- European Product Development Center strengthened as integral part of the global GM development network
- Main investment in new dynamometer lab on Ruesselsheim campus
- Additional new chassis testing capabilities at Dudenhofen proving grounds
GM announced today that it will invest 230 Million Euros for new testing facilities into its European Product Development Center at the Opel headquarters in Ruesselsheim and at the proving ground in Dudenhofen. The investment will be executed in the next three to four years. It only comes two weeks after GM’s Board of Directors visit of the European Opel/Vauxhall operations and a commitment to invest 4 billion Euros for future product between 2013 and 2016.
The announcement is a further step in GM’s efforts to strengthen its
European brand Opel/Vauxhall and – at the same time - GM’s global
product development resources by enhancing the company’s overall
flexibility, speed and efficiency and investing in to global common
tools and equipment. Moreover the investment is a key enabler for
Opel/Vauxhall in the development of next generation engines and
compliance with European and global emission regulations. The investment
also includes a new fuel station, audio lab and safety analysis
building.
“This significant investment will last for decades and it will secure
the future of the European Product Development Center” said Opel CEO
and President GM Europe Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “The development done
at Ruesselsheim will be on engines and transmissions for Europe and the
rest of the world. This move will give us global responsibility in
engine development”, added Dr. Neumann.
New dynamometers for engines will replace older equipment to allow
for development of the following generation of powertrains for 2020 and
beyond. More than that, flexible test cells to enable improved
operational efficiencies will be implemented. This state-of-the-art-lab
will then be linked to GM’s powertrain facilities in Pontiac and Torino.
As part of the investment, the proving grounds at Dudenhofen will
also gain new capabilities, with a soak area, new workshop and vehicle
dynamometers for important ultra-low emission testing. This globally
common GM-equipment will also allow similar test procedures and
comparable data.
On top of that the management board and the works council earlier
this week have agreed to more flexible working conditions at the
European Product Development Center in Ruesselsheim with more than 6,000
highly qualified employees. This accord is based on the Master
Agreement from March 28, 2013.
The investment into Opel’s design, vehicle engineering, powertrain
operations and human resources further demonstrates GM’s commitment to
enhance the local capability to position Opel and its sister-brand
Vauxhall for long-term competitiveness and success.
With the additional technical resources and improvements, Opel and
Vauxhall will continue to play an important role in designing,
engineering and building new vehicles and powertrains for its own brands
as well as other players in GM’s product portfolio.
The investment is still subject to the approval of the Opel Supervisory Board.
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