Opel — History, Models and Everything You Need to Know

Adam Opel founded his company in Rüsselsheim, Germany in 1862 — initially as a sewing machine manufacturer. He added bicycle production in 1886, and by the late 1890s the company had pivoted to automobiles. Opel produced its first car in 1899 in partnership with Friedrich Lutzmann. By the early 20th century Opel had become one of Germany's largest and most progressive car manufacturers, winning the first German long-distance car race in 1902 and establishing a strong motorsport presence.

General Motors acquired Opel in 1929 — making it the first significant American acquisition of a European car manufacturer. Under GM, Opel became an important part of the corporation's global strategy, sharing platforms and technology with Chevrolet, Buick and other GM brands. The postwar Opel Kadett, Rekord and Manta became defining cars of West German motoring. The Opel Corsa launched in 1982 as an affordable small car that eventually became one of Europe's best-selling nameplates. The Opel Astra — launched in 1991 as a Golf competitor — became Opel's most important model for three decades.

In 2017 General Motors sold Opel and its UK sister brand Vauxhall to PSA Group for €2.2 billion — ending 88 years of American ownership. The sale was driven by Opel's persistent losses under GM and PSA's belief that its platform-sharing strategy could return Opel to profitability. The turnaround was rapid and effective. PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler in 2021 to form Stellantis, making Opel part of one of the world's largest automotive groups.

Opel and Vauxhall are effectively a single brand selling identical vehicles under different names in different markets. Opel is used across continental Europe — Germany, France, Spain, Italy and most other EU markets. Vauxhall is used exclusively in the United Kingdom — a heritage that dates back to Vauxhall Motors being acquired by General Motors in 1925, four years before the Opel acquisition. The two brands were subsequently managed as a single unit, sharing all platforms, engineering and manufacturing while maintaining separate marketing identities for their respective markets. Every Opel Corsa is also a Vauxhall Corsa. Every Opel Astra is a Vauxhall Astra. The products are identical.

The original Opel Manta — produced from 1970 to 1988 — was a stylish, affordable coupe that became a cult car in Germany and across Europe. Its distinctive fastback styling and sporting character made it one of the most beloved German cars of its era despite its modest performance credentials. In 2023 Opel revived the Manta nameplate as the Manta-e — a fully electric crossover that references the original's proportions and character in a thoroughly modern package. The Manta-e is a bold statement about Opel's electric future — proving that electrification does not have to mean anonymous styling.

Opel's competitive positioning is straightforward — a German-heritage mainstream brand offering strong value, electrification across every model and an emotional connection built over 125 years of European motoring. The brand's commitment to offering an electric version of every model — and to selling only electric cars in Europe from 2028 — is one of the most decisive electrification commitments of any mainstream manufacturer. The Corsa Electric and Mokka Electric have been strong sellers in the growing affordable EV segment. And the Manta-e's revival of a beloved nameplate demonstrates that Opel is willing to use its heritage actively rather than simply preserve it in a museum. For European buyers who want a familiar, trusted brand with German roots and full EV availability at mainstream prices, Opel remains one of the most compelling choices in the market.