Opel is a German automotive company from Rüsselsheim, Germany that was founded in 1862 by Adam Opel. Against his father's wishes, the young Adam Opel opened a modest workshop in his parents' house to manufacture his own handcrafted sewing machines, which quickly gained popularity and allowed the business to grow.

In 1899, Wilhelm Opel, the son of the company founder, signed a contract with locksmith Friedrich Lutzmann to buy his motor car factory, kickstarting Opel's foray into the automotive industry. This pioneering move established Opel as one of the early automotive manufacturers, alongside other industry giants like Daimler and Benz.

Opel has been an early pioneer in electric vehicles. The Opel Elektro GT, an electric car developed in 1971, set six world records for electric vehicles. The Opel Elektro GT reached a top speed of 171 กม./ชม., which was a new electric vehicle world record at the time.

The Elektro GT's record-breaking achievements highlights Opel's pioneering work in electric mobility.