!NEW! Opel is hiring 350 Engineers

ITDC will be enhanced and get additional responsibilities in the global network

Mike Ableson, Vice President Engineering and Member of the Board at press conference 

Opel is hiring 350 engineers in order to support the brand’s ongoing product offensive. 300 of them will be hired to work at the International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, the Torino Engineering Center is looking for 50 new engineers. New hires at ITDC Rüsselsheim will be in vehicle engineering as well as in powertrain engineering. Therewith Opel strengthens the role of the International Technical Development Center (ITDC) in Rüsselsheim with currently more than 6,000 employees.

At today's press conference Mike Ableson, Vice President Engineering and Member of the Board, announced that Opel is hiring 350 additional engineers. 300 of them will be hired to work at the Internationel Technical Developement Center in Rüsselsheim, the Torino Engineering Center is looking for 50 new engineers

The main areas of hiring are simulation, validation, construction, cost engineering and accessories engineering. For powertrain Opel is mainly looking for experts in the areas of engine and transmission engineering and calibration. The hiring process has already started and will be finalized by the end of the year.

"This is not only an evident proof that Opel/Vauxhall is taking the realization of its product offensive seriously. It is also another sign from General Motors that our parent company values German engineering and so the German ITDC is taking on more work in order to support Opel and Europe," said Michael Ableson, Vice President Engineering and Member of the Board. "By doing that we are securing the long-term importance of the ITDC as an integral part of GM's global engineering network."

Mike Ableson, Vice President Engineering and Member of the Board in Opel HQ 

In addition, GM will make more use of synergies between the brands, particularly between Buick and Opel will increase. This will result in further economies of scale that benefit both brands.

The recruitment goes along with the 230 million euro investment that GM announced in April 2013. This investment will be used for building new testing facilities into its European Product Development Center at the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim and at the proving ground in Dudenhofen. New dynamometers for engines and transmissions will replace older equipment to allow for development of the following generation of powertrains for 2020 and beyond. This will be a key enabler for Opel/Vauxhall in the development of next generation engines and compliance with European and global emissions regulations.

The powertrain development work that will be done in Rüsselsheim will translate into engines and transmissions not only for Europe but also for the rest of the world. Dr. Thomas Johnen, Vice President Powertrain Engineering, said: "Two next generation gasoline engine lines, which will be key building blocks to reach the next step of environmentally friendly mobility solutions, will be developed in Rüsselsheim for applications in Europe and worldwide."

Opel and GM are investing heavily into future Opel/Vauxhall products. Four billion euros have been earmarked for future product between 2013 and 2016. Through 2016, Opel is introducing 23 new models and 13 new powertrains.