When Adam Opel founded Opel in Rüsselsheim 160 years ago, he laid the foundations of a company active in different sectors internationally. Having started to manufacture sewing machines in 1862, Opel became the world's largest bicycle manufacturer and then an internationally renowned automobile brand. The brand integrates the innovations of its era and modern German technologies into its products, making it accessible to everyone.
The philosophy of “Made by Opel” makes all the products of the brand different and this philosophy is still valid today. Opel is fully committed to electrification by 2022. In this context, the German brand is preparing a wide range of models with different electric power transmission variants for the future.
After staying in Liège, Brussels and London, she made the crucial decision to enter the sewing machine business. Adam returned to his hometown of Rüsselsheim in August 1862, at the age of 25, and set up his own humble workshop in his family's home. She went against her father's wishes, who had no interest in sewing machines. In cosmopolitan cities zamReturning to his birthplace after spending a moment meant a big change and change for the young master. But Adam lays the foundations of the global Opel company here. zamin the current village of Rüsselsheim with a population of 2 thousand.
First steps of “Trusted Brand” Opel
Hummel, a master tailor in Rüsselsheim, bought the first sewing machine and used the same machine for 40 years. HE zamEven at that moment, the brand's motto was “Opel, reliable”. Adam Opel built his first own manufacturing facility in his uncle's disused barn in 1863. In the following years, the sewing machine business flourished and Opel grew.
In 1868 he built a new factory building with a two-story production hall, a steam engine, and a residential and office building. When it moved, 40 people were working in the company. In the same year, he married his wife, Sophie, who took care of not only the housework but also the accounting of the company. Opel's production figures increased rapidly as it fulfilled individual requests and designed special sewing machines for specific requirements. The factory produced 1886 machines in 18. The company became one of Germany's largest sewing machine manufacturers and began exporting products to Europe.
1887: A journey from sewing machines to bicycles
Industrialization offered more job opportunities to the Opel family in the 1880s. Adam Opel was introduced to the high-wheeled bicycle on a trip to Paris in 1884. The bicycle was already a common mode of transport in the French capital. The autumn of 1887 marked the official beginning of a new era in company history.
As with sewing machines before, Opel was quick to adopt modern technology in its bicycles. In 1888, the high-wheel bicycle, which marked the beginning of bicycle production in Rüsselsheim, was replaced by the modern small-wheeled bicycle.
By 1890, 2 two-wheelers were sold. Adam and Sophie's five sons have become top ambassadors for their cause, with over 200 victories in bike races. In the 550s, Opel became the world's largest bicycle manufacturer. That year, 1920 thousand bicycle dealers sold Opel brand bicycles produced in Rüsselsheim. With the commissioning of the assembly line in 15, a bicycle began to be produced from the production line every seven seconds.
1899: Opel begins to manufacture cars
After Adam Opel died in 1895, his five sons took the decisive step in the company's history to further the company, and in 1899 he started automobile production. Opel quickly became one of the pioneers of the industry. Currently, it is one of the richest and most well-established automobile manufacturers in the world in terms of tradition.
The German brand bought “Anhaltische Motorwagenfabrik” in Dessau from Friedrich Lutzmann on 21 January 1899. In the same year, it started to produce cars in Rüsselsheim with the “Patent-Motorwagen System Lutzmann”. In 1906, the thousandth vehicle was produced. The company was appointed to the imperial court the following year, thus making its next breakthrough. However, Opel made its real breakthrough in 1909 with the small 4/8 hp “Doktorwagen” and played a role in popularizing the car.
Modern, innovative and accessible models for everyone
Opel became a brand that set the trends in the following years. Comfort, safety and the latest technologies zammoment became the priority of the brand. In this process, the brand continued to develop without compromising its basic philosophy of making transportation accessible to everyone. Adam Opel pleased its customers with the sewing machines it first produced 160 years ago. Today, Opel offers modern and innovative transportation solutions to its customers in the market.
The brand has different electric vehicle solutions today. Apart from bestsellers such as the Opel Corsa and Mokka, the light commercial trio Combo, Vivaro and Movano also have an electric version. Hybrid versions of the Opel Grandland and Opel Astra models are available in the product family. Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen completes the brand's electric models. Young drivers aged 15 and over can start their electric transportation journey already thanks to the Opel Rocks-e, which is in the status of a two-seater quad bike.
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