Opel Marketcap, Revenue, Net Worth, Competitors 2025

Key Stats

Opel stands as one of Europe’s oldest and most established automakers, with roots tracing back to 1862 when Adam Opel founded the company in Rüsselsheim, Germany. What began as a sewing machine manufacturer evolved into a bicycle production powerhouse before transitioning to automobile manufacturing in 1899.

The company’s journey spans over 160 years, marked by innovation and adaptation. From pioneering assembly line production in Germany to becoming a subsidiary of General Motors for nearly 90 years, Opel has consistently shaped the European automotive landscape.

Today, as part of the Stellantis automotive group, Opel operates 10 vehicle and powertrain plants across six countries. The brand maintains its strong German identity while embracing electrification, becoming the first German manufacturer to offer fully electric versions across its entire model lineup.

Opel History

Early Beginnings and Sewing Machines

The Opel story began on January 21, 1862, when Adam Opel established his business in a modest cowshed in Rüsselsheim. Initially focused on manufacturing sewing machines, Opel’s enterprise grew rapidly due to his attention to quality and customization. By 1868, success enabled the construction of a new two-story factory near the railroad station, replacing the cramped cowshed.

Adam married Sophie Scheller, whose substantial dowry helped expand operations. The introduction of the Sophia sewing machine model in 1870, named after his wife, demonstrated the personal touch that characterized early Opel products. By 1899, the company had produced over half a million sewing machines.

Transition to Bicycles

During a trip to Paris in 1884, Adam Opel encountered the penny-farthing bicycle, sparking interest in this emerging mode of transportation. Despite initial reluctance after a disastrous first attempt to ride one, commercial opportunity and pressure from his five sons convinced him to enter bicycle production.

The company officially launched bicycle manufacturing in 1886. By 1888, production shifted to modern low-wheel bicycles, and sales reached 2,200 units by 1890. The Opel sons became effective brand ambassadors, winning over 550 bicycle races and establishing Opel as a trusted name in cycling. During the 1920s, the company became the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, producing one bicycle every seven seconds at peak capacity.

Automobile Era Begins

Adam Opel never witnessed the automobiles bearing his name. He died in 1895, leaving the business to his widow Sophie and their five sons. The transition to automobile manufacturing began in 1899 when Sophie and her eldest sons partnered with Friedrich Lutzmann, a court locksmith from Dessau who had experience building motor vehicles.

On January 21, 1899, Wilhelm Opel signed a contract purchasing Lutzmann’s entire operation for 116,887 marks. The acquisition included machinery, employees, and valuable automotive expertise. The first Opel automobile, the Patent-Motorwagen System Lutzmann, featured a one-cylinder rear engine and maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

Early automotive ventures proved challenging. The Lutzmann partnership dissolved after two years, followed by a licensing agreement with French manufacturer Darracq. By 1902, Opel displayed its own designs at the Hamburg Motor Show, beginning true independent production in 1906.

Growth and General Motors Acquisition

The 1909 introduction of the Doktorwagen marked Opel’s entry into affordable motoring. Priced at 3,950 marks, this reliable vehicle attracted physicians and professionals. A devastating fire destroyed the factory in 1911, but reconstruction brought modern machinery that positioned Opel as Germany’s largest automobile manufacturer by 1914.

The 1920s brought revolutionary changes. Opel became the first German manufacturer to implement assembly line production in 1923, introducing the Laubfrosch model. By 1928, Opel held a 37.5 percent market share in Germany and led automobile exports.

In March 1929, General Motors purchased 80 percent of Opel for approximately $26 million, acquiring full ownership by 1931. The Opel family received $33.3 million from these transactions. Under GM ownership, Opel introduced groundbreaking innovations, including the Olympia in 1935, featuring the first mass-production unibody steel construction.

Post-War Recovery and Modern Era

World War II devastated Opel facilities. The Brandenburg truck plant fell into Soviet hands and was dismantled, while 47 percent of Rüsselsheim buildings lay in ruins. Former employees began reconstruction immediately after war’s end, producing the first postwar Blitz truck on July 15, 1946.

Passenger car production resumed with the Olympia in December 1948, followed by the Kapitän in October 1948. GM initially hesitated to resume control, but on November 1, 1948, officially resumed management. Under Edward Zdunek’s leadership, Opel recovered remarkably, surpassing 100,000 annual units by 1953 and reaching 167,650 vehicles by 1954.

The company continued innovating throughout the following decades. The first turbocharged Opel appeared in 1984 with the Rekord 2.3 TD. However, financial pressures mounted during the 2008 global crisis, leading GM to nearly sell Opel to Magna Group in 2009 before canceling the deal.

Opel Co-founders

Adam Opel

Born on May 9, 1837, in Rüsselsheim to Wilhelm Opel, a locksmith, Adam demonstrated entrepreneurial vision from an early age. After apprenticing with his father, he traveled through Belgium and France, where exposure to Parisian sewing machine technology inspired his business venture.

Returning to Rüsselsheim in 1862, Adam established his workshop in his uncle’s unused cowshed. His success stemmed from producing perfectly customized sewing machines that met specific customer needs. Beyond business acumen, Adam showed remarkable foresight in diversifying into bicycles despite personal reservations, recognizing commercial potential even after his own unsuccessful riding attempt.

Sophie Opel and the Five Sons

Adam married Sophie Scheller in 1868, forming a partnership that proved crucial to company growth. Sophie’s dowry enabled significant factory expansion, and her business judgment proved invaluable after Adam’s death in 1895.

The five sons, Carl, Wilhelm, Heinrich, Friedrich, and Ludwig, transformed their father’s vision into an automotive empire. Each contributed unique strengths to the business. Carl studied British bicycle manufacturing, Wilhelm negotiated the crucial Lutzmann acquisition, and together they navigated the transition from sewing machines and bicycles to automobiles. Following Adam’s death, Sophie held primary ownership interest while her eldest sons managed operations, collectively steering Opel into the automotive age.

Who Owns Opel?

Opel’s ownership has changed significantly throughout its history. The company became part of the Stellantis automotive group on January 16, 2021, following the merger of PSA Group with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

This transition marked the end of Opel’s association with PSA Group, which had acquired the brand from General Motors in 2017. GM had owned Opel for 88 years, from 1929 to 2017, making it one of the longest-running automotive ownership relationships in history.

Under Stellantis ownership, Opel operates alongside 13 other automotive brands including Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Alfa Romeo. The company maintains its German headquarters in Rüsselsheim and continues independent operations while benefiting from Stellantis’s global resources and platform sharing initiatives. Stellantis ranks as the world’s fifth-largest automaker by sales volume.

Opel Acquisitions

PSA Group Acquisition from General Motors

The most significant acquisition in Opel’s history occurred on August 1, 2017, when PSA Group completed its purchase of Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall from General Motors for approximately 2.2 billion euros. This transaction transformed PSA into Europe’s second-largest automaker with a 17 percent market share.

The deal included six assembly plants, five component manufacturing facilities, and the engineering center in Rüsselsheim. PSA absorbed approximately 40,000 employees through this acquisition. GM’s decision followed 16 consecutive years of losses in Europe, totaling over 11.4 billion pounds since 2000.

As part of the transaction, GM paid PSA 3 billion euros to settle transferred pension obligations, while PSA and BNP Paribas jointly acquired GM Financial’s European operations through a 50-50 joint venture. The acquisition aimed to generate annual synergies of 1.7 billion euros by 2026 through economies of scale in purchasing, manufacturing, and research and development.

Stellantis Formation

On January 16, 2021, Opel became part of Stellantis through the merger of PSA Group with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. This 50-50 merger created a mobility giant valued at approximately 38 billion pounds, forming the world’s fourth-largest automaker.

The merger brought Opel into a portfolio of 14 iconic automotive brands, providing access to expanded platforms, technologies, and markets. Stellantis employs approximately 300,000 people globally with manufacturing operations in 30 countries and commercial presence in over 130 markets. The company’s name derives from the Latin verb “stello,” meaning “to brighten with stars.”

Historic Acquisitions by Opel

Throughout its history, Opel made several strategic acquisitions to expand capabilities. The 1899 acquisition of Friedrich Lutzmann’s Anhaltische Motorwagenfabrik for 116,887 marks marked Opel’s entry into automobile manufacturing. This purchase included land, buildings, workshop equipment, employees, and crucial automotive expertise that accelerated Opel’s learning curve by years.

During the early 1900s, Opel entered licensing agreements rather than outright acquisitions, notably partnering with French manufacturer Darracq from 1901 to 1907. These arrangements provided essential technology transfer while Opel developed independent design capabilities, culminating in the company’s first proprietary automobile designs showcased at the 1902 Hamburg Motor Show.

Opel Recent News

Strong 2024 Performance in Germany

Opel reported impressive results for 2024 in its German home market, with nearly 175,000 vehicles registered, representing a 6.4 percent increase compared to 2023. The company’s market share grew to 5.6 percent from 5.3 percent the previous year, according to preliminary internal figures released in January 2025.

Commercial vehicle sales drove significant growth, with Combo, Vivaro, and Movano models achieving over 26,000 units sold, a remarkable 40 percent increase year-over-year. The Astra remained a bestseller, contributing substantially to overall performance alongside the attractive light commercial vehicle portfolio.

New Model Launches and Electrification

In 2024, Opel celebrated 125 years of automotive production while unveiling several new models. The new Grandland made its world premiere and won the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel 2024 award. The brand also introduced the Frontera, an electrified, family-friendly SUV designed to be attainable for broader markets.

The company expanded its electric light commercial vehicle lineup with new versions of the Combo Electric, Vivaro Electric, and Movano Electric, plus the innovative Movano HYDROGEN fuel cell variant. Every Opel model now offers battery-electric options, making it the first German brand to achieve full lineup electrification. Looking ahead to 2025, long-range versions of the Grandland Electric and Frontera Electric will arrive at dealerships, alongside an updated Mokka Electric.

FAQs

When was Opel founded?

Opel was founded on January 21, 1862, by Adam Opel in Rüsselsheim, Germany, initially as a sewing machine manufacturer before transitioning to automobiles in 1899.

Who currently owns Opel?

Opel is owned by Stellantis, a multinational automotive corporation formed in January 2021 through the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

How many employees does Opel have?

Opel employs approximately 30,000 people across Europe, with operations in 10 vehicle and powertrain plants located in six different European countries.

What was Opel’s first car?

The first Opel automobile was the Patent-Motorwagen System Lutzmann, introduced in 1899, featuring a one-cylinder rear engine with a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

Is Opel still owned by General Motors?

No, General Motors sold Opel to PSA Group in 2017, ending 88 years of ownership. Opel is now part of Stellantis following PSA’s 2021 merger.