Already in the early morning, the paths between the press plant, test drives and classic cars fill up. Families push prams across the factory premises, former employees meet former colleagues again, Opel fans photograph rare vehicles. Thousands of visitors took the opportunity to take a look behind the factory gates of Opel Kaiserslautern. After all, 60 years of Opel in Kaiserslautern are more than an anniversary. They stand for six decades of industrial history in the region – and for a location that has developed into a central hub in Stellantis‘ global production network in recent years.

When walking through the halls and across the grounds, people encounter vehicles from six decades of Opel history, take a look at the latest models or get directly into a new Opel Astra for a test drive. The Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept car is also on display. Particularly impressive: Part of the production is running in the press plant and in the welding area. In this way, visitors can experience live how modern production works.

The fact that Kaiserslautern is a key location today is visible in many places. Around 2.8 million Stellantis vehicles were built worldwide last year alone with components from the Palatinate. Since 2016, the site has developed from a classic engine plant into a modern component plant that today manufactures around 400 different components for 30 vehicle models and seven brands.

But as impressive as the machines, presses and production figures may be, this day is all about the people. “It’s the people who make everything happen,” says plant director Bilyana Stern. She has been at the helm of the site for a year and a half. What particularly impresses her is the cohesion, the high level of commitment and the willingness to adapt to changes again and again.

Opel CEO and Stellantis Germany Managing Director Florian Huettl also appreciates the performance of the workforce. Despite high capacity utilisation and far-reaching changes in the automotive industry, Kaiserslautern has developed successfully. Teamwork, commitment and clear goal orientation are the basis of this success.

Among the guests of honour are the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Ebling, IG Metall Chairwoman Christiane Benner, Mayor Beate Kimmel and District Administrator Ralf Leßmeister. Ebling sums up the special connection between the plant and the region: “People are at home here because generations of families feel connected to this plant.” This is exactly the feeling that can be seen everywhere on the premises.

The longest queue in K19

Michael Merz, Sassa Haydn and Fabio Dienes don’t just want to let visitors watch. So they set up a hands-on station in K19 next to the laser cell. Key rings, leather model cars and small racing cars are created there. The three did not expect the rush. Throughout the day, the queue does not get any shorter. In the end, everyone is exhausted – and happy. Their idea hit the mark.

The debut at the plant

Almost 200 competitive games, promotion to the Bundesliga in 2010 and cult status on the Betzenberg: Florian Dick is one of the most famous faces of 1. FC Kaiserslautern. The crowd at his autograph session is correspondingly large. “Some of my friends work at Opel, but this is actually my first time at the plant,” says the former professional. Of course, he does not miss the subsequent factory tour with Bilyana Stern.

Number 401651

Günther Korn signed his employment contract on 28 March 1965. He still knows the number of his company ID card by heart: 401651. The now 80-year-old started in the small press plant and later worked at K19. He has witnessed the history of the site over decades. Of course, he returned by for the anniversary – and also takes a look at the latest models. He is particularly fond of the new Frontera. Privately, Korn has driven 28 Opel models so far. His personal favourite, however, remains a Calibra, which he still owns today.

The Opel from Niedermohr

The eventful history of Opel will not only be told by Opel Classic on this day. Toolmaker Sascha Bauer brings his Opel 6 convertible from 1936 from Niedermohr to Kaiserslautern and exhibits it directly at his workplace. In this way, a classic car becomes a piece of living work history.

The rare Aero

Holger Fuchs, crew leader at the plant and privately active in the Ascona Team Kaiserslautern, has used his contacts in the classic car scene – with success. One of the most extraordinary guests is Kai Kratschmar from Ditzingen. He brought an Opel Kadett Aero with him, of which only 1,341 were built between 1977 and 1978. It was only a year ago that Kratschmar took over the vehicle first-hand and restored it at great expense. Of the current Opel models, he particularly likes the Mokka. „Especially visually,“ he says with a laugh. As an old-school mechanic, he does not feel quite at home in the world of modern control units.

A look at the press

2,500 tons of pressing force. The transfer press at Straße 9 is one of the most impressive stations on the tour. Because it remains in operation on the day of the festival, visitors can take a rare look at the inner workings of modern production. One of them is Bernd Trautmann. Until six years ago, he himself worked in engine construction and maintenance. Now he returns as a visitor – and gets another taste of the atmosphere of the work.

The song for the Commodore

The ‘Roof Rabbits’ are an integral part of the Opel family. Their music video ‘Hey’ was shot on the roof of the K40 factory hall in Rüsselsheim, guitarist Jonas Eisenbraun develops car seats professionally at Opel. For the anniversary, the musicians are bringing a special title to Kaiserslautern: ‘Commodore’, their German version of David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’. “When the request came from Kaiserslautern, we didn’t have to think twice,” says Eisenbraun.

At the end of this day, it is precisely such stories that remain. The story of a site can be told in production figures. Or in vehicles. This anniversary makes one thing clear above all: It is the people who make 60 years of Opel in Kaiserslautern much more than a company history.