The Opel automobile company was established in 1862 in Russelsheim, Germany (Opel International 1). The company has a reputable history in car manufacturing that makes its vehicles one of the most sought after. Adam Opel founded the company and initially dealt in the manufacture of sewing machines and bicycles (Autoevolution 1). He (Adam Opel) bought a car manufacturing company in 1899 from Friedrich Lutzman marking the company's first steps towards the manufacture of automobiles. After the passing on of Adam Opel, his wife and two sons took over ownership of the company and carried on with the production of cars (Opel International 2). The company entered into its first partnership with a French-based carriage marker Darracq in 1902. The partnership showcased its premier model at the Hamburg Motor show in the same year (Auto Evolution 2). The arrangement lasted four years after which Opel company moved on to independently establish an automobile manufacturing plant in 1906. Manufacturing of both cars and sewing machines continued until 1911 when a great fire burnt down the factory. The company was thus forced to draw its operations to a halt for two years. In 1913, Opel resumed operations and focused only on car-making. The company rolled out the first mass-production assembly line in 1924 becoming the biggest car manufacturer in Germany. The first model to be rolled out from the mass production line was the Opel Laubfrosch. Opel vehicles achieved an excellent reputation due to affordable pricing and reliability until 1928 when the management was forced to look for a partnership deal that would see them through the great depression period. In 1929, Opel entered into a partnership with the American based General motors company. The latter bought majority shares from the former but took no part in decisions about designs of the future products (Autoevolution 3). The partnership turned around the fortunes of Opel by making it the biggest car manufacturer in Europe by 1930. The period that followed was marked by tough times for Opel company as a result of the second world war. Operations at the company deteriorated and only recovered after the war ended. Opel was able to manufacture its 2 millionth car in 1956 and has since expanded into the rest of the world market. In 2008, Opel made its intentions clear by taking on seasoned brands such as BMW and Mercedes Benz when it manufactured the luxurious Opel Insignia. The company has earned a place in the list of today’s most prestigious car manufacturing companies in the globe.
The Opel Company's logo has taken several forms over the past. First designs of the logo started with the initials of the founder as a gesture of honor. In 1910, the company developed a logo that resembled a blimp (Car Brand Names 2). The logo took an almond shape that looked like an eye with the company's name written inside the blue color at the center. The figure below shows Opel Company's logo in 1910.
The logo underwent drastic changes in 1964. It featured the symbol of a lightning bolt representing the Blitz Truck that played a central role in the revival of the company after the Second World War (Car Brand Names 3). The term ‘Blitz' is the German word for ‘lightning' hence the use of a lightning bolt symbol. Until now, the company has continued to use the logo on its automobiles. The figure below shows the most current version of the Opel Company's emblem.
The latest model is three-dimensional and adheres to contemporary international graphic standards. The center of the circle is dark thus creating a sharp contrast with the bright bolt image hence making it stand out. The company's name is engraved on the top of the logo. The pointed ends of the bolt symbol inside the circle are sharp and elegant to represent the quality and style of Opel vehicles (Car Brand Names 3)
Works Cited
Autoevolution. "OPEL Models and History - Autoevolution". Autoevolution.Com, 2018, https://www.autoevolution.com/opel/. Accessed 6 June 2018.
Car Brand Names. "Opel Logo, Opel Car Symbol and History | Car Brand Names.Com". Car Brand Names.Com, 2017, http://www.car-brand-names.com/opel-logo/. Accessed 6 June 2018.
Opel International. "Opel Company Information - History and Heritage | Opel International". Http://Www.Opel.Com, 2018, http://www.opel.com/company/history.html. Accessed 6 June 2018.
