Background
His father, Adam Opel, had founded the family firm as a manufacturer of sewing machines, and later diversified into bicycle manufacturing.
His father, Adam Opel, had founded the family firm as a manufacturer of sewing machines, and later diversified into bicycle manufacturing.
He introduced the assembly line to the German automobily industry. Their brother Karl was raised to the same rank the following year. 1933, Opel joined the Nazi Party and soon became an active supporter of it, making financial contributions to the Steamship and being awarded the title of Patron.
In January 1947, he was found guilty by a denazification court and had to pay a large fine.
He died the following year. Opel is the grandfather of Rikky von Opel and Gunter Sachs.