 News of December 07, 1999
Page 1 of 4
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50
Millionth Car With Opel Technology: New Omega "Executive" Is Production
Milestone
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| Rüsselsheim, Germany – Dec. 2, 1999- Assembly line workers at Opel's
home plant in Rüsselsheim, Germany, were joined by top executives and politicians today
to greet the 50 millionth car to incorporate Opel technology. To celebrate this landmark
event one hundred years after the first Opel car was built in 1899, Opel Chairman and
Managing Director Robert W. Hendry invited 800 guests to the company's new infotainment
center, Opel Live. Wolfgang Strinz, Opel Management Board member responsible for
Production and Deputy Managing Director, and Rudolf Müller, Chairman of the Opel Works
Council, unveiled the jubilee car, a star-silver Omega "Executive" sedan. |
Opel Omega
Photo: Opel |
| In one hundred years of car-making, around 47 million Opel and
Vauxhall cars were built in Europe. About another 2.2 million cars were produced in South
America and sold as Chevrolets. In Australia, 700,000 cars left the showrooms carrying
Holden badges, while about 100,000 Delta vehicles were sold in South Africa. Looking
ahead, Robert W. Hendry said, "Opel's future depends on the success of the
technologies we are developing for our second century of car-making." He stressed the
importance of building on the strengths that made Opel great in its first hundred years;
strengths like German engineering, a highly motivated workforce and Opel's traditional
brand characteristics: intelligent packaging, dynamic ride and handling, innovative
styling and modern technology - all available to a broad customer base at affordable
prices.
Opel celebrated its first million cars in 1940 with a Kadett. On November 9, 1956, an
Opel Kapitän completed the second million. The car, which is still on show in
Rüsselsheim today, was a one-off with a layer of gold on all the chrome applications.
Only 15 years later, it was an Opel Rekord that had the honor of going down in history as
the company's 10 millionth car. Yet another milestone was reached on May 25, 1983, with a
silver-gray Opel Senator CD. More than sixteen years ago it became the 20 millionth car to
be built using Opel technology.
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Ford
Mustang voted America's favorite car on Kelley Blue Book's web site
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| Irvine, CA, Dec. 3, 1999 - Americans have chosen the Ford Mustang as their
all-time favorite car. The Mustang edged out the Chevy Corvette for top honors. The voting
took place this month on the automotive Web site, Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com people
were able to cast their vote throughout November from a ballot of over 1,200 models of
cars and trucks made since 1950. "This honor is an indication of Mustang's
prominence in American society," said Alex Kim, Mustang brand manager. "The
Mustang continues to endure as one of America's favorite cars and true American
icons." |
1968 Ford Mustang
Photo: Ford |
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Americans have had love affairs with their cars ever since Henry Ford cranked out the
first Model A in 1903. This is especially true in the last half of this century. We all
remember the favorite car we had growing up … sitting on Dad's lap in the driveway,
pretending to drive … that cool convertible that first turned heads in high school.
Then there was the first car we ever owned, that got washed and waxed every week - for
awhile anyway. We remember the drive-ins and double-dates and college road trips. Maybe
now we've graduated to a big SUV or a luxury car full of amenities or maybe it's a truck
that still gets pampered. "It was with that love affair for cars in mind that we
decided Americans should be able to choose their all-time personal favorite," said
Stephen Henson, Kelley Blue Book's marketing chief. "Instead of some board of experts
deciding, we wanted this to be the people's choice, and the response was
overwhelming."
With all those cars to choose from, the most popular proved to be the Ford Mustang,
with the 1965 model the front-runner. The 1965 Mustang originally sold for $2,734; if you
had one today, in excellent condition, the Blue Book value would be $10,500! The Mustang
was tops with both men and women and in every region of the United States. Two other Ford
products made the list, #11 Ford Full Size Pickup and #12 Ford Thunderbird. |
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