[1] In 1977, after eight years of successful co-operation, the iron foundry in Kikinda signed a joint venture and long-term co-operation manufacturing contract valid for a period of 15 years with Adam Opel AG (Opel).

US$78.5 million were invested in the newly established IDA-Kikinda factory, funded 51% by Kikinda Iron Foundry and 49% by General Motors.

The export of Yugoslav-made parts allowed IDA to import mostly finished Opels, about 3,000 per year in the early 1980s, and have them treated as Yugoslav products.

Up to the imposition of economic sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in May 1992, 38,700 Opel vehicles and large number of spare parts worth around DM 100 million were produced.

During the 12 years of IDA-Opel manufacturing co-operation, over DM 1.3 billion have been made from this joint venture.