1862 - 1899 | 1900 - 1909 | 1910 - 1919 | 1920 - 1929 | 1930 - 1939 | 1940 - 1949 | 1950 - 1959 | 1960 - 1969 | 1970 - 1979 | 1980 - 1989 | 1990 - 1999 | 2000 - 2007
 
1940 Production of the one-millionth Opel, a Kapitän model.
In October, a directive from the Nazi regime brings passenger-car production to a standstill.
In addition to truck models, including four-wheel drive and track versions, military equipment such as landing gear, cockpits, and fuel tanks for aircraft etc. are produced.
Opel 3-ton, chain-drive Blitz “Maultier” (Mule), An Opel Blitz in use by the military, circa 1941. Production of cockpits for JU-88 aircraft at the Rüsselsheim plant, 1943.
1944 Allied bombs destroy half of the Rüsselsheim plant; the Brandenburg plant is almost completely destroyed.
The Rüsselsheim plant is virtually destroyed in Allied air raids, 1944. The Rüsselsheim plant is virtually destroyed in Allied air raids, 1944.
1945 The entire Kadett production facilities are dismantled and sent to the Soviet Union as reparations.
1946 Production of Frigidaire household refrigerators recommences. The first postwar Opel, a 1.5-ton Blitz truck, is built.
On July 15, 1946, the first postwar Opel vehicle, a 1.5-ton Blitz truck, rolls off the Rüsselsheim assembly line. Frigidaire refrigerators receive a final check, 1951. A display of Frigidaire refrigerators at the Rüsselsheim plant, 1952. The Frigidaire emblem.
Advertisement for Frigidaire refrigerators from the 1950s.
1947 Passenger car production resumes with the Olympia model.
Opel’s first postwar passenger car, an Olympia, rolls off the Rüsselsheim assembly line on December 28, 1947. Advertisement for the Opel Olympia, 1948. The Opel Olympia sedan, 1947.
1948 The Rüsselsheim plant resumes production of the Kapitän, which enjoys a popular comeback.
Advertisement for the Opel Kapitän, 1948. The Opel Kapitän, 1948–1950. Rail transport of Opel Kapitän models from the Rüsselsheim plant, 1949. The Opel Kapitän, 1948–1950.
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