The Opel Astra factory in the southern city of Gliwice will begin shutting down today after more than two decades, with the last car rolling off its lines next week. Next year, the site will be repurposed for the production of delivery vans as well as a number of other car models, with an increased workforce.
The factory began operations in August 1998 and has since produced five consecutive models of the Astra car, with the final ones being put into production in 2015.
During its 23 years of operation, a total of 2.75 million Astras rolled off the lines in Gliwice, reports Gazeta Wyborcza. The factory also produced Astra models under the Holden brand, which were exported to Australia and New Zealand.
At peak production in 2016, the Gliwice factory produced 210,000 units, but output has decreased every year since. In 2017 the factory churned out 165,000 cars, then 107,000 in 2018, 93,000 in 2019 and 46,000 last year.
Production will begin to shut down starting on Wednesday, according to the factory’s spokeswoman, Agnieszka Brania, and the final vehicle will be completed on 30 November.
Production of the Opel model, which was previously also made by the British Vauxhall, a sister company of Opel, will now shift to the original plant in Rüsselsheim am Main in Germany.
However, the owner, Stellantis, is planning to begin serial production of delivery vans in a new factory adjacent to the old Astra assembly room.
The Netherlands-based car maker is the world’s sixth largest and was formed through a merger of Italian-American producer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group.
Last year, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced a major investment in its plant in Tychy, a nearby city, to begin producing new hybrid and electric models. The plant also employs around 2,500 people.
At its Gliwice site, the company plans on making 100,000 vans per year. The plant will also produce Opel Movano, Peugeot Boxer, Fiat Ducato and Citroen Jumper models, including electric versions, and some vehicles for the British market. Staff numbers will also be boosted from 2,000 to 2,500.
“Some of the facilities belonging to the old plant will be adapted to the needs of the new factory, such as warehouse space. We want to sell or rent the rest,” said Brania, reports Gazeta Wyborcza.
Main image credit: Opel.pl/press materials
Maria Wilczek is deputy editor of Notes from Poland. She is a regular writer for The Times, The Economist and Al Jazeera English, and has also featured in Foreign Policy, Politico Europe, The Spectator and Gazeta Wyborcza.
