The Opel Manta electric will not become a reality for at least the next decade

The launch of the long-awaited Opel Manta electric will not happen soon. This has been confirmed by the chief executive of the German brand, now under Stellantis control, in statements to a well-known national media outlet, stating that no model derived from this project will reach the market before 2030.

The head of Opel has acknowledged the great emotional value the Manta still holds for enthusiasts and the public at large, but has explained that at this time Opel’s priorities as part of the Stellantis group lie elsewhere. The company’s current strategy, he added, is to renew the Corsa and strengthen its SUV range, as these two market segments are key to the company’s growth in the short and medium term.

The electric Manta project nevertheless remains on the table. That has not changed; it is simply not a priority. Opel has several design prototypes but, for now, they will remain stored away in a drawer. This decision contrasts with the plans announced by the brand’s previous chief executive in the summer of 2021. At that time, following the enthusiasm generated by the Manta GSe ElektroMOD prototype, a fully electric production version was promised for the middle of this decade. Something we now know will not happen.

A matter of priorities

This postponement is part of a broader context of adjustments to Opel’s electrification strategy. The German manufacturer had set an ambitious strategy that would have made it an exclusively electric-model manufacturer in Europe from 2028 onward. However, like other manufacturers, Opel has had to scale back its aspirations, as company management now considers this target excessively demanding. The growth of the electric market and the expansion of the charging network have progressed more slowly than expected, forcing Opel to rethink its strategy once again.

In any case, Opel maintains its commitment to electric mobility, with models such as the new Frontera or Grandland available in electric versions, but the company is now opting for a more realistic transition. The Opel Manta, therefore, will have to wait for its moment, which will take a while to arrive but will arrive, probably in the next decade.