When a new factory manager takes over her first vehicle from her own production, it is more than a symbolic moment. For Maike Seeber, who has been factory manager at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim since September, he represents what fascinates her about the automotive industry: the interaction of people, processes and technology – and a vehicle that ultimately rolls off the assembly line. As her new company car, a battery-electric Astra Sports Tourer in Klover Green with a black roof, goes through the finishing and final assembly stages, the 42-year-old is present on the line as often as possible.
“To experience first hand how design, technological innovations, industrial feasibility and the team spirit of the Rüsselsheim team work together – that is something very special,” says Seeber. She is on site as the new Vizor front with illuminated flash is installed as the advanced Intelli seats are installed. The components arrive at the line in a just-in sequence – at exactly the right moment and in the right order. “This is precision work to the point,” she emphasizes.
“We want to show what industrial value creation Made in Germany can achieve.”
– Maike Seeber, Rüsselsheim plant manager –
“Made in Germany”: The new Astra is being built at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim.
Precision in detail: The new plant manager observes the assembly processes of the new Astra in Rüsselsheim.
New design: The new front view is inspired by the latest high-performance study Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo.
New look, proven precision: every assembly handle is perfect.
The new rim design underlines the precise appearance.
What becomes visible on the line also shapes the factory manager’s everyday work. The calendar is tight and the topics are diverse. The focus is on the ramp-up of the new Astra, classic production issues determine everyday life – requirements for the supply chain, material availability and variety of variants. Particularly demanding: the logistics. “Logistics used to be much more stable,” says Seeber. “Today it is one of the most volatile areas anywhere.” Global supply chains, geopolitical risks, long transport routes and unforeseeable events have fundamentally changed requirements. Logistics is no longer just a planning issue, but rather a continuous coordination task – with a high level of responsibility for everyone involved.
Flexible manufacturing and new skills
The Rüsselsheim plant is set up flexibly: vehicles with fully electric drives as well as hybrid and combustion engine models are manufactured here. At the same time, Opel is increasingly focusing on vertical integration, explains Seeber. Work that would previously have been carried out by external service providers now takes place directly in the factory. An example of this is the Battery Shop, where the final assembly of the high-voltage batteries for fully electric vehicles takes place. The Stellantis factory in Mulhouse, where Peugeot vehicles are manufactured, is also supplied from here.
“If the tape is in place, planned meetings are of secondary importance – then the only thing that matters is solving the problem.”
– Maike Seeber –
Maike Seeber’s career is characterized by leadership in industrial structures, primarily in the automotive industry – nationally and internationally.
The 42-year-old has been managing the Stellantis factory in Rüsselsheim, where the Opel Astra and the DS 4 are produced, since September.
Rüsselsheim is not only the traditional home of the Opel brand, but has also been the headquarters of Stellantis’ German headquarters since 2023.
Maike Seeber succeeded Pieter Ruts, who took on a new role in supply planning within the group.
The new Opel Astra and the Astra Sports Tourer celebrated their world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show in early January.
For Maike Seeber it is clear: industrial value creation occurs where production takes place. Mobile work is the exception in the factory – on-site presence is crucial. “You have to be close to the action,” she emphasizes. “If the line is broken or a part is missing, then planned meetings are of secondary importance. Then the only thing that matters is solving the problem.” The fact that she consistently practices this attitude is no coincidence. “I came to Rüsselsheim to take advantage of the opportunity to actively shape the future of production,” says Seeber. For them, the location is an example of what “Made in Germany” has to stand for today: competitive, efficient and technologically leading production under demanding conditions. “Especially because the conditions are challenging, we have to show what is possible here,” she says.
Roots in the Palatinate, experience worldwide
Maike Seeber has spent most of her professional career on the supplier side in the automotive industry. She gained her first insights directly after graduating from high school during an internship at the US supplier Tenneco in Edenkoben in Rhineland-Palatinate – just a few kilometers from her hometown of St. Martin in the Palatinate. She then completed the practical part of a dual business studies course with a focus on logistics and materials management; She studied the theory at the University of Mannheim.
After completing his studies, Seeber took on responsibility in production at an early stage – also internationally. Stations took her to South Africa, the USA and Italy, among others, always close to production and with a focus on processes, efficiency and operational implementation. Further tasks at Tenneco followed, a brief move into medical technology and a return to the automotive industry. In Sindelfingen she managed a Tenneco plant and, as project manager, was responsible for programs for light commercial vehicles.
Over more than two decades, Seeber gained extensive management and industrial experience – predominantly on the supplier side. “I know the other side – that of the supplier – and what is possible and what is not,” she says. “This helps me today to make clear decisions, even under demanding conditions.”
“My job is to set the framework – not to make every decision myself.”
– Maike Seeber –
“With commitment and passion”: Maike Seeber is proud of the Rüsselsheim team.
there was a time change. Adjusting the timing means, for example, redistributing work content and reorganizing teams – always with quality, costs and efficiency in mind. “These are processes that you hardly think about from the outside,” says Seeber. “But they are exactly what determines how stable a plant runs.” Maike Seeber describes her leadership style as cooperative. She relies on empowerment instead of micromanagement. “I want the teams to develop solutions themselves. My job is to set the framework – not to make every decision myself.” Especially in a complex environment, it is crucial to transfer responsibility and create learning spaces.
Young talents in focus
“The Rüsselsheim team is involved with a lot of commitment and passion – they live the change,” says Seeber. Looking to the future, the plant manager emphasizes the importance of young talent. Young employees bring in new skills – for example in the areas of artificial intelligence, 3D printing or process automation. The 3D printer is now used in the factory to create work aids that would previously have been outsourced. “It is all the more important to give young people trust early on and to give them creative freedom,” says Seeber.
In the short term, the focus is clearly on the successful ramp-up of the new Astra. The new addition is also visually evident – with the new Astra colors Klover Green or Contour White, which are now being seen more and more frequently in the halls. “The challenges are diverse,” summarizes Maike Seeber, “but that’s exactly what makes this task so exciting.”
January 2026
Text: Tina Henze, photos: Andreas Liebschner