Opel CEO Florian Huettl dismissed rumors about the discontinuation of the electric Manta project, reiterating the company’s commitment to resurrecting the iconic model in an electric avatar. Huettl confirmed that the project is progressing, emphasizing its importance as an emotional vehicle with a rich history. He stated, “The Manta project is making progress… It will be a car for a broad target group. But I can assure you that we will treat our history with great respect.”
Opel’s decision to pursue the electric Manta follows an earlier announcement in 2021 under former CEO Michael Lohscheller’s leadership. The company aimed to introduce the Manta-e, an emotional electric model, by the middle of the decade, inspired by the positive reception of the Manta GSe ElektroMOD concept. Despite a period of relative silence on the project, Opel remains committed to delivering an electric reinterpretation of the Manta.
Huettl also discussed Opel’s broader electric vehicle (EV) strategy, reaffirming the company’s plan to exclusively launch new models with electric powertrains in Europe from 2028. “From 2025, every new Opel coming onto the market in Europe will be purely electric,” stated Huettl, highlighting the brand’s confidence in electric mobility. Opel experienced a 22% increase in sales of battery-electric vehicles in 2023, accounting for 13.5% of total sales.
Acknowledging the fierce competition in the EV market, especially from Chinese manufacturers, Huettl emphasized the importance of offering affordable electric cars. “Our electric cars must remain affordable for our customers,” he remarked, setting a target price of around ā¬25,000 for future models. Opel aims to achieve a price point similar to competitors like VW, signaling its commitment to accessibility in the electric vehicle market.
While specific timelines for the release of the affordable EV were not provided, Huettl indicated that it would be part of the next generation of Opel’s all-electric platform.