29.4.2004
Opel Belgium to produce a fourth Astra-variant from 2006

Opel Belgium's Antwerp plant will produce a fourth Astra variant (next to the Astra 3-doors, 5-doors and station wagon) from 2006.

Opel Belgium's Antwerp plant will produce a fourth Astra variant (next to the Astra 3-doors, 5-doors and station wagon) from 2006. The new model will be a four-seat cabrio-coupé with electro-hydraulic retractable roof.

This new investment is a confirmation of the ultimate model flexibility that the plant has been trying to achieve, and increases its competitive edge. While GM has been very satisfied with the vehicles currently produced by Bertone, the decision was made to build this new vehicle in-house in order to utilize our own capacity more fully.

On January 5, 2004, the Antwerp plant was the first one within GM to start production of the new Opel Astra 5-doors. In August 2004, work will commence on the production of the Astra station wagon and from January 2005, the Astra 3-doors will start rolling off the production line. To handle this substantial production program, the capacity of the press shop was doubled in 2002 (current throughput: 80,000 tones of steel).

Since the commercial launch end of March 2004, more than 80,000 customer orders for the all-new Astra were registered in Europe. Industry observers consider the latest version of the highest-volume Opel among the top quality vehicles in its segment and proof of the product renaissance at GM's European volume brand.

Eddy Geysen, Chairman and Managing Director of Opel Belgium: "In recent years, together with the social partners, we have been working hard on a plan to develop a new, flexible plant within an existing environment. This is due to the commitment of our 5,300 employees, who were instrumental in achieving the significant improvements implemented here. The decision to build a fourth model in this plant is a great expression of the confidence GM has in our capability."

Opel Belgium plans to produce 245,000 Opel Astras this year.