Opel Extends Protection of its Performance and Employment

• In the context of energy transition, led by European CO2 regulations, Management and general works council agreed on extensive measures to safeguard the future
• Exclusion of forced redundancies extended by two years to July 2025
• As part of the allocation of the next generation of Opel Astra, new model will be produced in Rüsselsheim, both as hatchback and station wagon
• EMP2 platform will be localized in Rüsselsheim, allowing to build plug-in hybrid
• Decision to invest is linked to Rüsselsheim performance improvements and secures operation in at least two shift.
• Voluntary programme to be reopened for employees in Rüsselsheim, Eisenach and Kaiserslautern

In the context of far-reaching changes with regard to the ever-stricter CO2 regulations that the entire automotive industry is facing, Opel’s management and the Opel general works council have agreed extensive measures to secure employment and further increase Opel’s competitiveness. Exclusion of forced redundancies has been extended by two further years to 2025 for the employees in Germany. Trainees who are currently serving their apprenticeships will be given permanent contracts.

As a result of performance improvement, the company has decided to make further investments in the plant in Rüsselsheim, thus providing the perspective for many years of manufacturing. Rüsselsheim will produce the next generation of the Opel Astra as a five-door as of 2021 and as a station wagon in Rüsselsheim as of 2022, considering that around 95 percent of station wagon are sold in continental Europe. Allocation includes the internal combustion engine and the plug-in hybrid variants. Second plant is still to be confirmed.

This extensive investment decision will secure at least the two-shift operation of the Rüsselsheim plant.

Management and the general works council also agreed that the voluntary leave programme will be reopened for employees in Rüsselsheim, Eisenach and Kaiserslautern. This is limited to a maximum of 2,100 positions. Employees born up to and before 1963 will have the opportunity to participate in partial retirement or senior leave programmes. The voluntary leave programme is based on the principle of double voluntary action. This means employee and the employer must come to a mutual agreement.

“This agreement creates a further considerable improvement of our competitiveness. With the allocation of the next generation of Astra, we aim at safeguarding the future in times of massive transformation. At the same time, this agreement gives our employees long-term security. Protection of employment until 2025 is a strong signal,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller.