Opel Cars
Euro · 8 models
Opel: Germany's People's Car Since 1899
EuroOpel is a German mainstream automaker sold as Vauxhall in the UK and Ireland, now part of Stellantis after decades under General Motors.
Opel models we cover
Opel traces its roots to 1862 as a sewing machine maker before pivoting to bicycles and then automobiles at the dawn of the 20th century. By the mid 1900s Opel had become Germany's largest carmaker, known for durable, sensibly engineered family cars sold at accessible prices. General Motors acquired a majority stake in 1929 and full ownership by 1931, running Opel as its European engineering arm for nearly 90 years and sharing platforms with Vauxhall in Britain, Holden in Australia, and various Chevrolet and Buick models worldwide.
Through the postwar decades Opel built its reputation on nameplates like the Kadett, Ascona, and Manta, competing directly with Volkswagen and Ford across Europe's largest car market. The Kadett evolved into the Astra in 1991, while the Vectra carried the midsize torch through the 1990s and 2000s before giving way to the Insignia. Opel's UK-market twin, Vauxhall, used different badges and trim names on largely identical underpinnings, a dual-branding arrangement that persisted even after Stellantis took over.
In 2017 GM sold Opel and Vauxhall to PSA Group (Peugeot maker), which later merged into Stellantis in 2021. Under new ownership Opel has leaned into electrification, offering electric versions of the Corsa and Mokka and plug-in hybrids across the Astra and Grandland lines, while retaining its lightning-bolt logo and reputation as a value-focused, high-volume European brand.
Frequently asked questions about Opel
Is Opel the same as Vauxhall?
Yes. Opel and Vauxhall are sister brands selling nearly identical vehicles under different names, Opel across mainland Europe and Vauxhall in the UK and Ireland, a dual-branding practice that dates back to their shared General Motors ownership.
Who owns Opel today?
Opel is owned by Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed in 2021 from the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler. PSA had purchased Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors in 2017.
Did General Motors used to own Opel?
Yes. GM took a majority stake in Opel in 1929 and full ownership in 1931, using it as its primary European engineering and manufacturing arm for nearly nine decades until selling it to PSA Group in 2017.
What is Opel's most famous model?
The Opel Astra and its Kadett predecessor are Opel's longest-running and most recognizable nameplates, while the Corsa is consistently one of Europe's best-selling small cars.
Does Opel make electric cars?
Yes. Opel offers fully electric versions of the Corsa and Mokka, plus plug-in hybrid variants of the Astra and Grandland, as part of Stellantis's broader electrification push.
