Until mid-2024, the Opel plant in Vienna-Aspern was dedicated to the serial production of six-speed manual transmissions for combustion engine vehicles. With the plant’s closure, a broad portfolio of transmission manufacturing assets is now available and will be auctioned off online on 17 and 18 September, 2024. Stellantis has selected
Maynards Europe GmbH to manage the sale of approximately 1,200 items, ranging from high-quality manufacturing machinery to workshop and laboratory equipment.
Like many industries, the automotive sector is undergoing significant transformation. For an international, innovation-driven company like Stellantis and a popular brand like Opel, a swift and seamless restructuring process is crucial. Maynards Europe is supporting this leading automotive company with extensive expertise and experience.
As an experienced asset recovery solutions partner, Maynards ensures that the sale of the plant’s equipment is conducted with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. This approach provides the client with greater flexibility and relief as it plans for the future, while bidders have the opportunity to acquire used industrial equipment at a fraction of the cost, delivering high value with lower investment.
As a global automotive manufacturer, Opel has always prioritised quality, which is reflected in the equipment, machinery, and tools used to produce six-speed manual transmissions. These were the focus of the Vienna-Aspern plant, which began operation in 1980.
Interested bidders can view a comprehensive catalogue of high-quality manufacturing systems and used machinery, available in a showroom. The Bidding opens on 3 September and the auction includes a wide range of equipment from renowned manufacturers, such as gear machining machines from Liebherr, Reishauer, Gleason and Samputensili, Comau machining centres, Tacchella grinding machines, and lathes from Niles, as well as testing, laboratory, and measurement technology from leading brands like Zeiss and Marpos.
During peak operations, Opel employed more than 2,000 workers in Vienna. Until the very end, the production of manual six-speed transmissions was carried out to the highest standards of quality and safety. The equipment is well maintained, up-to-date, and meets modern standards. As Stellantis shifts its focus increasingly towards electric powertrains, Maynards’ comprehensive management of the plant’s closure allows the company to concentrate on future-oriented topics. The equipment that is no longer needed is being sustainably repurposed, ensuring that its significant potential is harnessed for new projects.
Adrian Matuszczak, project manager at Maynards Europe, concluded: “Major projects like the closure of the Vienna plant are not everyday tasks, even for experienced global players. With our tailored comprehensive solutions, we create space for what really matters and give companies the confidence of an efficient and smooth restructuring process. Sustainability is an important issue for large companies like Opel. By auctioning used machinery and equipment, we reintegrate these assets into the value chain, helping our client actively implement resource-conserving measures.”