra. This new model of the European best-seller has received a "five-star" rating from the consumer protection organization Euro NCAP - the rating of the safest sedan in the compact car class. The demand for this car in Western Europe exceeds the wildest expectations - even before the start of sales, the company's portfolio included over 100 thousand orders. Since its founding in 1862 Opel sought to make the achievements of science and technology widely available to all sectors of society. This philosophy remains unchanged to this day. It was consistently embodied by Opel at all stages of the company's development, starting with the production of sewing machines, and then bicycles. Today, this philosophy underlies the creation of all Opel vehicles.

©. Photos taken from publicly available sources.

The well-known company Opel has received recognition from motorists around the world. First of all, it is recognized for its quality, which invariably pleases customers. Opel's history began as a sewing machine company that has grown to become one of the best automotive brands in the world.

The history of Opel began with sewing machines

early years

From childhood, Adam Opel was interested in mechanisms. When he had the opportunity to do what he loved, he created a sewing machine, which was received positively by everyone. To let her in mass production, in 1862 he created the Opel company. Since his large family used bicycles extensively at the time, he took advantage of this by organizing their production. In 1890, his firm became the best in Germany. The history of the name is closely connected with its founders.

When in 1899 the management of the company passed to the brothers Friedrich and Wilhelm Opel, they, under the impression of one of the presentations, released their first car. He was one of the first of his kind, so he had a lot of flaws. Because of this, sales were at a fairly low level, but the history of the Opel brand continued to develop.

History of the logo

During its existence, the company logo has changed several times. Before the war, it looked like lightning, but later acquired an oval with a ruler, which was an anagram of its own name. A little later, the icon was given the image of an airship, and even later - a ringed lightning. In 2009, the management firmly decided to change the image, due to which the logo took on the form of a three-dimensional lightning bolt with the name of the company.

Treaty of great importance

When Opel became interested in the Darracq enterprise, they signed a contract between themselves, which resulted in the release of a new car, the Opel Darracq, in 1903. He showed good sales giving impetus to the development of the company. So, 1906 was the beginning of a complete Opel. At this time, the company was not yet well-known, and its work did not have the best appearance, but they were solidly assembled.

When the First World War came, Opel started producing trucks to support the army. Of course, the engineers at that time had many new ideas, but the crisis prevented them from being implemented.

Problem solving

When the company had already got the opportunity to do its own business, in 1923 it carried out a complete modernization of its facilities. This mainly concerned the machine tools and the conveyor, which had no analogues in all of Germany. The result of this period was a new car, exactly repeating the famous Citroen. Its name was "4/12 l. s., and it was painted in shades of green. For this, the car was nicknamed "The Frog", and the total circulation of the car until 1927 was 39,000 units.

Opel history developed rapidly and the company soon came under the control of General Motors, which made it its representative office in Germany. Thanks to this, it was possible to increase the pace of work and the creation of new machines. So, in 1935, the brand produced 100,000 units. Unfortunately, at that time there were severe restrictions on the creation of progressive technology, so the development of the company was suspended.

In 1936, the new Olympia machine was demonstrated. She was the first among her own kind, and had a load-bearing body. This was the beginning for a whole direction of such lines. A feature of this model was an excellent assembly, which was distinguished by reliability and safety, and the car itself had good aerodynamics. The features of the vehicle include its load-bearing body, which made it possible to make the car lower, and it also became lighter.

In 1937, the production of Opel created an oversized truck that had 75 hp. With. and a 6 cylinder engine. In subsequent years, this transport has undergone many modifications, but its appearance and corporate logo became a symbol of the company of that time.

Mode influence

When the development of the country depended on the decisions of the fascist leadership, the activities of General Motors fell sharply. The concern regularly received instructions to create military equipment despite the company's strategy. Until 1945, the company produced weapons, which led to huge losses, but in the eyes of the country the company became a representative of patriotism.

Due to the military conflict in 1944, all the production facilities of the plant were destroyed by the Soviet troops. Everything was in ruins, and the leaders of the company from Brandenburg and Rüsselheim dispersed to different countries. It was a difficult time for the brand, as even the remains of equipment from the ruins were taken to the Union, until nothing remained of Opel in 1946.

New breath

Previously known in the company car Kadett was created in the Soviet style in Moscow. Due to the received drawings, it remained almost the same, but was called "Moskvich-400". Very soon this brand was sold in Belgium and Finland, and original spare parts shipped from Germany. It was also the time of the creation of the Pioneer tractor and the Ifa (Avia) trucks.

Then there was the need for trucks. To cover it, production in Rüsselsheim was partially restored. Then the world saw the Opel Blitz models again, which could work with a weight of 3 tons. Later, production began to improve passenger transport Opel Kapitan, but its engine could not have a volume of more than 1.5 liters, due to occupation restrictions. The most powerful by that standards was the Olympia model, the mass production of which was established in 1947.

This car has got a new look. An expressive grille and an oversized bumper were mounted in it. The gearbox has also been moved closer to the steering column. This stamp was a great success, and in 1953 its 100,000th copy was created. After that, a restyled Opel Kapitan was added to it, which received neat round headlights.

Performance improvement

It got much better when production in Rüsselsheim was restored in 1950. It bore little resemblance to an American design, but this allowed the company to quickly scale up its work.

One of the best cars of that time was the Opel Olympia Rekord P-1, which was demonstrated at the Frankfurt Motor Show. He was the embodiment of all the desires of the people of the 50s. The car had a successful solution in the form of two doors - both the convertible version and the "Caravan" (sedan and simple passenger car). Some experts believe that the body of this car was the basis of the famous Moskvich-402. The production of the model was carried out from 1953 to 1957 inclusive.

Fashion trends

Since Opel already had enough free solutions to work with, they began to make design changes. So, the front lines were restyled. Soon the Rekord P-1 was a huge success, but that didn't stop the brand. Already in 1958, the world saw an updated Rekord. Of course, the old motor was present in it, but the designers improved the body by lengthening it, which made the car somewhat lower.

The technical side of the Opel Kapitan was only affected in the late 50s, when a power unit was added to it. Already in 1960, the Rekord P-2 came off the assembly line, which had four doors. Its design was quite simple, and the roof pillars became narrower. This one was also similar to the American design, including a grille and round headlights.

A year later, full-scale production of the Opel coupe model began. Its power was at the level of 60 liters. s., and she moved at a speed of 140 km / h. At this time, minor changes were made to the design of the sedan, the release of which lasted until 1963.

Successful decisions

Soon the Rekord P-2 car received an undoubted leadership, which was comparable to the legendary "Beetle". When Opel turned 100 years old in 1962, it was decided to expand its capacity. For this reason, a factory was built in the city of Bochum to produce the Kadett line. It had improved characteristics, as engineers from Germany and America worked on it. The result was the installation of the engine from Chevrolet. A little later, coupe and combi options were added to the line of a two-door sedan.

Improvements also affected the Rekord - in 1963, a more powerful A-class engine was added to it. July 1964 was remembered for the change in the Rekord model, which received more powerful motor by Kapitan. The same model was also improved, after which it entered car dealerships with the name Admiral - production continued until 1968. Thus, the company had already fully decided on its style and policy in the 60s. New models did not stay on the market for more than 5 years, being replaced by a new car.

Modifications were present for almost every car, so in 1965 the Kadett B model received options with both two and four doors. Engineers increased the power of the car to 90 horsepower (previously it was 45). Although the model had a fairly ordinary appearance, this did not affect its sales.

free ideas

Since the company previously existed under American control, in 1965 it received its own power management, creating four-cylinder engines. This was followed by the release of the Diplomat V8 car, which was Opel's own take on mechanical engineering. Its circulation did not exceed 50 pieces, but buyers positively perceived the car, as it was the fastest in the history of the brand, allowing you to drive up to 200 km / h.

In 1966, a special model Rallye Kadett was released, with a black hood and sports instrumentation. Young people immediately opted for it, so production continued until 1973. During this time, the car was improved and accelerated more than once, which only increased its popularity.

By the middle of the decade, the brand expanded to a new line: Commodore A, Kapitan A and Diplomat A. A weak engine was installed in the cars, which worsened sales, but it was soon replaced with a more powerful one. Rekord also got a new bodywork, which was even lower than all the options before.

Improvements and a new look

Very soon, the Rekord Coupe 6 car, which has a 6-cylinder engine, went on sale. Its power was 100 liters. With. This model range was supplemented by the Opel GT car, which had an unusually bright design. It was demonstrated in 1965 in the city of Frankfurt.

The Opel GT model became a breakthrough for fashionable Europe in 1965. The coupe was taken from the basis of Kadett. It was planned to organize mass production of such a model, but later the release was made limited, that is, exclusive. Among the features of the flagship, it should be noted the extended headlights with characteristic visors, an elongated front end, a rear end that improves aerodynamic properties, stabilizers with curved shapes and a sophisticated look of the whole car. The release of the model lasted until 1973.

March 1969 was remembered for the history of the concern by the creation of the "Big Three". Diplomat, Kapitan and Admiral received the "B" index and a modified body. It only made them look better. Nationalization began in the 1970s production capacity General Motors company.

Movement across the ocean

Since Opel already had a fairly high level of sales and popularity in Europe and Germany, it was decided to organize deliveries to new countries. For this, in 1970, a GT / J sports car was chosen, which had previously received the new kind. The next car was the Manta A, Opel's new take on the sporty class. She was the main competition for the Ford Capri, having a large capacity.

The original production also received an innovation, the Ascona A car in 1970. The Kadett configuration was used as the basis for the chassis - the model was not a huge success. The year 1971 was remembered for the company by testing the new GT on an electric type drive. New technology allowed to get 136 horsepower and gave a speed of 188 km / h.

Soon the trend of using diesel engines was gaining momentum, which found its application for the brand in 1972. His flagship sports class was able to win 20 records for his segment. In 1971, the concern produced its ten millionth car. A year later, a successful presentation took place for the Commodore B and the Rekord D model. Outwardly, they were impossible to distinguish.

More news

Similar original ideas continued into the 1970s, when the company created an unusual coupe. General Motors soon made an equally urgent decision - the release of the Kadett C model, in the assembly of which all firms from the countries of the concern should take part. It was necessary for the new car to meet all the requirements of a modern and high-quality flagship. The name of such a vehicle was Kadett C Coupe, and the car went on sale in 1973.

Soon, the flagship Manta B was presented in Frankfurt. Due to the popularity of the novelty, she received changes to her engine as many as five times until 1982. The best option the GTE assembly is considered to have a capacity of 105 hp. With. One of the original modifications for the Manta SS can be attributed to the 1978 version, which has a large rear end. Thanks to the successful execution, success came very quickly, leaving behind Ford competitors. Among the elite flagships of this year are Diplomat and Commandore S.

The way forward

Constant development created the Senator A. This passenger car was to replace all the big flagships of the time - Admiral and Diplomat. A similar decision appeared due to their high fuel consumption, when the oil crisis had already begun. This brand had 4 doors and an excellent 180 hp engine. With.

The concern actively adhered to new trends until 1979. Then the company decided to go the other way, using the front drive wheels. Such cars became a little shorter, but thanks to the modified drive, it was possible to expand the interior. The changes also affected the engine displacement, making the car a bestseller.

80s

At this time, the model range of the Opel concern has already been completely changed. These trends continued, and in 1981 an improved Ascona C model with a 1.6-liter engine went on sale. This car was already the second all-wheel drive flagship, as it was originally planned for international sales. For this, a system was introduced whereby all cars for such sales had the same platform in order to become universal for each country.

In 1982, improvements continued and affected the outdated Monza A2 and Senator A2 models. The motor was replaced in them and the front part of the body was improved. Also, the Manta B and Rekord E2 sports class lineup was soon improved. In 1983, the company created Corsa A, which immediately attracted the attention of admirers compact machines. It was supplemented by the flagship Ascona C Cabrio, whose assembly was in Zaragoza (Spain). The hatchback car had four-wheel drive and was produced in variations with three different engines.

Way out of difficulties

After the creation of the last brands, sales slowed down. This is due to the monotonous design, because of which all car models were similar to each other. So, in 1984, the company creates an improved Kadett E.

Already in the mid-80s, the Opel concern was considered one of the best in Europe in terms of sales. Based on this, the company begins to use catalytic converters for its cars. This becomes the basis for the release of the improved Kadett E, for which she receives the Car of the Year award. Due to its success, deliveries to South Korea were even organized, and later Bertone himself personally took care of one of the models.

Late 80s

In 1986, Opel created an improved Omega A. This car was sold in wagon and sedan body styles. Thanks to a huge selection of motors for him, the concern again became the sales leader of the year. For 9 years he held the championship due to his high performance. A little later, a modification of the Omega Lotus came out, which is capable of developing a power of 300 hp. With. in just 5 seconds. Due to the high accident rate on the roads associated with this car, it began to be sold only to holders of a sports license.

The year 1987 was remembered for the company by the Ascona Touring car and the introduction of two engines in the Senator B. This made it possible to achieve a speed of 240 km / h and was complemented by an automatic transmission. But the transport never found its buyer, so in 1991 it was withdrawn from sale.

The closure of production also affected the Ascona brand in 1988, when it was replaced by the more advanced Vectra A. This car had a more powerful assembly and was produced in two body types. In 1989, the car got an all-wheel drive system and a large selection of engines. Among these options, the model with 204 stood out horsepower. Other well-known models have also received modifications.

Company in the 90s

The year 1990 was remembered for the release of one of the best cars of all time - the Opel Calibra. The company took as a basis the chassis and engine from the Vectra. Its aerodynamic features in C x =0.29 even today seem sky-high to many. Several drive options were introduced to the market, as well as a limited 204 hp model. With. Its release continued for another 9 years.

A year later, a complete design overhaul was carried out for the Omega A. Among the innovations for 1992 was the introduction of a turbodiesel in the Frontera. A little later, the company released the Monterey model, in the creation of which Isuzu took part. A year later, Corsa B models appeared, which were based on the classic 1983 product.

Opel produced a completely new Tigra in 1994. The car had a fairly small weight and strong power. She was highly appreciated by the younger generation. The new model Astra Cabrio saw the world in 1995, simultaneously receiving increased engine power. In the same year, the market met a fundamentally new Opel Vectra B. The company also worked together with a division of General Motors from North America.

Moving into a new generation

In 1997, the company decided on its future design, which was implemented in Astra G. Smooth and clear lines were traced for several more years with new models and modifications of old ones. A minivan appeared a little later Opel Zafira. He made a splash with his high handling.

At this time, Opel entered the high-quality car market, which was dominated by Audi and Mercedes. To find its place, Opel Omega 2000 was launched into production, which was adequately appreciated by users.

In the 2000s, the company radically changed its lineup. One of the best representatives is Agila with an updated body, which is often used in Japan. In the coming years, the concern organized production for two 6-cylinder engines, which received increased power.

Today, Opel is the best branch of General Motors. Its factories are located in different cities and produce cars of various formats. The company's products have been awarded by EuroNCAP as the manufacturer of the highest quality machines. From the time of its first steps, the concern was able to gain popularity among all representatives of society and applied modern technical innovations, which continues today.

Many motorists prefer to buy foreign cars. If you consider yourself a fan of quality proven over the years and technological innovations, Opel will best meet all your wishes. The brand attracts with its versatility, because anyone can find the appropriate model for themselves.

Opel (Adam Opel AG) is a German automobile company that is part of the General Motors concern. Produces cars, minibuses, minivans. The headquarters is located in Rüsselheim, Germany.

The history of the company can be divided into stages:

First stage: formation of the company and gaining recognition in Germany

1899-1928 Opel's first efforts in automotive manufacturing were made with partners, first with engineer Friedrich Lutzmann of Dessau and later with the French company Darracq. In 1902, Opel presented its first own project - 10 / 12hp. model with 2-cylinder engine. Seven years later, Opel introduced a compact 2-seat car that became known as the "Doktorwagen" (Doctor's car) because it was especially loved by country doctors.

1899 - the company signed a contract with the wagon builder Friedrich Lutzmann from Desau to build the first car in Rasselsheim - "Patented Opel Car, Lutzmann System".

1901 - Frenchman Alexandre Darracq was contracted to manufacture Darracq cars under license.

1903 Opel "20/24PS" appeared.

1906 - A branch of the factory is opened in Berlin (Berlin). The 1000th car of the company was manufactured.

1912 - The ten thousandth car was produced. In the same year, the first agreement was reached in negotiations between employers and trade unions on working conditions. It stipulated working hours - 55.5 hours a week - and a minimum wage of 36 pfenings per hour.

1914 - Opel becomes Germany's largest automobile manufacturer, selling 3,335 cars a year. The company starts hiring women on assembly lines.

1924 - Opel invests one million gold marks in the modernization of automobile production and becomes the first German manufacturer to start production using the assembly line method.

1928 - With a market share of 37.5% and 42,771 units sold, Opel is Germany's largest automobile manufacturer. Opel becomes a joint-stock company German Aktiengesellschaft.

The second stage: the crisis and the beginning of cooperation with General Motors

1929 - General Motors acquires 80% of Opel. Opel becomes the first German manufacturer to establish an insurance company and a bank to finance sales on credit.

1931 - General Motors acquires the remaining 20% of Opel. Since then, the company has been a subsidiary of General Motors. The company's 13,000 employees produce 500 cars and 6,000 bicycles daily.

1936 - With an annual production of 120,923 cars, Opel is considered the largest automaker in Europe.

1937 - Opel ceases to manufacture bicycles and sells them to the NSU corporation to concentrate on automobile production.

1940 - Opel produces the millionth car. Passenger car production stops in October.

1944 - Plants in Russelsheim and Brandenburg are destroyed by bombs.

1945 - Production equipment for the Kadett model is dismantled by the Soviet Union.