The regular production of the new Opel Astra at the Rüsselsheim plant in Germany was officially honored. Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurz welcomed Hessen Prime Minister Volker Buffier, Hessen Economy Minister Tarek Al-Wazir and Rüsselsheim Mayor Udo Bausch at the Rüsselsheim plant to witness the production of the new Opel Astra. To date, about 500 cars have been produced. In the forthcoming months, the new generation of Opel Astra will be a crucial moment in the electrification offensive of the Rüsselsheim-based car brand. The new Opel Astra is expected to arrive at dealerships and customers in the middle of the year. The model will also be available as a plug-in hybrid. In 2023, the all-electric Astra-e will complete the range.

"The new Opel Astra has been designed with love and dedication to the smallest detail. This is the first car I introduced when I took over as CEO of Opel, and I obviously have a special connection to this compact bestseller," said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurz during the event. "Developed, designed and manufactured at our headquarters in Rüsselsheim, this model will give a new start to the brand. I can't wait to see the new Astra in the showrooms of Opel dealers and in the hands of our customers."

"Opel is at home here in Hesse. Many generations have chosen to own and drive Opel, but they are also part of the brand's family, participating in the production and development of the brand. The Rüsselsheim headquarters is an important employer throughout the region. That is why we are especially delighted that the new Astra is coming off the assembly line here in Rüsselsheim. With this, the company strengthens its commitment to the people and the region. For its part, Hessen also ensures that the carmaker has good conditions for production, development, and research. The automotive industry is currently in the process of structural transformation. The Hessen state government will continue to support Opel in tackling this challenge. With the start of production and the transition to electric mobility planned in 2028, "The increased competitiveness of the Rüsselsheim plant ensures that this important and exciting model can be produced here," said Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director of Human Resources. "This production will allow the organization of work in two shifts, and the skills, dedication, and diligence of employees will play a key role in the future success of our new Opel Astra."

"The team has coped well with the many challenges and constraints of the pandemic. We are extremely proud to be Astra's new home - the most modern best-selling car in the compact class, offering exceptional quality," said plant manager Michael Lewald.

The new Opel Astra is a design masterpiece of the brand. The Opel Astra is exceptionally dynamic, with clean, flat surfaces, detoxified by unnecessary elements and carrying the brand's new face - Opel Vizor. Furthermore, Astra clarifies the technology and assistance systems it brings to the compact class. Innovations that customers are only aware of in cars from higher segments. One highlight of the vast portfolio is the latest version of the Intelli-Lux LED Pixel adaptive lighting without glare. The system comes directly from the flagships of the Opel Insignia and Opel Grandland and, with its 168 LED (Light-emitting diode) elements, is a leader in the compact and middle class.

Following the Opel Mokka, Opel Crossland, and Grandland SUVs, the new Astra features the Opel Vizor as its face. Vizor and the latest models' design are inspired by the Opel Compass, where the vertical and horizontal axes - the sharp fold of the hood and the wing-shaped headlights - join in the center with the Opel Blitz emblem. The Vizor, which runs the length of the front, gives the new Astra a larger appearance while incorporating advancements like the ultra-slim Intelli-Lux LED headlights. From the side, the new generation Astra appears to be rather lively, owing to its clean shape and style.

A leap in time is also the interior of the new generation Opel Astra. Analog instruments go down in history with the fully digital Pure Panel cockpit. In their place, the latest human-machine interface (HMI) with fresh, modern graphics offers customers a cleaner, more intuitive experience. Control is via an extensive touch screen. In addition, important settings such as climate control can still be selected directly via just a few switches. Never before has Opel been as intuitive and easy to drive as the new Astra.

Exceptional seating comfort in the new compact model is also standard on Opel cars. The front seats developed by the team are certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken eV), meeting high ergonomic standards, making it a pleasure to drive long distances. In addition, the Opel Astra driver is supported by state-of-the-art assistance systems, such as a head-up display and a 360-degree view called Intelli-Vision.