In 2023, it will be 161 years old. 161 years of existence of the Opel brand ! Not exactly like a car manufacturer, because initially Opel was engaged in the production of sewing machines. It was in 1898 that the brand decided to start an automotive adventure.

Thus, along with Peugeot and Daimler, it is one of the oldest car manufacturers still in business. ! Over the years, Opel produced cars, SUVs and even trucks, including the famous Blitz, which appeared in 1937.

In 1929, the American group General Motors acquired 80% of its capital. Two years later, in 1931. Opel officially becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of GM. For more than 85 years, the history of Opel has been closely connected with General Motors. Therefore, Opel models were produced in many countries and under other brands associated with the group. as Chevrolet, Buick, Holden, Saturn and Subaru…

The return of sunny days thanks to PSA

Opel is also primarily associated with the Vauxhall brand. Although in the past they were separate and even competed in some markets, in the mid-1970s General Motors decided to merge the engineering, design and design offices of the two brands. Since, Vauxhall is nothing more than a right-hand drive Opel for the British market. Since the 1980s, Opel has achieved increasing success thanks to city ​​car Corsa and compact Astra.

Even during the Great Recession that hit General Motors in 2009, Opel persevered. Thanks to the Zafira minivan and the Insignia station wagon, when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Since 2017, Opel has become a subsidiary of PSA (now Stellantis). Under this new leadership, the brand benefited from a full view of the assortmentrepositioning of its products and a clarifying the image of your brand…

Very minor logo update

Since 2020, its logo has evolved. Three years later, Opel has just presented another evolution of its famous Blitz ! Of course, there is no question of changing the known flash. He dresses all models of the brand in a form that has not changed much since 1954! With large-scale electrification (Opel will become 100% electric in 2028), it would be difficult to imagine changing the logo, which is so symbolic of electricity. So what changes? It remains in 2Dbut there is now cut into two parts and not in a whole piece, as before. The circle that was closed now opens to release the ends of the lightning. In short, not much new, but it is true a look that makes it more modern and less bland than Blitz before. The first model that is equipped with it in the standard configuration will be released in 2024.

Read also:

Opel Corsa-e: what is a city electric car worth?

Test Opel Astra (2022): more stable than Peugeot 308?

Opel Grandland will become 100% electric