A red dot for the 2010 Opel Astra

The newest entry in the Astra family, the 2010 model year, has received the “red dot” award in the product design category from an international expert jury of non-automotive designers. The new award takes its place in the line of international recognitions for the model, including Goldenes Lenkrad in Germany and viewer’s choice prize in Romania.

“It is a very special honor to receive this endorsement from an international jury of non-automotive designers. It confirms once again that Opel is on the right track by offering the highest quality components and materials matching the upscale execution,” Mark Adams, vice president of Opel/Vauxhall Design said.

The new Astra, developed by the European Design Center in Russelsheim, continues, according to GM, the ‘sculptural artistry meets German precision’ design language, introduced for the first time on the Insignia.

The "red dot" award, presided over by the Design Zentrum North Rhine Westphalia in Essen, Germany, is among the most renowned design prizes in the world and is granted to products from any field by an international panel of design experts. The designs are judged by innovation, functionality and formal quality.

Until now, five other Opel models received the "red dot" award: the Insignia, the Flextreme Concept, the GT, Astra GTC and the 1998 Astra G.

“The internationally renowned expert jury found its job exceptionally difficult this year simply because of the high number of quality entries,” Jan Sotebeer, senior project manager of red dot said in a release. “In the name of the entire jury, I would like to extend our congratulations to Opel.”