Where is Opel assembled? Where is the Opel Astra assembled - the choice of the country of origin, design features and technical components of the coupe. Achievements of the Polish plant

As I have written many times, I am a car designer by training. In our country the profession is not in demand. We studied at MSUT "MAMI" on Semenovskaya. There were only 35 of us for the entire course, of whom 20 graduated. Of these twenty, only a few turned out to be smart designers, and I don’t consider myself one of them. Everyone has scattered in different directions: into architecture, into managers, into designers, into photographers and into the Euroset... But none of us works in domestic auto industry. Ivan Babich, for example, is now developing yachts in Monaco. And only Andrey Gusev works in his profession - in the Opel design bureau in Rüsselsheim.

I went to visit my old friend and walked around the workshops of the plant where Insignia and Astra cars are produced. And I also found out where the saying “Every car someday becomes an Opel” came from.

1. The Opel plant is a city-forming enterprise in Rüsselsheim. The headquarters of Opel Haus are located here. Many people mistakenly believe that Opel’s slogan translates as “We love cars,” but the correct translation is “We live by cars.”

2. At first I thought that these were demonstration electric vehicles, but it turned out that they were working - senior management travels on Amperes, which are charged during the day near the entrance to the building. I've been thinking about riding Ampere around Europe for a long time. Such cars are not supplied to Russia, since there is no necessary infrastructure, and our brains are not yet ready to take care of environment, as they do in Europe or the USA.

3. The building itself is equipped with a clever climate control system that automatically opens and closes the windows and adjusts the tilt of the blinds, which allows you to save energy on heating and air conditioning.

4. Part of the electricity for offices is generated by solar panels.

6. The world's first aircraft with rocket engine RAK1 is still in the air under the roof of the Opel House. On September 30, 1929, Fritz von Opel made his flight in the vicinity of Frankfurt.

8. We met old friends who had been sitting at the “same desk” for 6 years. Andrey Gusev works as a creative designer for car exteriors in the department promising developments(Advanced Design). He is working on the creation of concept cars for Opel cars. Andrey also participated in the development of the design of the new Astra.

9. Before walking around the plant, we went to the Visualization Room. This room is used for various presentations, project meetings and discussions virtual models.

10. A life-size image of the car is projected on a special wall-sized screen, which simplifies the perception and assessment of the object in the initial stages of development.

11. Negotiations are also underway here with other GM studios around the world (USA, Korea, Australia, Brazil) - it’s like Skype, only not in front of a computer, but in a movie theater. It is in this room that decisions are made about what the model will work or will not go into mass production.

12. In 1863, Adam Opel opened a factory for the production of sewing machines, is now one of the largest and oldest car factories in the world. It employs 16,000 people and produces 180,000 cars annually.

13. The largest forging (stamping) shop of Opel. While the presses are running, the floor shakes a little, like during a small earthquake. They look like rolls of paper, but in reality they are steel sheets for body parts.

14. Thicker sheets are supplied in pallets. After World War II, there was a shortage of metal, and scrap metal melted from old cars was used to produce Opel cars. This is where the saying “Every car eventually becomes an Opel” comes from.

15. Forging presses.

16. There is German order all around the factory. The technical passage is divided into three parts - for carts carrying dies for presses (orange structure on the left), an area for the movement of forklifts and other equipment, and a path for cyclists and pedestrians.

17. Huge dies that are installed in stamping presses various bodies and elements.

19. Hundreds of matrices are dispersed throughout the workshop area. They are all marked different colors according to your car model.

20. In a forge shop, people perform only the function of quality control.

21. Presses work loudly and quickly. They are not waiting for any photographers trying to get a sharp shot.

22. This machine produces up to twenty small shapes per minute.

23. Such a machine costs 40 million euros. In one operation, he stamps the side of the car. The press weighs 6500 tons.

24. Finished sidewall of the Opel Corsa.

25. Finished parts are sent for welding and painting.

27. Stand with reference samples. Several parts are randomly selected from each batch and compared with the standard.

28. In Rüsselsheim they make blanks for all models, which are then sent to other factories, including Russia.

31. The welding shop works in two shifts. Each shift has 200 people.

32. 700 robots work on welding and body assembly, each of which costs 100,000 euros. Production is 98% automated.
The bare body weighs 400 kg, and painting takes 8 kg of paint and varnish. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to film the painting process.

33. The assembly shop employs 2,000 workers in two shifts. They work in groups of 5 people. In this workshop there is a special time cycle of 65 seconds. In 65 seconds, a worker must complete a certain stage of work. If he does not have time, the conveyor stops. There are special ropes everywhere; when you pull them, the conveyor stops and music starts playing. Each team has its own melody, according to which the foreman determines who has a problem and helps to solve it faster.

34. In total, up to 40 types of motors are supplied to the conveyor.

35. I used to be sure that there was, say, a conveyor line for the production of a yellow Lada Kalina sedan with a 1.6 engine, automatic. The line works for several months, then it is changed and other cars are produced. And in Opel, different cars are assembled simultaneously on one conveyor line, one after another. different configurations and configurations. The computer makes sure that every engine, every body part, finds exactly its car.
For me this was the discovery of the day. You can produce up to 9 different car models on one conveyor!

36. If you really want, you can come to the factory and see how your car is assembled.

38. All cars undergo a series of tests for body tightness, handling, braking, and operation of the main elements.

39. A railway line runs right through the territory of the plant.

40. About new Astra GTC I already wrote:

41. And this is the first Opel car. The history of the brand began 150 years ago with the production of sewing machines.

42. The museum displays cars from different eras. The museum itself is more like a workshop. It is constantly working on the restoration of exhibits. The space does not allow for all the exhibits to be placed, so more than half of the collection is stored in storage rooms. In a few years the museum will move to new premises.

44. Concept cars are stored in storage rooms. This is, for example, the Antara concept.

45. And this is Insignia.

47. Super car!

Today it is common practice to trust the assembly Vehicle specific brand to specialists from different countries. Therefore, car assembly plants can be located all over the world. Where is Opel Astra assembled? The following article offers an answer to this question.

World famous brand

Adam Opel AMG is a German manufacturer of cars that are part of the concern General Motors with headquarters located in Germany, in Rüsselsheim. This company has 11 factories, reinforced by four centers, where Opel Astra is assembled, new models are developed and tested.

To create machines, the efforts of enterprises from the following countries are involved:

Polish plant

Opel is one of the fastest growing brands in Poland, where the Opel Astra is assembled. In 2014, the brand sold more than 28,000 cars in the country (+41%) and was able to rise to the fourth market of Total cars with a market share of almost 7.2%.

The company's prosperity continued later: in the first quarter of 2015, sales increased by 23 percent and market share by 1.7 percentage points compared to the same period last year.

Opel Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. (formerly General Motors Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o.) is the largest enterprise where Opel Astra is assembled. He creates cars at the plant in Gliwice and builds engines in Tychy. This is the answer to the question, whose build is the Opel Astra?

Subsidiary

Opel Manufacturing Poland is subsidiary company Opel Automobile GmbH in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which in turn is a subsidiary of Groupe PSA.

This should not be confused with Opel Opel Poland Sp. z o.o. with a seat in Warsaw, publicly acting as Opel Polska.

Polish manufactory

Opel Manufacturing Poland, where the Opel Astra is assembled, is located in the Silesian Voivodeship Opel Manufacturing Poland. Plant location - Gliwice, type of industry - automotive. The area of the enterprise territory occupies 731,343 square meters. m.

Creates compact car Opel Astra for the Opel, Vauxhall and Holden brands and Opel Cascada for the previously named brands and Buick for the North American market.

A little history

GM Powertrain Poland and before that Isuzu Motors Polska Sp. z o.o. or ISPOL was opened in 1996 by Isuzu as an alternative site for the creation of the Circle L engine, also produced in the United States in joint venture DMAX.

However, the emergence of financial problems forced General Motors to control 60% of ISPOL's capital. In 2013, General Motors acquired the remaining 40% stake in the Tychy plant from Isuzu Motors Ltd.

In preparation for GM's sale of the Opel and Vauxhall brands with all automobile business Opel/Vauxhall in Europe From 1 August 2017 this factory was taken over by Opel Automobile GmbH, which was sold to PSA.

On 21 March 2018, PSA announced that this factory would be converted to produce three-cylinder petrol Puretech engines, which will be delivered to the PSA plant in Trnava, Slovakia, saving hundreds of kilometers on transport.

“The increase in production is associated with the acceleration assembly lines and hiring new workers. All operations are carried out faster, by more employees, which means that instead of cars leaving the production line every ninety seconds, it now takes 80,” Gliwice plant director Andrzej Korpak told PAP.

In the photo, Thomas Sedran, the current head of Opel, stands next to an engine during Opel's 150th anniversary celebrations on September 22, 2012 in Ruselsheim, Germany. The troubled automaker, owned by General Motors (GM) since the 1920s, is struggling to return to profit and reaffirm its brand reputation.

Advantages of Opel Astra

Where is the Opel-Astra-Universal assembled? Compact hatchback and the station wagon from Rüsselsheim can now be ordered using the CNG system equipped at the factory. Based on the 1.4 Turbo ECOTEC, this natural gas combustion model produces 110 hp of torque. With. and 200 Nm, available from 2000 to 3600 rpm, making it comparable to rivals VW Golf TGI and SEAT Leon TGI.

The effectiveness of the model is beyond doubt. Astra CNG uses 4.1 to 4.3 kg of compressed natural gas per 100 km (NEDC). Its dual Type 4 CNG cylinders can store up to 19kg of gas, while the petrol tank can hold 13.7 liters of unleaded. To help drivers use CNG as much as possible, petrol stations offering natural gas, are stored in POI navigation system Astra.

Achievements of the Polish plant

2 million cars have already become a Polish achievement Opel plant in Gliwice. This event became the reason for the transition to the next stage of production development. An addition is expected - the launch of the Opel Astra in a new generation. Andrzej Korpak, managing director of the company, highly appreciated the success of the friendly team of specialists and outlined prospects for the future.

Let's sum it up

The Gliwice plant is the same enterprise where the Opel Astra Family is assembled.

To create machines, the efforts of enterprises from the following countries are involved: Germany - three factories, two English enterprises, Polish, Russian, Spanish.

Opel Manufacturing Poland, where the Opel Astra is assembled, is located in the Silesian Voivodeship Opel Manufacturing Poland. Plant location - Gliwice, type of industry - automotive. Creates the Opel Astra compact car for the Opel, Vauxhall and Holden brands and the Opel Cascada for the previously named brands.

Opel Astra is a vehicle brand that can be chosen for everyday use on city roads. Here she will show her productivity and reliability.

The German brand Opel today is fully owned by the American concern General Motors, is actively represented in Europe, and is especially loved in Britain. By the way, for the British the company left the brand name Vauxhall, as well as simple and popular models corporations appear every now and then model lines small brands in a licensed version. Opel is one of the most open manufacturers, whose model range can satisfy both students and retirees. Recently, the concern's offerings have changed actively, which has led to many questions from potential buyers. For example, when purchasing a vehicle, the question began to arise about where Opel is assembled and how well the assembly is done.

The corporation is not updating its lineup so quickly. Until recently, the corporation’s lineup included a popular sedan, hatchback and Astra station wagon Classic, whose design is already over 15 years old. However, the company is perceived as a European brand; many people want to purchase cars from this particular manufacturer. Experts often say that American investments have made German concern even better, they saved him from unnecessary pickiness about little things.

A little history and geography from the Opel automobile concern

Considering the fact that the company is intended only for Europe, the geographical distribution of factory capacity is not so high. The company does not have production points in Brazil, India and Africa, as well as in China, as is common among modern brands. The company concentrates its production in Europe, as well as in Russia. Potential buyers of Opel cars in our country purchase transport domestic assembly. Localization in the company is quite high, and the geography of the concern is as follows:

There are four main factories in Germany that produce engines and some premium models;
almost all models are manufactured at local factories throughout Europe;
full-fledged production facilities are present in Belgium, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Poland;
in the UK there is full-fledged production of Astra and some other models that are most popular in England;
the Russian branch of Opel with plants in Shushary and Kaliningrad produces the entire model range;
in Turkey and France, Opel cars are assembled at factories of third-party corporations in this field;
The expansion of the corporation continues exclusively within Western Europe - here the concern sees its potential market.

The development of the brand is severely limited by the decisions of General Motors. For the sake of developing the Opel brand, the company is withdrawing Chevrolet from the European market, allowing the Germans to remain the only official representative GM in Europe. This promises a certain development of the corporation and the absence of internal competition. The company was represented very widely in Russia, but in the last year some production functions have been curtailed. The company partially left the market due to the crisis in automotive sector. Not long ago, plans were announced to partially move production to Belarus.

Model range - budget offers up to 1,000,000 rubles

Among the models presented on the Russian market you can find both premium cars with excellent characteristics And the latest equipment, and quite old versions of equipment with a low price tag. The company tried to please all potential buyers, but its image in Russia was rather limited. Because expensive cars Opel production is not yet a very popular competitor to other premium brands. To understand all the features of budget transport from a German company, it is enough to consider the following proposal options:

Astra Family - sedan, hatchback and station wagon in classic form, which provide low price(from 655,000 rubles) and classic design, good technology with somewhat outdated characteristics;
Zafira Family - old version family minivan, which looks quite adequate for quiet use in a large family, good engine and good equipment make this car an excellent purchase, cost from 830,000;
Meriva is another one family car, but from a new model range, has modern design, a more compact interior and not too powerful power units, costs from 780,000 rubles;
The new generation Astra in hatchback, sedan and station wagon bodies is absolutely new car With modern characteristics And attractive design, excellent endurance and low fuel consumption, the model costs from 741,000 rubles for a hatchback;
Astra GTC is a sporty 3-door version of the hatchback, which is perfect for youth active use or for a young family, the successful design is combined with at an affordable price at 819,000;
Mokka is a compact youth crossover with a successful design and excellent characteristics, a completely modern design of every detail, up-to-date technology and good interior design features, as well as a good price of 830,000 rubles.

This is what the lineup of budget vehicles from Opel. Recently, the influence of General Motors designers and engineers on the appearance and technical equipment Opel cars. If earlier the German concern remained authentic, today in part inexpensive cars all technology and many design features are taken from American models corporations. However, in Europe Opel is perceived very positively. Unfortunately, the Adam model is not yet presented in Russia - small hatchback With great design and a host of proprietary features.

Expensive Opel lineup - completely different moods

If you have more than 1,000,000 rubles to buy a car, you can take a closer look at the expensive offers from Opel. The concern can truly offer exciting opportunities for a quality trip. There is much fewer cars, but the choice still remains quite large. American technology and design features influence the works of German engineers in this class, but here the authenticity and independence of the concern from its owners is more noticeable. Among the most interesting offers from the company’s expensive model range in Russia, we can recall the following models:

Antara- large crossover or full size SUV(according to different classifications), which inspires confidence with its classic design and gives real comfort to the buyer, has modern and confident technology at an affordable cost of 1,110,000 rubles;
Insignia sedan and hatchback - beautiful cars mid-size class, which have become modern competitors the most successful machines in the industry, among positive qualities It is worth highlighting relevance and manufacturability, as well as cost from 1,110,000 rubles;
Insignia Country Tourer- the optimal station wagon for those who want an active and exciting trip, noticeable additions to the design of the base model, special wheels and plastic body protection, many functions of a real SUV, as well as increased ground clearance at a cost of 1,320,000 rubles;
Zafira Tourer - updated big family station wagon, which gives premium space and beautiful technical developments to its owner, as well as excellent performance internal space, the cost of the car does not exceed reasonable limits - 1,040,000 rubles.

These are the unusual opportunities offered by the traditional German manufacturer Opel. The company actually has great potential and can surprise you with its new products. However, the large geographical distribution of enterprises and the presence of a number of problems with constant customs clearance with the European Union makes the Russian market one of the last in line for development for the company. While there is a plant in Kaliningrad with large-scale assembly, we receive fresh Opel models and offers. We invite you to watch a video review of the new Opel Insignia Tourer:

Let's sum it up

Respected in many civilized countries of the world Opel brand Today it finds itself on a rather limited path of development. The brand is closed to other continents, as well as to the very lucrative Chinese market. A company cannot save resources by locating factories or research centers in developing countries. Opel is forced to pay a high price for development in Western Europe, since this is the only market available to the concern. Such restrictions were set by the parent concern General Motors.

However, we see active development corporations, a change in the design features of transport and a number of other features that allow the brand to advance. The company does not strive to take precedence in certain markets, but it receives its sales in full. After all, Opel really offers good cars By excellent value, which is quite enough to stay afloat in today’s difficult and competitive market. What are your thoughts on Opel's current model offering?

New car Opel golf class Astra debuted in 1991, replacing the Kadett E model. Buyers were offered versions with three- and five-door hatchback, sedan, station wagon and convertible, the development and small-scale production of which was carried out by Italian company Bertone. The choice of engines was also wide: petrol 1.4 (60–90 hp), 1.6 (71–101 hp), 1.8 (90–116 hp), as well as a diesel engine with a volume of 1.7 liters and power from 57 to 82 l. With. “Hot” versions of the car were called Astra GSi, they were equipped with gasoline engines 1.8 and 2.0, developing from 125 to 150 hp. With.

This model was produced in Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, South Africa, Poland, China, and India. In the British market it was known under the Vauxhall brand, in Australia - as the Holden Astra, in South America - as and in South Africa - also under the name Opel Kadett. In 1998, sales of the first generation Astra on major European markets were discontinued due to the emergence new car(the convertible was produced until 2000), but for another four years, under the name Opel Astra Classic, the car was assembled at the company’s Polish plant and sold in Eastern Europe and Turkey.

2nd generation (G), 1998–2004

The second generation of Asters began to be offered to customers in 1998. The list of body types was replenished with a two-door coupe, which, like the convertible, was produced in Italy at the Bertone factory. The range has become even wider power units. Now the base Opel Astra was equipped with a 1.2-liter engine producing 65–75 hp. s., other versions - 1.4 (90 hp), 1.6 (75–103 hp), 1.8 (116–125 hp), 2.0 (136 hp) and 2.2 (147 hp). ) Diesel engines had a volume of 1.7 or 2.0 liters and power from 68 to 125 liters. With. A two-liter turbocharged petrol engine developing 190 hp. s., installed only on the coupe.

In 1999 in model range a “charged” three-door appeared Opel hatchback Astra OPC, equipped with a 160-horsepower “aspirated” engine with a volume of two liters. And in 2002, with the OPC nameplate, they began to offer not only three-door, but also five-door hatchbacks, station wagons, coupes and convertibles, under the hood of which there was already a turbocharged two-liter engine with a capacity of 192–200 hp. With.

In Western Europe, the second generation Astra was produced until 2004; until 2009, sedans continued to be produced under the name Astra Classic in Poland. In Latin American countries, the model was offered until 2011 as, and in 2004–2008 in Togliatti, at the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture, they made an Astra with a sedan body called.

3rd generation (H), 2004–2014

The third generation Opel Astra was introduced in 2004. The car has three- and five-door hatchback, sedan and station wagon versions, and in 2006 a convertible coupe was created on its basis. Despite the appearance of new generation cars in 2009, this version is still in production. On the Russian market it is sold under the name.

4th generation (J), 2009–2016

The Opel Astra is offered in five-door hatchback, station wagon and sedan body styles. The vehicles are equipped with petrol and diesel engines. At the end of 2015, the Opel brand will leave the Russian market, and sales Astra models will be completed.

Five-door hatchback Opel Astra

Prices for the five-door Opel Astra hatchback with a 1.6 engine (115 hp) start at 691,000 rubles. In the list of equipment initial configuration Active has four airbags, stabilization system, air conditioning, CD/MP3 audio system, heated front seats, front electric windows, electric mirrors. A car with rear electric windows, a more “advanced” radio and on-board computer. Cosmo version (dual-zone climate control, heated leather steering wheel, rear view camera, cruise control, alloy wheels, fog lights) is estimated at 760,000 rubles. For a six-speed automatic transmission, available in the Active and Cosmo versions, you will have to pay an additional 40 thousand rubles.

The Opel Astra, equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine with a power of 140 horsepower, is offered only with an automatic transmission at a price of 774,000 rubles for the Active version. A car in the Cosmo configuration costs 843,000 rubles.

The most powerful five-door Astra with a 1.6 turbocharged engine (170 hp) and an automatic transmission in the Cosmo version is offered at a price of 989,000 rubles.

Opel Astra sedan

The sedan is offered in the same trim levels and with the same set of powertrains, and in the same trim levels as the hatchback.

A car with a 1.6 engine (115 hp) costs from 829,900 rubles, with a 1.4-liter turbo engine producing 140 hp. With. and “automatic” - from 744,000 rubles. Version 1.6 Turbo (170 hp) is also equipped only with automatic transmission gears and is offered at a price of 1,004,000 rubles.

Opel Astra Sports Tourer station wagon

Station wagon Opel Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 (115 hp) in basic configuration Enjoy costs 817,000 rubles. The Cosmo version will cost 1,367,000 rubles. A car with a 1.4-liter turbo engine (140 hp) is estimated at at least 920,000 rubles, and the base version for it is the Enjoy package. For this version, as for cars with a 115-horsepower engine, you can order an “automatic” for an additional payment of 40 thousand rubles.

Prices for the 1.6 Turbo modification (170 horsepower), which is offered only with an automatic transmission, start at 1,203,000 rubles. A station wagon with a two-liter turbodiesel (130 hp) and an automatic transmission will cost 1,223,000 rubles.

Hatchback Opel Astra J fourth generation debuted in 2009. Five-door hatchbacks and sedans for Russian market are issued according to full cycle"at the plant in St. Petersburg, station wagons and three-doors - using the "screwdriver" method at the Kaliningrad "Avtotor".

Opel is a German car manufacturer, part of the General Motors group. The company was founded in 1863 and first produced sewing machines, and in 1899 began producing cars.

Let's go outside the plant in the German city of Rüsselsheim and see how Opel cars are assembled. At the same time, we’ll find out where the saying “Every car someday becomes an Opel” comes from.

Photos by Dmitry Chistoprudov

I am a car designer by training. In our country the profession is not in demand. We studied at MSUT "MAMI" on Semenovskaya. There were only 35 of us for the entire course, of whom 20 graduated. Of these twenty, only a few turned out to be smart designers, and I don’t consider myself one of them. Everyone has scattered in different directions: into architecture, into managers, into designers, into photographers and into the Euroset... But none of us works in the domestic auto industry. Ivan Babich, for example, is now developing yachts in Monaco. And only Andrey Gusev works in his profession - in the Opel design bureau in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

I went to visit my old friend and walked around the workshops of the plant where Opel cars - Insignia and Astra - are assembled.

The Opel plant is a city-forming enterprise in Rüsselsheim. The headquarters of Opel Haus are located here. Many people mistakenly believe that Opel’s slogan translates as “We love cars,” but the correct translation is “We live by cars.”

At first I thought that these were demonstration electric vehicles, but it turned out that they were working - senior management travels on Amperes, which are charged during the day near the entrance to the building. I've been thinking about riding Ampere around Europe for a long time. Such cars are not supplied to Russia, since there is no necessary infrastructure, and our brains are not yet ready to take care of the environment, as they do in Europe or the USA.

The building itself is equipped with a sophisticated climate control system that automatically opens and closes the windows and adjusts the tilt of the blinds, which saves energy on heating and air conditioning.

Part of the office electricity is generated by solar panels.

Before walking around the plant, we went to the Visualization Room. This room is used for various presentations, project meetings and virtual model discussions.

A life-size image of the car is projected on a special screen the size of the entire wall, which simplifies the perception and assessment of the object in the initial stages of development:

Negotiations are also underway here with other GM studios around the world (USA, Korea, Australia, Brazil) - it’s like Skype, only not in front of a computer, but in a movie theater. It is in this room that decisions are made about which model will or will not go into mass production.

In 1863, Adam Opel opened a sewing machine factory in Rüsselsheim, now one of the largest and oldest automobile factories in the world. It employs 16,000 people and produces 180,000 cars annually.

The largest stamping (forging) shop. When the presses are running, the floor shakes a little, like during a small earthquake. They look like rolls of paper, but in reality they are steel sheets for body parts:

Thicker sheets are supplied on pallets. After World War II, there was a shortage of metal, and scrap metal melted from old cars was used to produce Opel cars. This is where the saying “Every car becomes an Opel someday” comes from.

Stamping presses:

There is German order all around the plant. The technical passage is divided into three parts - for carts carrying dies for presses (orange structure on the left), an area for the movement of forklifts and other equipment, and a path for cyclists and pedestrians:

Huge dies that are installed in presses for stamping various bodies and elements. Hundreds of matrices are dispersed throughout the workshop area. All of them are marked in different colors according to their car model:

In the stamping shop, people perform only the quality control function:

The presses work loudly and quickly. They are not waiting for any photographers trying to take a sharp shot:

This machine produces up to twenty small shapes per minute:

Such a machine costs 40 million euros. In one operation, he stamps the side of the car. The press weighs 6,500 tons:

Finished parts are sent for welding and painting:

Stand with reference samples. Several parts are randomly selected from each batch and compared with the standard:

Here in Rüsselsheim they make blanks for all models, which are then sent to other factories, including Russia.

Welding shop works in two shifts. Each shift employs 200 people:

700 robots work on welding and body assembly, each of which costs 100,000 euros. Production is 98% automated. The bare body weighs 400 kg, and painting takes 8 kg of paint and varnish. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to film the painting process.

The assembly shop employs 2,000 workers in two shifts. They work in groups of 5 people. In this workshop there is a special time cycle of 65 seconds. In 65 seconds, a worker must complete a certain stage of work. If he does not have time, the conveyor stops. There are special ropes everywhere; when you pull them, the conveyor stops and music starts playing. Each team has its own melody, according to which the foreman determines who has a problem and helps to solve it faster:

In total, up to 40 types of motors are supplied to the conveyor:

I used to be sure that there was, say, a sedan with a 1.6 engine, automatic. The line works for several months, then it is changed and other cars are produced. And in Opel, different cars of different configurations and configurations are assembled simultaneously on one conveyor line, one after another. The computer makes sure that every engine, every body part, finds exactly its car. For me this was the discovery of the day. You can produce up to 9 different car models on one conveyor!

If you really want, you can come to the factory and see how your car is assembled.

All cars undergo a series of tests for body tightness, handling, braking, and operation of basic elements.

A railway line runs right through the plant's territory:

New Astra GTC:

And this is the first Opel car. The history of the brand began 150 years ago with the production of sewing machines:

In the museum cars from different eras are presented. The museum itself is more like a workshop. It is constantly working on the restoration of exhibits. The space does not allow for all the exhibits to be placed, so more than half of the collection is stored in storage rooms. In a few years the museum will move to new premises: