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After 25 years since its founding, Opel had become a successful international
manufacturer exporting sewing machines throughout Europe, the U.S.,
Russia and India. In 1887, Opel embarked on volume production of another
exclusive, high-priced machine: the bicycle. Over the years, Opel
would become the world's largest bicycle manufacturer.
In 1899, Opel produced its first car, leveraging its 37 years of
engineering and manufacturing experience. Although Adam Opel himself
died before car production began, the Opel famly carried on his vision,
helping to make the automobile affordable transportation for as many
people as possible.
Opel contracts with carriage builder, Friedrich Lutzmann from Dessau,
to build its first automobile, the "Opel Patent Motor Car, System
Lutzmann" in Rüsselsheim.
Opel contracts with the Frenchman Alexandre Darracq to manufacture
Darracq automobiles under license.
Presentation of the first car to be developed completely by Opel,
the 10/12 hp model with a new two-cylinder engine with built-in water
pump. Top speed: 45 km/h.
Established a branch factory in Berlin. The 1,000th Opel automobile
is completed.
Introduction of a 4/8 hp model with a 4-cylinder engine, known as
the "Doctor's Car", priced at 3,950 marks. Opel takes the first
step towards making automobiles that are affordable for broader sections
of the public.
Completion of the 10,000th Opel. First collective bargaining agreement
sets standard working hours (55.5 hours per week) and minimum wage
(36 Pfennigs per hour).
Opel becomes the largest German automobile manufacturer, selling 3,335
automobiles. Opel begins to employ women on its assembly lines.
Opel invests one million gold marks in the modernization of its automobile
production and becomes the first German manufacturer to introduce
volume production with assembly-line methods.
With a market share of 37.5% and 42, 771 units sold, Opel is Germany's
largest automobile manufacturer. Opel becomes a stock corporation
(a German Aktiengesellschaft").
General Motors acquires 80% interest in Opel. Opel is the first German
manufacturer to establish an insurance company and a bank for financing
installment sales.
General Motors acquires the remaining 20% of Opel shares. Opel becomes
a 100% General Motors subsidiary. The company's 13,000 employees produce
500 cars and 6,000 bicycles daily.
Opel is the first German manufacturer with an annual production of
100,000 automobiles. The new P4 model priced at 1,650 marks is later
reduced to 1,450 marks, making this a highly economical car unequalled
by the competition.
With an annual production of 120,923 vehicles, Opel is Europe's largest
auto producer.
After years as the world's largest bicycle manufacturer, Opel ends
bicycle manufacturing. Opel sells production to NSU in order to concentrate
on automobile production.
Opel produces its one-millionth vehicle. Passenger car production
stops in October.
Rüsselsheim and Brandenburg plants are destroyed by bombs.
Production equipment for the Kadett model is dismantled by the Soviet
Union.
The first post-war Opel, a 1.5-ton Blitz truck, rolls out of the factory.
Reconstruction of the Rüsselsheim plant is completed.
The two-millionth Opel is produced. Opel doubles production capacity
with the inauguration of the new body plant, K 40.
Opel celebrates its 100th anniversary and inaugurates the second
plant in Bochum.
The one millionth Kadett leaves the Bochum plant. Opel opens the
Dudenhofen Proving Ground in Germany and inaugurates a new component
manufacturing plant in Kaiserslautern.
Production figures surpass 10 million.
Opel is the largest car manufacturer in Germany with a 20.4% market
share.
Opel is the first automobile manufacturer to introduce environmentally
compatible water-based paints. A new paint shop in Rüsselsheim
is completed at a cost of over 500 million marks.
Opel constructs a new plant in Zaragoza, Spain for the production
of the Opel Corsa, the most compact car ever produced by the company.
The 20 millionth car leaves the Rüsselsheim plant. Asbestos-free
clutch linings become standard equipment.
Opel becomes the first manufacturer to offer a complete range of
models equipped with catalytic converters. Opel develops a sponsoring
concept which forms the basis of a strong engagement in dynamic ball
sports and partnerships with world-class athletes and teams.
Opel celebrates its 125th anniversary. The new DM 300 million paint
shop in Bochum sets worldwide environmental standards through the
use of water-soluble paints.
The 25 millionth Opel, an Omega Caravan, rolls off the production
line. Opel becomes the first company to fit a closed-loop catalytic
converter as standard equipment on all its gasoline-engined cars in
Germany.
Opel's new, state-of-the art plant in Eisenach, Germany sets the standard
for future lean manufacturing facilities of General Motors.
The Opel International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim
is made responsible for design and manufacturing engineering of operations
outside North America.
Opel produces its 30 millionth vehicle and becomes the main sponsor
of the FIFA Football World Cup in the U.S.A.
Opel becomes the first German manufacturer to open an assembly plant
in Poland.
Opel and Bertone celebrate 10 years of partnership, during which some
105,000 Opel Cabriolets were assembled in Bertone's plant near Turin,
Italy.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Hesse Minister President
Hans Eichel meet Executives of Adam Opel AG to start the celebration
of "100 Years of Opel Automobiles".
Opel breaks ground for a new state-of-the art automobile factory in
Rüsselsheim, representing an investment of DM 820 million.
Opel launches the Agila, a versatile microvan, the Astra Coupe and
Astra ECO 4, the first four-liter cars in the compact class, and the
third generation of the Opel Corsa.
Opel presents the Speedster, a mid-engined, two-seater sportscar
and the Fuel Cell Zafira "HydroGen1" concept car. Opel also presents
the Zafira 1.6 16V CNG, an engineering study that runs on compressed
natural gas. It has a power output of 74 kW / 100 hp, a maximum torque
of 150 Newton meters at 3800 rpm and a top speed of 172 km/h.
Opel announces the most significant engine offensive in its history.
The ECOTEC engine generation is largely modified to further increase
performance, reduce emission levels and fuel consumption. |
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