28.8.2003
Opel Portugal's plant in Azambuja celebrates 40th anniversary

Inaugurated in 1963 with the building of Bedford trucks, Azambuja is now part of GME's manufacturing network building the Combo for export to 50 countries.

The plant was inaugurated in 1963 and started building Bedford trucks in a 13,000 square meters facility located 45 km north of Lisbon, at a rate of three units per hour which were all for the local market.

Today, Azambuja is part of GM's manufacturing network in Europe and builds the successful Combo model which is exported to 50 countries around the world. Both the passenger (Opel Combo Tour) and the cargo versions are built with Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, or Chevrolet logos and specifications, depending on the destination market.

Over the last 40 years, the Portuguese operation has become a modern plant, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The facilities cover a total area of 350,000 square meters with an annual production capacity of 100,000 units per year. The most recent investment totaled 130 million euro to start the production of the new Combo in 2000.

Opel Portugal plays a key role in the Portuguese automotive industry and employs 1,200 people.