The next step for Opel was the resumption of passenger car production. But occupation regulations restricted German civilians to cars of 1. Under Dr. Ing e. Karl Stief, who had been chief engineer at Opel since , useful changes were made to this tough little car.
The Dubonnet front suspension was replaced by a conventional coil-and-wishbone layout and the steering was correspondingly rearranged. Announced in November , production of the post-war Olympia, with austere painted hubcaps, began in December and allowed a modest return to export sales in that year. On their return they submitted a report, on March 26, recommending that General Motors resume control of Opel.
Such executives as Alfred P. Sloan Jr. Credit facilities should be available. We should have complete freedom in personnel policies and administration. The products produced by Adam Opel AG should be solely within the jurisdiction of management, and if prices had to be approved by government authority, a reasonable return on the capital should be allowed.
Many, many details still had to be worked out, both within GM and in the U. Edward W. Zdunek, formerly regional manager for Europe of General Motors Overseas Operations Division, was named managing director. The appointment of Zdunek to this post was a move of special significance. An experienced motor industry executive, he reportedly was most respected by those, who worked for him.
Ed Zdunek was regarded as the perfect choice to guide Opel through this difficult environment of postwar Germany. He continued in that critical position until Front and rear fenders were elongated and a heavy horizontal chrome grille was added. A retrograde step was the replacement of the four-speed gearbox with a three-speed unit, with a column shift lever.
The cabrio-coach model was returned to the Olympia range and a kombi was also offered, built by Karosserie Miesen. In February , in preparation for the first postwar automobile show in Germany, the Olympia was dressed up further with a trunk compartment that enclosed the spare tire and inch 38 cm wheels instead of inch 41 cm wheels and tires. With minor further changes, this model lasted to March Bigger changes were saved for March , to anticipate the opening of the doors of the Frankfurt show on April 19 for an day run.
Its earlier fast-back style was modified to a mild notch-back contour, and a new horizontal grille — not the prettiest in Opel history — dominated the frontal view.
With a higher compression ratio still only 6. Output increased to 60 bhp 45 kW; 61 PS during the further life of this model, which ended in July This was a position that was not unfamiliar to both GM and Opel, and one in which it did amazingly well. In , output rose above , units for the first time since the war, and in , when the sprawling plant by the Main River was considered completely rebuilt, 24, were employed at Adam Opel AG and , vehicles were built—an all-time high.
Opel actually fully recovered from the consequences of the postwar era. The deal was later called off. With ongoing restructuring plans Opel announced the closure of its Antwerp plant in Belgium. One billion of that is designated solely for the development of innovative and fuel-saving engines and transmissions. Audi history, profile and history video Audi has been majority owned by Volkswagen for more than 40 years.
The Audi brand produced 1. Audi announced plans in to build The company operates its business through the following segments BYD Co. The company also manufactures and sells automobiles and related pro The first car to roll out of the factory after the war was the Blitz truck, and then, much later, passenger car production resumed with the Olympia. The factories weren't fully repaired until when Opel managed to produce its 2 millionth car.
Running at full capacity Opel opened up a new plant at Bochum where a new model, the Kadett, rolled out, marking a whole era for the German manufacturer. Next, the line up was diversified to include something for the sports car afficionados, the GT. Having made these changes, Opel retained its title as biggest car manufacturer in Germany in What followed next could easily be interpreted as Opel's attempt to take over the world. As Vectra, the most successful model is launched in , Opel introduces catalytic converters on all its cars.
A year later the sporty Calibra is premiered, while the brand has already made 25 million cars since it first started out. The Frontera and later the Monterey will be Opel's offroad vehicles launched one year apart, starting with In , Opel begins production of the Agila, a microvan, the first of its kind in Germany.
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