Media Information
March 2010
Heritage
New Opel Movano: Modern-day heir to legendary Opel Blitz
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Opel experience and tradition: 111 years of building commercial vehicles
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Legendary Opel Blitz: symbol of economical and reliable commercial vehicles
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Second Movano generation opens new chapter in Opel’s commercial vehicle history
Rüsselsheim. Although trucks played only a minor role on German roads up to 1914, Opel
has sold commercial vehicles from the very beginning. Even the “Opel Patent Motorwagen,
System Lutzmann of 1899,” the first motorized vehicle produced by the company, already
boasted the necessary genes, as the brochure from the time illustrates. In it, Opel offered a
“Reclame-Wagen” – the first commercial vehicle from Rüsselsheim and originator of what
has become a 111-year history of Opel commercial vehicles. When local press saw it for
the first time, they were obviously impressed. “A colossal motor vehicle,” they wrote.
Excerpt from the 1912 Opel anniversary book: In order to increase uses of the automobile,
the existing system was even fitted out as a luggage carrier and omnibus with eight seats.
Elsewhere the book tells us: This was soon followed by the motorized commercial vehicle
with a two-cylinder engine and, in autumn 1903, a four-cylinder unit. The models in the
range were regarded as particularly reliable, fast and economical “utility vehicles”. These
values still apply to this type of vehicle today and are expressed in a cutting-edge
interpretation by a new generation of the Opel Movano.
Adam Opel GmbH
D-65423 Rüsselsheim
media.opel.com
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1930: the (Opel) Blitz strikes
From 1923, truck development at Opel experienced a major upswing. Low weight, high
payloads and powerful engines gained Opel’s commercial vehicles a reputation as
excellent examples of economic efficiency.
A major coup in 1930 was the Opel Blitz. It owed its “striking” name to an ideas competition
with 1.5 million participants. “Win an Opel! We are looking for a name that we can make
famous all over the world. The new commercial vehicle should set off to conquer the
market in Germany and beyond with a name that identifies it as a German product and
simultaneously expresses its superior quality,” announced Privy Councilor Dr. Wilhelm von
Opel, calling on the public to take part. The name “Blitz”, German for “lightning”, was
chosen.
Even the ancestor of modern Opel commercial vehicles had a lot to offer in terms of
versatility. Two base models with a payload of 1.5 to 2 tonnes, three wheelbases and two
engines fulfilled individual customer requirements. The “Blitz” was so successful that five
years after the start of production, the company built a plant dedicated to commercial
vehicle manufacturing in Brandenburg an der Havel in 1935. It had a capacity of 25,000
vehicles per year. The resumption of operations in the Rüsselsheim parent plant on July
15, 1946 began with production of the Opel Blitz. The first post-war Opel was a 1.5 tonne
Blitz vehicle. With an Opel Kapitän engine, the van established itself as the most important
automotive reconstruction aid after the war – and its successors also made their mark at
an important time in German history: as of 1952 they provided mobility for the German
Wirtschaftswunder, economic miracle.
For 45 years, up to 1975, the legendary Opel commercial vehicle remained in the portfolio
with practically no conceptual changes; more than 420,000 units were built in all. The
name, however, was destined for greater things than just a symbol for fast, economical
commercial vehicles. In 1963 the Blitz lightning bolt became the Opel logo for all models
and henceforth has adorned the passenger vehicles.
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1975: Interlude with the Bedford Blitz
From 1975 the Bedford plant in England was used for the manufacture of commercial
vehicles. So from 1975 to 1987 Opel dealers sold a “Bedford Blitz”. Although it bore the
legendary emblem, it never managed to achieve the outstanding success of its
predecessor.
1999: Movano as the modern-day Opel Blitz
On Opel’s one hundredth anniversary the Blitz idea was revived in a new form: In 1999
Opel launched a new light commercial vehicle generation on the market with the Movano.
Just like its historical predecessor, it was aimed at providing a means of transport which
was economical in every respect – affordable and thrifty, agile and fast, reliable in
everyday operation. The concept proved to be highly flexible with more than forty model
variants based on four base versions, three wheelbases and three roof heights. In addition,
it was as well equipped as most passenger cars at the time.
The Movano also skillfully translated the philosophy of offering a tailor-made concept for
every purpose into the present day. Just as with the Blitz, various providers used it as the
base for numerous special extensions and conversions. And while the ancestor from 1930
was regarded as fast, with a maximum speed of 80 km/h, the Movano with 125 km/h (2.5 D
/ 80 hp) and 143 km/h (2.8 TDI / 115 hp), showed that speed is a relative term – and
efficiency the name of the game. Thus the success of the first Movano generation was
marked by the pragmatic values of the time. More than 167,000 units have been sold
throughout Europe since production started in 1999.
The new edition presented in 2010 is not only comprehensively upgraded and improved, it
also sets new standards in terms of model variety, load capacity and operating costs: ideal
conditions for significantly exceeding the sales volume of its predecessor, and for opening
a new chapter in Opel’s commercial vehicle history.
Contact:
Jörg Schrott
Tel: +49 (0) 6142 7 72279
Mobile: +49 (0) 170 339 6329
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Joerg.schrott@de.opel.com
Text and photos can be downloaded at media.opel.com.