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DOUBLE CELEBRATIONS AT OPEL: 125 YEARS OF AUTOMOBILE PRODUCTION AND 60 YEARS OF OPEL DESIGN STUDIO
The year 2024 is an extraordinary anniversary year for Opel; the German brand has been producing automobiles for 125 years. First founded by Adam Opel in Russelsheim, Germany in 1862, since 1899, the carmaker has made mobility affordable for millions of people and has continuously inspired the public with innovative models. Furthermore, exactly sixty years ago, in 1964, the Opel Design Studio opened in Russelsheim, the first automobile design centre of its kind in Europe. To mark the momentous occasions, on Saturday, June 8, 2024, Opel celebrated the two major anniversaries with an open day, attended by over 7,000 customers, employees and guests of honour, including German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and Prime Minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein.
Over 7,000 visitors attended the Opel celebrations.
In keeping with the anniversary motto, “Forever forward since 1899”, event visitors were treated to peeks at models from Opel’s celebrated past, together with current and indeed future models, illustrating the constantly evolving design philosophy of the Opel brand and allowing them to experience first-hand how Opel combines automotive tradition with a sustainable future. Indeed, the historical home of the blitz brand in Russelsheim will transform into a green-campus project from 2024, and armed with a consistent electrification strategy that will see a battery-electric variant of every Opel model on sale by the end of 2024, the major highpoint to the day was the public premiere of the all-new Frontera Electric and all-new Grandland Electric. 
Opel fans discover the all-new Opel Frontera Electric.
In attendance, Florian Huettl, Opel CEO, said: “125 years of automobile production at Opel – we not only celebrate this anniversary with our visitors, but also show how Opel has always helped shape the constant change in the automotive industry and is now positioned for the future. With the new Opel Frontera and the new Opel Grandland, we will offer our customers a fully electric variant of every Opel model from this year onwards. All this reflects our anniversary motto 'Forever forward since 1899'.”
Florian Huettl, Opel CEO, introduces the new Opel Grandland and addresses guests of honour at the opening ceremony.
Demonstrating 125 years of innovation, pop-up exhibitions showcased the very first Opel, the 1899 Opel Patent Motorwagen System Lutzmann, of which only 65 vehicles were made, alongside bestsellers and legends such as the Opel Kapitän, GT, Manta, Calibra, and indeed electric models such as the Opel Ampera, first revealed in 2012.
The Russelsheim Green Campus project is presented to guests of honour.
The Opel Design Studio exhibition presented six decades of Opel design excellence, from the extravagant 1965 Experimental GT to innovative concepts from the more recent past such as the GT X Experimental, the sensational Manta GSe and the visionary Opel Experimental. Each of these celebrated concept models see their design features mirrored in the current Opel model line-up. Other highlights to the event included a factory tour at the Russelsheim site, for visitors to see where the current Opel Astra model is produced. Motorsport fans could sign up for co-drive laps in the exciting Opel Corsa Rally Electric, whilst visitors aged 15 and over experienced the Opel Rocks Electric on another track. Younger visitors enjoyed a dedicated kid’s corner. An open-air historic car gathering, gave visitors the opportunity to display their own prized vintage Opel models.
A major attraction on the day; visitors aged over 15 had the chance to take track laps in the Opel Rocks Electric
Opel CEO, Florian Huettl, speaks with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, about the fully electric Opel Astra at the Rüsselsheim plant. In the background from left to right: Stellantis Chairman, John Elkann; Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares; Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH, Xavier Chéreau. 
Opel is part of Stellantis NV, and together with its British sister brand Vauxhall, the company is represented in more than 60 countries around the globe, continuing to enter new international markets. Armed with its consistent electrification strategy to secure sustainable success and ensure that the future mobility demands of customers are met, the German brand looks forward now to helping Stellantis achieve its target of becoming a carbon net zero company by 2038, as outlined in the company’s Dare Forward 2030 long-term strategic plan.
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Feature descriptions and illustrations may refer to or show optional equipment not included in standard delivery. The information contained was accurate at the time of publishing. We reserve the right to make changes in design and equipment. The colors shown are approximate actual colors, only. Illustrated optional equipment is available at extra charge. Availability, technical features and equipment provided on our vehicles can vary or may only be available in certain countries or may be available at extra costs, only. For precise information on the equipment provided on our vehicles, please contact your local Opel dealer.

* The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. This WLTP procedure replaces the European drive cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are, in many cases, higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: specific equipment, options and format of tires. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information on WLTP click here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

** The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures mentioned are determined according to the new test procedure WLTP and the relevant values are translated back into NEDC to allow the comparability with other vehicles. Please contact your dealer for the latest information. The values do not take into account in particular use and driving conditions, equipment or options and may vary depending on the format of tires. For more information on official fuel consumption and CO2 emission values, please read the guideline "Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions of new passenger cars" freely available in all point of sales.

*** The range and electric consumption figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. They may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: speed, thermal comfort on board the vehicle, driving style, vehicle load and outside temperature. The charging time depends in particular on the power of the charger on board the vehicle, the charging cable and the type and power of the charging station used. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information on WLTP click here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

**** The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and range figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. This WLTP procedure replaces the European drive cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are, in many cases, higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and range figures may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: charging frequency, driving style, speed, specific equipment, options, format of tires, outside temperature and thermal comfort on board the vehicle. Please contact your dealer for further information. For more information on WLTP click here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/.

Please note: All information was accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Opel reserves the right to alter specifications at any time, which may affect the data shown. All figures quoted relate to the EU base model with standard equipment.