Opel Has To Go Back To Its Roots

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

Carlo von Opel is in favor of separating the car manufacturer Opel from the parent company GM. "For me it is a mistake that Opel still belongs to GM," said the great-grandson of the company's founder Adam Opel of the Autogazette.

Carlo von Opel thinks nothing of the temporary nationalization of the car manufacturer Opel called for by economic experts. «The state is not suitable as a business leader. In any case, the private sector has to come in, even if the state has to create the framework conditions,”said the great-grandson of the company's founder Adam Opel in an interview with Autogazette.

State is responsible

Carlo von Opel (67), who runs a riding facility in Frankenthal, Hesse, advocates a state guarantee for Opel. «The state is responsible here. Not only for Opel, but also for the jobs at the suppliers."

We are united by tradition

Autogazette: You are a horse breeder and no longer in the automotive business. Besides the name, do you have anything else in common with the car manufacturer Opel?

Carlo von Opel: Even if our family no longer has anything to do with the company economically, we are united by tradition and memories of the successful days of Opel with the company that was founded by my great-grandfather Adam Opel.

Autogazette: Are you very concerned about Opel's future?

Opel: The company is not about to go under, it will continue to exist one way or another. I am concerned, however, about the Opel employees, some of whom have worked for the company for generations and now don't know what will happen next.

Autogazette:Should the federal government grant Opel the desired guarantee in order to secure jobs?

Opel: In any case, the state is responsible here. Not only for Opel, but also for the jobs at the suppliers.

The state is not suitable as a business leader

Autogazette: Economic experts have called for a temporary nationalization of Opel. Can that be a way out of the crisis?

Opel: The state is not suitable as a company leader. In any case, the private sector has to come in, although the state has to create the framework conditions.

Autogazette: Solarworld has already expressed interest in buying Opel this week. Can your family imagine joining Opel again?

Opel: For me, Solarworld's offer was just a PR gag. A company has to get involved that has the means to bring Opel forward. That would be out of the question for our family.

Opel should break away from GM

Autogazette: GM has rejected the sale of Opel, but would not breaking away from the parent company be the best way?

Opel: Definitely. Opel should break away from GM and continue independently. For me it is a mistake that Opel is still part of GM. When a tree becomes too wide, it falls apart and can no longer be protected. That's how I see it at GM. If a corporation is too big, one day it will break up. Opel doesn't have any great export opportunities to the USA and has to transfer its profits to the states.

Autogazette: Who is to blame for the imbalance, exclusively GM?

Opel:I dont know. I only know that after the war, Opel had attractive vehicles on offer with the Admiral, the Captain or the Kadett, which created a good mood. But then they abandoned it and reduced the quality.

Autogazette: So does Opel also suffer from an image problem for you?

Opel: You failed to create a trademark like VW or the Mercedes star …

Autogazette: … Opel has the lightning bolt.

Opel: Yes, but it is not looked after as well as the Stern, for example.

A Hessian no longer feels comfortable there

Autogazette: Do you blame the Opel management for this image problem?

Opel: Of course. The management should have looked after the environment around Rüsselsheim more. In addition, the company has become too Americanized, since they only speak English there. A Hessian no longer feels comfortable when he is afraid that the work will be relocated abroad. Opel has to go back to its roots.

Autogazette: Does Opel have the right models for you?

Opel: I think Opel has good cars on offer. What is lacking is the image and possibly the advertising, which was not as good as that of the competition.

Autogazette: What kind of car do you drive yourself?

Opel:I drive a Vectra?

Autogazette: Are you considering buying a new car?

Opel: Maybe.

Autogazette: Would you buy an Opel?

Opel: Yes, probably an Insignia.

Frank Mertens conducted the interview with Carlo von Opel