Opel

Founded in 1862 by Adam Opel in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the company initially manufactured sewing machines and later became the world's largest bicycle producer. Opel entered the automotive industry in 1899 through a partnership with Friedrich Lutzmann, and by 1914, it had become Germany's largest car manufacturer. In 1929, General Motors (GM) acquired a majority stake in Opel, marking the beginning of nearly nine decades of American ownership where Opel served as GM's European engineering hub and volume leader with iconic models like the Kadett and Astra. The late 20th century saw Opel expand its global footprint, though it faced increasing financial pressure within the GM structure during the 2000s. Despite the challenges, Opel remained a leader in technical innovation, introducing advanced aerodynamics and safety features across its lineup. In a landmark shift in 2017, Groupe PSA (now part of Stellantis) acquired Opel and its British twin brand, Vauxhall, from General Motors for approximately $2.3 billion, ending GM's long-standing presence in the European volume market. Under PSA (and subsequently Stellantis) leadership, Opel returned to profitability within a year of the acquisition by streamlining operations and migrating models onto shared platforms. Today, Opel is executing a 'Greenovation' strategy, rebranding itself with a 'Bold and Pure' design language. The manufacturer is currently phasing out internal combustion engines in favor of a fully electric portfolio to meet European climate targets, integrating deeply into the Stellantis global supply chain and platform strategy.