Groupe PSA to produce large vans by end of 2021 in Gliwice, Poland

• Success of Groupe PSA’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) strategy requires additional manufacturing capacities
• Convergence of Opel/Vauxhall LCV models on Groupe PSA platforms to increase efficiency
• Performance plan set to adapt the Gliwice location to welcome the production of light commercial vehicles

Groupe PSA Gliwice plant

Good news for Gliwice is a clear demonstration that our Excellent Plant Program is being executed across all European countries with synergies and efficiency. The industrial performance will be a key enabler to serve our ambitions in the commercial vehicle market, guaranteeing our customers the best offer in this segment for all our brands [1],” added Yann Vincent, Executive Vice-President, Manufacturing & Supply Chain.

“Welcoming the production of large vans is a major milestone for the future of the Gliwice location and also a big challenge to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and quality for the satisfaction of business customers. We will demonstrate in the years to come our agility to adapt our processes to the production of this type of vehicle and confirm the confidence placed in us,” said Andrzej Korpak, who manages the Gliwice Groupe PSA plant.

Peugeot Boxer

Groupe PSA, the European LCV market leader, intends to further strengthen its market share in Europe and accelerate its development in the other regions.

Citroën Jumper

SevelSud plant (FCA/PSA joint venture located in Val di Sangro, Italy) has exceeded its manufacturing capacities over the last three years with the production of the Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper and Fiat Ducato large vans.

Fiat Ducato

Transition of the Opel and Vauxhall brands to the shared large vans platform will require additional production capacities. Groupe PSA has decided to extend its presence in Gliwice in Poland to fully utilize  its predisposition and competitiveness. Plant will be transformed to accommodate light commercial vehicles and adapted to the specific platform dedicated to large vans. Investment aims at ensuring the plant’s production capacity of up to 100,000 large vans per year.

Increase in manufacturing capacities in the large vans segment for the Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall brands will enable Groupe PSA to better supply customers by the end of 2021 and will provide manufacturing visibility for more than a decade in Gliwice.

[1] Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Vauxhall

!NEW! Two Millionth Vehicle Leaves Opel Plant in Gliwice

The jubilee car is a Holden Cascada Convertible for the Australian market

The two millionth vehicle: Holden Cascada Convertible for the Australian market

Today, the two millionth vehicle rolled off the production line at the Opel plant in Gliwice (GM Manufacturing Poland). This unique car is a Holden Cascada with a turbocharged 1.6 liter SIDI engine with 170 hp. The elegant convertible in Deep Sky Blue is intended for the Australian market.

 Holden Cascada with a turbocharged 1.6 liter SIDI engine with 170 hp. The elegant convertible in Deep Sky Blue

The production of Holden Astras and Cascadas for Australia and New Zealand started in the Gliwice plant in February of this year and is a part of the recently announced strategy to strengthen the cooperation between Opel and other GM brands. 

The production of Holden Astras and Cascadas for Australia and New Zealand started in the Gliwice plant in February of this year

In addition, at the end of the year the production of the Buick Cascada, designed for the North American market, will begin.

New Buick Cascada convertible

"The two millionth car produced by Opel in Gliwice is the symbolic opening of the next phase of development of our plant, which will be complemented by the launch of the new generation Opel Astra later this year. We are a very well integrated and experienced team, and that help us achieve our goal of producing world-class vehicles," said , GM Manufacturing Poland managing director.

The two millionth car of the Gliwice plant represents the comprehensive experience and flexibility of the local team, while currently produces five models on one assembly line. The first car, the Opel Astra Classic, was produced in Gliwice on August 31, 1998.

Over the years, the Gliwice team has built an excellent reputation by assembling high-quality cars including the small city car Opel Agila, four generations of the compact Astra and the Zafira compact MPV. Currently, the plant produces the elegant Cascada and compact Astra in four body versions.

The Opel factory in Gliwice is one of the largest employers in the region. For over 16 years, it has been producing cars for various markets in Europe, Africa, North America, Asia and Oceania and it is one of the largest exporters in Poland. The plant is also one of the best GM plants in terms of the energy consumption thanks to its successful environmental projects focused on the optimization of the energy management.

Opel is one of the fastest growing brands in Poland. In 2014, the brand sold more than 28,000 vehicles in the country (+41 percent) and was able to rise to number four of the Total vehicle market with a market share of nearly 7.2 percent. The upward trend continued this year: In the first quarter of 2015, sales increased by 23 percent and market share by 1.7 percentage points, compared to the same period last year.

Opel Cascada is a 4.70 meter-long, elegant mid-size class convertible. A classic four-seater with an elongated silhouette and sophisticated soft-top.

The Cascada is a 4.70 meter-long, elegant mid-size class convertible. A classic four-seater with an elongated silhouette and sophisticated soft-top, it offers open-air driving fun in premium quality at a very attractive price. The Cascada’s electric soft-top can be opened at the press of a button at driving speeds up to 50 km/h in just 17 seconds – or also via remote control when the car is stationary. Best Opel chassis technology is featured as standard on the Cascada’s front axle with HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) suspension, guaranteeing driving fun and superb traction.

Opel Cascada, HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) suspension 

!NEW! Opel will employ more than 300 new employees in the manufacturing plant in Gliwice

General Motors Manufacturing Poland announces the start of a significant program of work of more than 300 new employees in the manufacturing plant in Gliwice. They will be part of the crew producing the next generation of Opel Astra. Production of this model is planned at the end of 2015, however, new employees start working at the beginning of next year.

Assembly line in Gliwice plant: Astra is the most popular model in Opel range 

Production in Gliwice plant is currently in two shifts, however, in connection with the impending introduction of next-generation model, and the expected increase in the volume of production, it is necessary to increase the number of jobs. 

The recruitment process will start immediately and will be conducted by Adecco. All new jobs relate to production stations. 

"This is another important step for our plant in Gliwice. Introducing an exciting new product and looking forward to increase the production volume, we employ highly qualified and motivated employees. "Said Andrzej Korpak the Director of the General Motors Manufacturing Poland. 

Gliwice plant currently produces currently offered generation of the Opel Astra and the Opel Cascada. The plant currently employs about 3 000 employees. 

Opel Cascada Convertible - Roof installation 

Sale of Opel in Poland in the period from January to September this year. amounted to 19 389 cars and was over 40% higher than the same period a year earlier. The market share of passenger cars amounted to 7.91%. Opel Astra is the most popular model of Opel range in Poland.