Opel Launches Astra Output in Russelsheim

VIENNA – Volume production of the Opel Astra is under way at Adam Opel’s main plant in Russelsheim, Germany.

Opel invested some E51 million ($73 million) to add output of the fourth-generation Astra 5-door hatchback at the facility.

First Astra rolls off line in Russelsheim.

Russelsheim is expected to reach Astra’s installed capacity of 20 cars an hour in mid-September. In addition, the plant manufactures 40 Insignia cars an hour, building three different body styles of the bigger model.

However, while Russelsheim is in launch mode on the Astra, the General Motors Mfg. Poland plant in Gliwice, Poland, is reducing output of the car.

The Polish factory will suspend production on the next three Fridays – Sept. 2, 9 and 16.

Gliwice, which is Opel’s home plant for the Astra range, manufactures the 5-door hatchback, as well as the previous-generation Astra sedan.

It will start serial production of the new Astra GTC 3-door in mid-October, with a new Astra sedan to follow in April 2012 and a convertible based on the same architecture in 2013.

The Astra 5-door also is produced at the Ellesmere Port, U.K., plant, the sole source of the Astra Sports Tourer wagon.

Current- and previous-generation Astras are assembled in Russia for local sale at the General Motors Avto plant in St. Petersburg and Avtotor factory in Kaliningrad.