Founded in 1966, the Opel plant in Kaiserslautern can look back on over forty years of history in the Western Palatinate. In the early days, the plant concentrated on the production of vehicle components. Further components were added to the range with the commissioning of what was then Europe’s largest transfer press in 1976. Since 1980, also engines are being manufactured in Kaiserslautern. The new diesel engine production began in 2005, the one millionth diesel engine was produced in february 2013.
The opening of a new welding plant, the introduction of the flexible welding cell concept and the modernisation of the press shop in recent years have made the plant state of the art and developed it into a competence centre for press shops, chassis components (front struts, front and rear axles), engine production and body components (aluminium hoods, cross car beams and structural parts). The Kaiserslautern plant is now the centre for component production in the European Opel/Vauxhall production network. Components and engines from Kaiserslautern are sent to Opel/Vauxhall vehicle plants all over Europe. The 2.0 litre diesel engine series is currently being built in engine production. The highlight is the 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI. In the Opel Insignia, this engine develops 143 kW/195 hp and 400 Newton metres of torque; at fuel consumption of just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres (129 g/km CO2). With this, the Insignia is one of the lowest-consumption mid-range cars on the market.
Alongside body and chassis components for the Astra, Corsa, Meriva, Zafira and Insignia, the plant began production of body parts and the front axle for the new Opel small car ADAM in the second half of 2012. The three-door, four-seat car was introduced to the market in early 2013.
It is not only with its products that the Opel plant in Kaiserslautern offers impressive top quality. The plant is also a leader in employee training, health&safety and constant process optimisation. This also includes qualified apprenticeships for young people. 149 apprentices receive training in six technical and two commercial professions. And one true highlight about Opel’s Kaiserslautern plant: all apprentices who complete their apprenticeship successfully are then employed by the company.

Adress
Plant manager
Elvira TölkesYear of establishment
1966Employees
2500Business activity
Production of vehicle components and engines