Opel is phasing out production of the Insignia mid-range model at its main plant in Rüsselsheim earlier than expected.
The brand with the lightning bolt scraps its flagship.
The only German subsidiary of the Stellantis group has assigned this role to the Insignia.
In this respect, the news from the Adam-Opel-Haus sounds rather dramatic at first glance.
But at second glance the question arises: So what?
After all, the Insignia hasn't looked like a real flagship for quite some time, pulling the rest of the fleet along.
Rather, many a model from the entourage pushes him along in front of him.
Opel launched the car 14 years ago as the successor to the Vectra and Signum models.
The spacious and chic car sold well.
In May 2009, Klaus Franz, then chairman of the general works council, hailed the Insignia as a brilliant success in view of the sales figures.
In the meantime, however, the mid-range model is no longer one of the top sellers from Rüsselsheim, where it is built alongside the new Astra and the DS4 of the French sister brand.
Rather, it goes like this.
Because limousines are not at the top of the wish list of many car buyers.
This segment has long receded behind SUVs of all sizes and station wagons.
It is also available as a station wagon known as the "Sports Tourer", but that alone is not enough.
The Insignia also dates from the time when Opel belonged to the General Motors group and is built on a corresponding platform.
The brand with the lightning bolt does not use a technical basis from the GM days for any other car.
In this respect, the Insignia is something of a foreign body in the portfolio.
This is all the more true because it cannot be electrified.
This vehicle will not even be available as a hybrid.
A car of the future looks different.
Especially since Opel has a clear timetable.
In two years, the company wants to have all models on the market in an electrified version and only build pure electric cars and hybrid models in Europe from 2028 onwards.
Therefore, the farewell to the previous flagship is conclusive.
Irrespective of this, Opel will continue to build at least three models in the main plant for the foreseeable future: the Astra five-door, the Sports Tourer and the DS4, all on the same platform, by the way.
With these models, the company wants to utilize the production capacity.
Last but not least, the Rüsselsheim-based company is preparing to launch a new flagship.
May this car also come from the main plant.