Adam Opel GmbH (commonly known as Opel) is a German automobile company was established on 01.21.1863 and started producing cars in 1899. Since 1929, Opel became a subsidiary of GM. Today, Opel is the largest brand of GM Europe, which plays a key role in GM's operations in Europe along with the Vauxhall brand.
Getting started :
Opel Adam Opel founded by him on 21.01.1863, originally specialized in producing household goods and is a major manufacturer of sewing machines. The company had sales of leading European sewing machines and bicycles 2000 production year. In 1898, working with Lutzmann Opel production cars first, so the cars are marketed with the name Opel-Lutzmann. However, two years later, the partnership ends and Opel's son signed a contract with the French carmaker Darracg to produce cars with "" Opel-Darracq. " The car's chassis and bodywork Opel Darracq, 2-cylinder engine.
Opel Lutzmann :
In 1906, Opel began producing vehicles with its own design, this design was first introduced in 1902 at the Hamburg Motor Show. Since 1907, the Opel-Darracq had been discontinued.
Opel-Darracq :
In 1911, the plant almost completely destroyed due to fire. Later, Opel built a new factory equipped with modern machines and sewing machines do not produce anymore. Currently, the company is producing automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles. In 1913, Opel became the largest automobile manufacturer in Germany. Typical Model
Opel Corsa
Opel Astra
Opel Zafira
Opel Vectra
Opel Omega
Opel Kadett
GM bought Opel :
3 / 1929, GM bought 80% in 1931, the Opel and to complete 100% ownership. Opel family received $ 66 million from the sale.
GM Europe :
Many cars sold by General Motors worldwide are Opel designs, including models like Corsa, Astra, Vectra and Omega. The model of the Opel also sold under other GM brand names such as Vauxhall in the UK, Holden in Oceania, Chevrolet in Latin America and Saturn in the United States. Versatility of Opel vehicles sold in Japan for Subaru Traviq name, and Omega is on the U.S. market in a short time with the name of Cadillac Catera. Other models sold in the U.S. but is a bit modified Saturn L-series, Chevrolet Malibu and Cobalt. The majority of future Saturn models will be identical or is based on Opel cars like the Saturn Sky or Aura. The Pontiac LeMans (1989-1994) was the first car manufacturer Daewoo to export to North America also is based on the Opel Kadett (now Astra) and larger Rekord (now Omega). The Opel branded cars in the U.S. occur in the late '60s as CBU imported cars sold by Buick distributors.
Pontiac LeMans :
Opel has served as GM's most powerful brand in Japan for a long time with sales reaching 38.000 units in 1996. However, since then the brand has to wane, in 2005 only 1.800 units.
Subaru Traviq :
Opel is GM's main brand in Europe except the UK because there is a GM subsidiary Vauxhall is still using its own label. Vauxhall's models were completely different design of Opel, until the year 70. Opel name has almost disappeared in England in 1981 after Vauxhall and Opel dealerships were merged, only two vehicles sold under the Opel brand is Manta, in 1988 and lasted until the 1987 Monza.
Vauxhall began removing Opel's names for its models except the Kadett is replaced by the Astra. In countries using the reverse-hand drive vehicles such as Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, Opel is the main brand. For many years, Opel has sponsored soccer teams of Ireland with the slogan "number one sponsor of Ireland".
Opel factory in Bochum :
Some opinion that GM should replace Opel Vauxhall brand in the UK to harmonize advertising strategy across Europe. But Vauxhall has protested, saying its brand was very popular, with many customers and even take requests model Opel Vauxhall brands. Opel also provides machinery and design for America's Saturn brand in Japan, similar to Vauxhall in the UK.
October 2004, Opel risk to 12,000 workers for the European market is not profitable. Company workers went on strike in six days to protest the firing, it has seriously affected the production situation.
In 2005, the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid technology was born.
In 2006, the Azambuja plant in Portugal were closed so the producers had to switch to Opel Combo Zaragoza factory in Spain. This triggered a boycott movement across Portugal and the government has sued General Motors.
At this point, Azambuja is a temporary event closing brief history do not get the glory for parent company GM and Opel in Europe. With these achievements in such business, GM will be very hard to steer the boat back to its Opel or downstream as the other European brands that Ford rivals did recently?
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