Which brand does Opel belong to?
2 Answers
OPEL refers to Opel Automobile, a brand under the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group. Founded in France in 1897, it was sold to General Motors in 1929. In 2015, General Motors transferred Opel to PSA Peugeot Citroën. The Opel logo consists of a circle and a lightning bolt. The full name of Opel was Adam-Opel-AG (before 2017). The company traces its origins back to January 21, 1862, when it started as a sewing machine manufacturing factory. Its founder, Adam Opel, was born into a locksmith family and produced the first sewing machine in 1862. In 1863, Adam Opel established the company in a cowshed in Rüsselsheim. The development history of Opel is as follows: In 1899, Opel's first car, the "System-Lutzmann," was introduced, but the automobile business was not very successful, with only 65 units produced before it was discontinued. In 1901, still determined to pursue the automobile business, Opel signed a manufacturing agreement with France's Darracq, using their chassis and engines combined with its own body designs for sales. In 1912, the 10,000th Opel car was produced. By 1914, Opel became Germany's largest automobile manufacturer, with annual sales of 3,335 units. In 1924, Opel produced its first two-seater sports car, the "Opel-Laubfrosch." In September 1935, the P4 replaced the 1.2L model as Opel's market leader, selling over 40,000 units in 1936 alone, accounting for 19% of Germany's passenger car sales. In 1980, Opel experienced its first loss since 1950. Despite cost-cutting measures, declining innovation and quality issues began to hinder its development. In April 2013, General Motors announced an additional €4 billion revitalization plan, promising 23 new models and 13 new engines. In the spring of 2017, Opel was officially renamed Adam-Opel-GmbH. All acquisition processes were completed by August 1, 2017, marking Opel's official status as the fourth or fifth brand under PSA. In 2020, PSA announced plans to reintroduce the Opel brand to the Chinese market.
Opel is a long-established German car brand. Since I was a child, my grandfather has told me stories about it. Founded by Adam Opel in 1862, it initially produced sewing machines before transitioning to car manufacturing in 1899. After post-WWII reconstruction, it became a household name across Europe. The brand emphasizes practicality and reliability, with classic models like the Kadett and the current Astra known for their smooth driving and fuel efficiency. Now part of the Stellantis Group, Opel retains its German engineering roots—simple, durable designs that are a common sight on European roads. I once drove a used Corsa and found it to be incredibly cost-effective, perfect for average families. The brand has a rich history, weathering ups and downs while staying true to its affordable, approachable ethos—less flashy than luxury cars but reliably trustworthy.
