Opel car company is a German automobile manufacturer that have been in the business since the late 19th century. Founded in 1899 by Adam Opel, the company is well respected and renowned as a popular vehicle maker in the majority of countries around the world. This article will provide an informative analysis of Opel car brand and delve into who owns the company.
The original founder of Opel, Adam Opel passed away in 1895 and the company was taken over by his sons Wilhelm and Fritz. Up until the 1950s, the family was the majority owner of the company but the company eventually went public and has been traded on the Frankfurt Stock exchange since 1928. In 1929, General Motors (GM) then acquired a major stake in the company, moving from 10 percent to 58 percent a few years after. In 2017, GM announced the full sale of their stake in Opel to the French manufacturer PSA group (Peugeot Citroën), while they still maintain an influence on the car manufacturer.
Since the takeover in 2017, PSA group have made major decisions with respect to Opel’s future. One of the biggest changes was the annoucement to change the production base from Germany to France, as they claimed that it would more efficient, and more cost effective. This was met with a lot of criticism by both German Trade Union and customers as it could cause further unemployment within the country. Despite this criticism, Opel have looked to stay competitive within the industry and revised its business strategy in order to keep up with its rivals.
As for the company itself, Opel is the United Kingdom’s second largest car brand with a 5.35 percent market share. Their popularity has increased recently with a 3.2 percent increase from 2018 to 2019. In terms of overall production, the company produces over 17 cars per year ranging from hatchbacks, SUVS and compact vehicles.
Currently, Opel is in a very interesting situation as PSA group proceeds with its plans for the company. The company is becoming more popular in the market, with their sales figures rising and the company are willing to innovate the industry with their new concepts and experiments. Despite this, the company face a lot of doubt and criticism with regards to their methods and future strategy.
The Opel car brand has a strong history, with it’s founder Adam Opel paving the way for a successful car company. Since 1928 the company has been publicly traded, with a majority share of the control belonging to General Motors. Eventually, in 2017 PSA group purchased completely the company’s share, and are looking to take the company to the next level. The company is ever growing in the industry, as their constant innovations and experiments have allowed them to stay competitive within the industry. Despite this many believe doubt and criticism should be implemented, due to their strategy.
Flagship Luxurious Cars
Opel has been known to create luxurious vehicles through their production. The Astra, Vauxhall and Astra GTC all provide a great drive experience to the customers and are considered luxury cars due to the features and services they offer. The company also have their own flagship venture with their Opel Insignia Grand Sport. This car provides a luxurious drive combining a powerful engine, as well as a greater range of refined comforts.
The car offers a range of features, such as the adaptive turn assist, traffic sign recognition and lane keeping alert which provide passengers with a safer and stress free experience. The car also has an Autonomous Emergency Braking engine which helps to reduce potential crashes.
For entertainment, the Insignia Grand sport provides the surround sound system which is sure to give the experience of a theatre. The car also has a bigger than life panoramic sunroof and a wireless charging pad, allowing customers to keep all their devices charged while they drive.
This car is considered to be one of the best within the company, however it is important to remember that the company offer a range of cars all with different features and services. With this in mind, customers can pick and choose the right car for them.
The Growing Popularity of Opel Cars
As of the beginning of 2020, Opel Cars have become the second most popular car manufacturer in the United Kingdom with a 5.35 percent market share. This is due to the sales of the Opel Mokka X, which was released in 2020 and sold 35,862 units from the middle of March to the end of May. This figure is a 3.2 percent increase from sales of the company in 2018. Coincidentally, this spike can be attributed to a new strategy by PSA group to implement aggressive marketing campaigns to draw in the public’s attention. Because of their campaigns, Opel cars became the fourth most popular new cars in the market.
In other areas of the world, Opel may not be quite as popular, yet the company continues to be a renowned car seller and is held in a high regard by many. This is due to collaborations, such as the company’s partnership with Vauxhall, which has been around since 1925. Vauxhall cars are becoming more popular in places like the United Kingdom, where they have a 3.43 percent market share, although this is still lower than Opel. In other countries, such as the US and Europe, Vauxhall and Opel cars are still regarded as high quality, with many US customers looking to purchase Vauxhall cars rather than Opel’s, due to their features.
Overall, it is hard to see just how popular Opel really is due to their collaborations with other car companies and their wide range of cars. One thing is for sure however, the company continues to look for ways to increase their market share, expanding their popularity throughout the world, regardless of the challenges that may arise.
The Future of the Company
Since PSA Group bought out Opel from G.M, the company has gone from strength to strength. PSA’s plans for the company includes collaborations with other firms to create a multi-brand strategy and technologies, to compete with other car companies in the industry. One such example is the merger of Peugeot with FCA group, another vehicle maker.
Furthermore, PSA has also started to implement strategies that have been proven to have a positive effect on the environment, investing in eco-friendly vehicles, batteries and even charging points. This reflects the current trend in the market and the overall view of consumers, as the majority of people are now looking to buy sustainable cars. The company have also stated that they plan to invest in more electric and hybrid engines in the future.
On top of this, PSA Group look to keep the company within the European area, despite the movement from Germany to France. The company would look to keep the bulk of the Opel staff in countries such as Spain, as well as implementing a new strategy that would ultimately keep jobs within the region.
With this in mind, it is safe to say that Opel looks to have a very promising future with PSA Group at the wheel. The company looks to stay competitive in the industry and move with the current market trends. Whether they will be as successful as they wish, only time will tell.
Innovative Experiments
This year, Opel have been pushing their boundaries in terms of innovation and new concepts for the future. One such example is the Ampera-e, which is an all-electric car with a range of about 400km. The car uses the CCS connection which allows for fast charging of the vehicle, becoming the first car in the world to do so.
On top of this, the company has also been experimenting with digital technology, with their own app connected to the car. This app allows customers to manage their Opel car with precision, through the use of an interactive interface. Customers can also use the app to manage the car’s performance and even book appointments with garages.
In terms of style and design, the company has stayed ahead of the curve. Their Astra hatchback and Crossland X SUV offer a great aesthetic while still providing all the necessary features and comfortability needed.
Overall, Opel have been experimenting a lot lately with the concept of style and technology. Through the various features and experiments that the company has created, it is clear that the company is looking for a way to stay competitive and innovate the industry.
Price Ranges
When it comes to price range, Opel has a wide variety of choice. Their luxury cars range from €30,000 to €60,000, with their Insignia Grand Sport as the most expensive. On the other hand, the entry level of vehicles start from about €15,000 for the Astra, or for the smaller and more conservative cars, the Adam, Corsa and Astra GTC.
Included in their prices, the company have a great range in terms of features and performance. They have their own infotainment system which is compatible with smartphones, as well as a built in navigation system, camera systems, engine performance and climate control.
The company also has insurance cover included in their new cars. Their cars also come with an additional 5 year warranty and service plan, allowing customers to have more peace of mind should any mechanical malfunctions occur with their vehicles.
Overall, Opel’s rather wide range certainly suits the majority of the customers wanting to buy a mid range car. With the added bonus of warranties and performance, the company looks to keep its customers content and provide them with their desired car.
