125 years ago, the Opel family laid the foundation for future success as an automobile manufacturer: On January 21, 1899, Wilhelm Opel, son of the company’s founder Adam Opel, signed a contract with the Dessau master locksmith Friedrich Lutzmann to purchase his motor vehicle factory. The date marks the beginning of an era – previously a successful sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer, Opel ventured into new territory that was unknown to the company at the time.
Opel’s success story began in 1862: Adam Opel assembled his first sewing machine in Rüsselsheim, thereby laying the foundation for the young company. Opel soon developed into one of the largest sewing machine manufacturers in Germany and exported to all of Europe. With the two-wheeler, Opel is building its next successful mainstay. The first penny-farthing was built in Rüsselsheim in 1886, making Opel one of the first bicycle manufacturers in Germany. In the 1920s, Opel – already parallel to the automobile business – became the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer – a success for which the sons of the now deceased company founder were responsible.
The era of Opel automobiles began in 1899 with the Opel Patent-Motorwagen System-Lutzmann. Heinrich Opel is behind the wheel, with Opel foreman Sedlazcek sitting next to him.
They are also the ones who initiate decisive change for the company. Because business figures in the bicycle sector were declining in the 1890s and the Opel brothers were looking for new products. They will find what they are looking for in the new means of transport: the “automobile”. Fritz and Wilhelm Opel visit the first German automobile exhibition in Berlin in September 1897 and meet Friedrich Lutzmann there. The master court locksmith and “Grand Ducal Anhalt Court Car Builder” has been manufacturing motor cars since 1894 and therefore has the experience sought by the Opel brothers. He invites the two of them to his factory in Dessau. Fritz and Wilhelm recognize the potential that Lutzmann offers them for automobile manufacturing.
In the spring of 1899 the first advertising advertisements appeared and announced: “Opel motor cars are the best.”
The Opel sons initiated the change to an automobile company.
The brochure dates from 1899.
While everyone involved initially thought about cooperating, the Opel brothers now made the Dessau native a well-paid purchase offer for the land, building and workshop equipment, in other words: for the entire production. On January 21, 1899, Wilhelm Opel and Friedrich Lutzmann finally signed the contract for a purchase price of 116,887 marks – and the Anhaltische Motorenwagenfabrik became the property of Opel. The entire operation, including employees and machines, is relocated from Dessau to the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim. Friedrich Lutzmann himself also receives a two-year contract as “Operations Manager of the Adam Opel Motor Vehicle Factory”.
Automobile construction begins in Rüsselsheim
By taking over Lutzmann manufacturing and patents, Opel also gains several years of experience in motor vehicle construction. From then on, Lutzmann and selected employees who were transferred from the Rüsselsheim bicycle production facility manufactured motor vehicles under the Opel name in a newly built assembly hall. The first advertising advertisements appeared as early as the spring of 1899 and announced: “Opel motor cars are the best.”
The photo shows the Lutzmann family’s home in Dessau. The ducally awarded master locksmith coat of arms hangs above the entrance.
Friedrich Lutzmann is one of four exhibitors at the first IAA in Berlin in 1897. There he meets Fritz and Wilhelm Opel.
The Opel factory in 1898: In the winter of that year, the machines were moved from Dessau to Rüsselsheim.
To date, more than 75 million Opel vehicles have left factories across Europe. “Just like Opel 125 years ago, we are now at the beginning of a new era: Back then, the company became a pioneer by starting the automobile age. Today, Opel is becoming an electric pioneer that offers people affordable, locally emission-free individual mobility that is also suitable for everyday use,” says Opel CEO Florian Huettl at the beginning of the anniversary year.
2024 is all about the anniversary
125 years after the start of automobile production in Rüsselsheim, Opel drives its customers into the future with zero local emissions, suitable for everyday use and at the same time a lot of driving fun. 2024 will be marked by the big anniversary and Opel’s consistently driven electrification – with events and celebrations as well as innovative, new models. Further information about the anniversary year will follow shortly.
Lutzmann meets Astra: In the anniversary year of 2024, for the first time in Opel’s history, every model will be battery-electric – especially the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, one of the first battery-electric station wagons on the market.
January 2024
Photos: Opel, Opel archive