The Opel brand has a “great value”. The number one in Europe Stellantis Group Uwe Hochgeschurz is convinced of this, who stated in an interview with Automotive News that today very satisfied with the brand and its models. “Opel is and will remain, like all other Stellantis brands, an independent brand”he added.

Opel, as a reminder, was bought by the PSA group in 2017 in a deal worth 2.2 billion euros. This was a historic move, as General Motors had controlled Opel since 1931. This operation made PSA the second largest automotive group in Europe.

Today, the Opel design center in Russelsheim, Germany, is one of the most modern in the Stellantis group. “Development opportunities are high”explains Uwe Hochgeshurz, “We can develop many successful models like Corsa, Mokka or even Astra”.

Well-functioning factories, the future of Insignia is approaching

Opel’s two plants in Germany, in Russelsheim and Eisenach, have a constant workload which, as the manager explained, guarantees them a certain future. The Rüsselsheim plant near Frankfurt, for example, was enriched with the production of the Opel/Vauxhall Astra and DS 4, while the Grandland is produced in Eisenach, “a successful car with a full order book”.

The next big novelty from Opel will be the Insignia. But where will it be produced? “We have not yet announced the place of production”– said Uwe Hochgeshurz, while reminding that the new version will have a completely different design from the one we know now. Its presentation is scheduled for 2024.

Europe, the number one market for Opel

Last year, Opel, like other Stellantis brands, lost market share in Europe, in particular due to a shortage of electronic chips and certain logistical problems. “We had customers, we had ready cars, but they did not reach their destination”explained Uwe Hochgeshurz, “Problems with logistics affected the largest manufacturers more than others. Transport opportunities are limited due to a lack of truck drivers”.

The main thing today for the manager, is that Opel is now consistently profitable after being unprofitable for nearly two decades. Europe will remain the number one market for this manufacturer during the Blitz, while expansion into China, as former Opel CEO Michael Loescheller wanted, is no longer on the agenda.

Be that as it may, even if Opel’s positioning in Stellantis is not yet confirmed, the group still expects the German manufacturer to increase its market share on the Old Continent.