Three decades have passed since Opel introduced the first generation of Astra: it was September 1991, and in the frame of the Frankfurt Motor Show the German car manufacturer unveiled this new compact, which was essentially the successor model of the Kadett. Many have wondered why Opel decided to abandon that name and replace it with Astra: a strong choice by the German brand, given that the Kadett name was linked to a model produced in 4 million units and therefore a guarantee of success. Still, Opel was adamant: its successor was to be called Astra.
It all comes from Great Britain, where the Opel brand sells its models under the Vauxhall brand. Is exactly Vauxhall produced in the British country its own version of the German car: the Viva based on Kadett-A / B, the Chevette based on Kadett-C and precisely the Astra based on the Kadett-D / E. Hence the idea of using the name Astra for this type of model at European level. So the name changed, but not the success that this car received: the German car manufacturer could count on 9 production bases for its compact, for a production potential of about 800,000 units per year. The first generation of the model, designed and developed at the Russelsheim Technical Development Center, was designed to offer driving standards previously only available on cars belonging to the upper market segment.
“Opel Astra was immediately produced simultaneously in five European countries – explains the German brand in an official note – At the beginning of the nineties the new Astra was built with the most advanced technologies such as a laser welding system and a new generation of presses designed to ensure maximum respect for the environment. The organization of work on the production lines was based on the concept of teamwork“.
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