Presentation of new Opel Astra for chancellor during her official opening tour
Gift: Miniature Astra model color-coordinated with the chancellor’s blazer
Rüsselsheim/Frankfurt. High-ranking Frankfurt Motor Show visitors at the Opel booth: German Chancellor Angela Merkel stopped by during her official opening tour and caught up on the latest premieres presented by the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker. The focus was on the new Astra, and she took time to take a very close look at it.
Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Chief Marketing Officer Tina Müller, Managing Director Purchasing and Supply Chain Katherine Worthen and Vice President GM Quality Europe Elvira Tölkes welcomed the chancellor. Volker Bouffier, the Premiere of the Federal State of Hesse and VDA (German Automotive Industry Association) President Matthias Wissmann were also part of the group of high-profile visitors.
Dr. Neumann presented the chancellor with a miniature Opel Astra model in exactly the same color as her blazer to mark the occasion. Young Opel designers had airbrushed the model in record time behind the scenes. The idea was born after Chancellor Merkel’s last visit to the Opel booth: two years ago, she was delighted with an Opel ADAM on exhibit whose “Berry Red” was the same color as the blazer she had on.
Conversation at the Opel booth focused on the new Astra and on future technologies. Neumann explained to the chancellor that the highly efficient Astra and Opel OnStar are part of the big Opel product and model offensive: “We will launch a total of 29 new cars from 2016 to 2020 – including an electric vehicle and an additional flagship alongside the Opel Insignia.”
Frankfurt Motor Show open to the public
After the official opening by the German chancellor, the Frankfurt Motor Show will be open to the general public as of the weekend. Opel invites visitors to stroll through the over 3,300 m2 large Astra Galaxy (stand D09 in hall 8.0) and will continue to welcome well-known guests in the coming days.
Brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp will kick things off on Saturday, September 19. He will hand over 20,100 euros from the sale of a BVB-ADAM to the charity “Ein Herz for Kinder” (A heart for children). In addition, he will join Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann for the presentation of the new Astra advertising campaign from 11.00 CET. On Sunday, September 20, the team and management of Mainz 05 will join Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group from 11.00 CET to turn the Astra Galaxy into a fan mile. Borussia Dortmund supremo Hans-Joachim Watzke, new Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel and three Borussia players will be interviewed at the booth from 14:00 CET on Thursday, September 24. And on Sunday, September 27, a Bayer 04 Leverkusen delegation led by coach Roger Schmidt and sporting director Rudi Völler will visit the Astra Galaxy from 11:00 CET.
