Diversity and equality also develop where they are not suspected immediately: in a curve in the Taunus, when grown into the glove compartment, when looking into the rearview mirror. Namely, when the seat – regardless of gender and height – offers perfect hold, storage compartments are easily accessible and the view of the back is easy. At Opel, the principles that recognize the diversity of society are part of the corporate culture – and are therefore also an essential part of the development work of new models. For the new Opel Grandland, a team of women has set valuable impulses that make the top SUV even more desirable.
The concept of the Women Perspective Panels (WPP) was used for the first time at the Mokka – and has proven itself in all new models, including the Astra, since then. “We bring together colleagues together who reflect as many perspectives and life experiences as possible,” says Nina Thiele, Chair of the Women of Stellantis Germany. Women of different ages and different sizes as well as from a variety of professions are active in the WPP. “From personal experience, the team should give impulses for the newly developed Opel model.”
Colleagues come together in the panel who reflect as many perspectives and life experiences as possible.
From the beginning, the WPP has influenced the new Grandland how the top-of-the-line SUV should roll to customers to start the market. Andrea Ziegler was traveling on the winding streets in Taunus three years ago. Together with colleagues, she compared the Grandland at the time with various competitive vehicles – with the aim of identifying potential for improvement for the development of the successor model. “The feeling of security,” she recalls, “was already unsurpassed in the previous model – just like seating comfort.”
The focus: the practical benefit
In a special workshop on ergonomics and storage space, it was about the optimal use of storage space and about how small people can easily reach all subjects. “Practical benefits are particularly important for women-family, hobbies, everyday life, everything has to find its place,” says Ramona Syska, head of the Grandland Panel. The workshop results flowed directly into the further development. Even more: In a WPP report with central key aspects, the women recorded important key points and shared them with the responsible teams in the vehicle development process. “This so -called key performance index was our guideline: We have compared the current results over the entire process,” explains Ramona Syska.
Helen Biard-Arndt accompanied the development of the new generation of seats in the Grandland.
With high-end seats on board
Helen Biard-Arndt was responsible for making the excellent seats even better for the new Grandland. “We developed from scratch for our top-of-the-line SUV from scratch-with the focus on a particularly ergonomic form,” says Assistant Chief Designer. Three years of research and development-also in cooperation with a university-are in the Intelli-Seats Pro. A special deepening in the middle reduces the pressure on the coccyx and ensures relaxed driving comfort, even on long tours.
In addition, the driver and front passenger seats are equipped for the first time with adjustable side pads: “This ensures a particularly good side stop- regardless of the body size,” explains the Swede. The covers consist of recycled, sustainable fabrics. The seats also offer ventilation and various massage programs. “This further development is the current high-end seat in the Opel portfolio,” emphasizes Helen Biard-Arndt
The key points that the team followed range from quality to ergonomics to practical requirements.
The key points that the Women Perspective Panel has followed in addition to a safe driving experience ranges from quality to ergonomics to practical requirements. This includes high -quality, dirt -resistant materials in the interior and camera systems with cleaning function that improve all -round view. An important point: ergonomics. “People of every height should feel comfortable in the vehicle,” emphasizes Ramona Syska. Last but not least, practical and easily accessible storage compartments – especially in the center console – were at the top of the list, as well as a flexibly usable trunk.
Good all -round view, a pleasant driving behavior – the influence of the WPP is shown in many facets.
Not only the possibility of bringing important impulses into development from a women’s perspective makes working in the WPP so valuable for Mariola Schwarzer. “To be able to immerse yourself deeply into the development work and to expand your own network,” she says, “this is a real asset.” Actually, she is a safety manager and ensures that vehicle modules meet all safety requirements. The work in the WPP enables her to look beyond your own area. A highlight? The styling analysis, in which feedback on aesthetic and functional requirements for the new model were collected. “Here I saw the design of the Grandland for the first time and was thrilled. The illuminated Opel flash in the Vizor, the illuminated lettering at the rear-impressive! ”
Women who love cars
The influence of the Women Perspective Panel on the Opel Grandland is shown in the many requirements that have been transferred to the series. This includes a pleasant feeling of space in all places, the good steering wheel positioning, the high -quality interior quality and the pleasant driving experience. The effective rear space ventilation including seat heating in the rear also contributes to the feel-good ambience in the top SUV. “With our work, we brought important aspects to the new Grandland for women – and all drivers,” says Ramona Syska. Not only the result, the way there is also groundbreaking for the panel manager. “Cooperation in the team was always shaped by empathy and appreciation. The important finding: At Opel there are a lot of highly competent women who connects the love of car. ”
Andrea Ziegler, who was involved in the early comparison trip in Taunus, also comes to a clear judgment after a final test drive in the new Grandland: “The colleagues actually managed to further improve the driving characteristics. And even the already outstanding seating comfort was increased again – impressive. ”
March 2025