!NEW! Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann visits GM Powertrain Europe in Turin

From left to right: Dr. Thomas Johnen, Vice President Powertrain Engineering, Dr. Pierpaolo Antonioli, Managing Director and Global Diesel Sector Executive Director, Dr. Neumann and Professor Marco Gilli, Rector of Politecnico di Torino.

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, GM Executive Vice President, President Europe and Opel CEO, today visited the General Motors Powertrain Europe Turin campus to meet with the local employees and get in-depth insight into ongoing powertrain developments. He also used the opportunity to meet with the rector of the “Politecnico” university.

Dr. Neumann was hosted by Pierpaolo Antonioli, Managing Director and Global Diesel Sector Executive Director. While he spent considerable time with GM’s local leadership, Dr. Neumann met also with the employees in a dedicated meeting. He toured the facility as well, showing great interest in the test benches, labs and chassis dynamometers. With its state-of-the-art equipment, GM Powertrain Europe Turin represents a strategic asset for GM globally, and in Europe it provides Opel vehicles with premium diesel technology.

Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann and Dr. Thomas Johnen, Vice President Powertrain Engineering, touring the Turin facility together with Dr. Pierpaolo Antonioli, Managing Director and Global Diesel Sector Executive, showing great interest in the test benches, labs and chassis dynamometers.

Dr. Neumann stated: “The GM Powertrain Europe Center in Turin plays a vital role in GM’s global diesel strategy. Diesel-powered cars account for more than half the market in Europe, and our engines developed in Turin must meet the highest customer expectations for durability, efficiency and performance. Our new state-of-the-art 1.6 liter diesel CDTI has already become a benchmark for refinement among mid-size diesels, including those from premium manufacturers.”

In the course of the day, Dr. Neumann met with Professor Marco Gilli, Rector of Politecnico di Torino. Since 2008, GM’s Turin campus has been part of the newly created Cittadella Politecnica (Politecnico Campus), becoming the first private company to be closely integrated on the university premises. Professor Gilli presented the joint activities of Politecnico and GM Powertrain Europe Turin and the collaboration developed in the field of research and education.

Professor Gilli said: “More and more national and multinational companies are turning to selected university centers of excellence to carry out research of common interest. I really appreciate the time and attention Dr. Neumann gave to the University Campus during his visit to the General Motors Development Center. I truly believe that this is a positive example of collaboration between the academic world and the industry that is bearing fruit in terms of research, and it benefits our students and researchers in terms of opportunities and incentives."

At the end of the visit, Pierpaolo Antonioli confirmed: “Dr. Neumann’s visit reinforces the importance of our work within the GM organization in Europe. We are completely committed to continue enhancing our technology to give customers a unique experience when driving Opel and other GM vehicles. I strongly believe that the GM Engineering and Development Center of Turin will keep playing a leading role in research related to stringent regulations on CO2 emissions, without compromising our “fun to drive” proviso.”

Opel/Vauxhall is benefitting from work that has been done by the engineers at the Center. The new 1.6 CDTI engine, the quietest diesel in its class that has earned the nickname “Whisper Diesel”, was developed in Turin. The new engine is already part of the Zafira Tourer and Mervia line-up and will have its premiere in Geneva in the Opel Astra high-volume model range, with stunning fuel consumption figures: 3.7l/100 km combined in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).