First Fully Electric Opel / Vauxhall Corsa Will be Made in Zaragoza

• Next generation Opel/Vauxhall Corsa will be produced exclusively in Zaragoza as of 2019, plus electric variant by 2020
• Social framework agreement paves the way for sustainable future at Zaragoza site

From A to E: To date, five generations of the Opel Corsa have been produced in Zaragoza since 1982.

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller today announced that the next generation of the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa will be produced exclusively in Zaragoza as of 2019. In addition, the electric variant of the bestselling sub-compact car will also roll off the Zaragoza production line by 2020.The Spanish plant will therefore be the first Groupe PSA plant to produce a fully electric Opel/Vauxhall model in Europe.

In front of an Opel Crossland X: Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller, Plant Manager Zaragoza Antonio Cobo and Jonathan Akeroyd, Director Sales, Marketing & Aftersales Opel Iberian Cluster (from left)

“This is an important step forward for the Zaragoza plant and marks the beginning of a new era,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. A major prerequisite for future investments is the social framework agreement that was concluded with the unions at the end of January. This is enabling the plant to significantly increase its competitiveness, allowing further investment in the manufacturing site. “This result is significant and shows the mutual trust and confidence of all involved stakeholders. Zaragoza will continue to play an important role in the industrial footprint of Groupe PSA,” added Lohscheller.

The Corsa will be one of four electrified models in the Opel/Vauxhall portfolio by 2020. According to the strategic plan PACE!, all European Opel/Vauxhall passenger car models will have an electrified version by 2024.

The Zaragoza plant started building the Opel Corsa in 1982. Since then almost thirteen million cars have been built in the plant, thereof more than ten million units of the bestseller Corsa. Groupe PSA is also currently building the Opel Mokka X, the Opel Crossland X and the Citroën C3 Aircross in the plant. With this additional Groupe PSA investment in Spain, the company confirms its commitment and strengthens its leading position with a total output of 876,672 vehicles in 2017.

!NEW! Opel Starts Production of MOKKA X in Zaragoza

• Opel CEO Dr. Neumann drives first MOKKA X off production line
• More than 600,000 orders for the successful sub-compact SUV since 2012

In Spain: Opel celebrated the official start of production of the new MOKKA X in its Zaragoza plant.

Today, Opel celebrated the official start of production of the new MOKKA X in Zaragoza, Spain. Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Chairman of the Management Board of Opel Group, drove the first new Opel MOKKA X off the production line. After the ceremony Dr. Neumann took the opportunity to meet union representatives and talk to the workforce during a townhall meeting. In his speech he highlighted the competitiveness of the plant.

 Vice President Manufacturing, Antonio Cobo, Managing Director GM Spain and Plant-Chief Zaragoza, and Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (from left).

Following the start of production Dr. Neumann had a private meeting with Javier Lambán, President of the Government of Aragon. He thanked him for the support of the Aragonese administration and informed him about the company’s medium-term plans.

"The adaptation of the Spanish plant for the launch of the Opel Mokka and now the new MOKKA X has been executed perfectly. This was achieved in a record time thanks to excellent planning, good coordination between all parties involved and thanks to the commitment of all employees", Dr. Neumann said.

“Opel is a vital part of the Spanish automotive industry and the region. We are happy that Opel, the number one private employer in Aragon, continues to invest here in the production of one of its most important models”, said Lambán.

The Opel Mokka is a real success story. With more than 600,000 orders across Europe it is one of the most popular sport utility vehicles (SUV) in its segment. The new Opel MOKKA X displays a bold attitude with its new exterior design. Inside, the highlights of the functional and neatly arranged instrument panel are the state-of-the-art IntelliLink infotainment systems. Together with the personal connectivity and mobility assistant Opel OnStar, they make the MOKKA X the best-connected compact SUV in Europe.

The MOKKA X represents a further important step in the biggest product offensive in the history of Opel/Vauxhall. From 2016 through 2020 the company will introduce 29 new models.

Opel has established itself as the leader of the Spanish passenger car market. With around 62,000 passenger cars sold through July 2016 (+21.8 percent), Opel increased its market share by 0.74 percentage points to 8.46 percent.

New Milestone in Figueruelas: 12 Million Opel Vehicles Produced

• A fifth generation Opel Corsa is the milestone car
• Figueruelas, cornerstone of the Aragón economy
• Milestone coincides with GM’s celebrations of 500 million manufactured cars

Proud employees: Red Opel Corsa is the 12 millionth car produced in Zaragoza.

A new milestone has been set in the General Motors España plant in Figueruelas: The 12 millionth unit rolled of the production line, a fifth generation Opel Corsa Color Edition. The Corsa, Opel’s perennial bestseller, mainly targets a young audience and to date 10 million units have been manufactured in the Zaragoza plant in its almost 33 years of age making it a key player in reaching this production milestone.

Celebrating 12 million cars from Zaragoza: Antonio Cobo, Managing Director of GM Spain, and Francisco Esteban Gil, production employee from the press shop.

“Today is a day for celebrations, but also of gratitude. I would like to say 12 million thanks here today. One for each of the Corsa, Kadett, Astra, Tigra, Combo, Meriva and Mokka, that, during the last three decades, have promoted quality made in Spain not only throughout Europe but also beyond. I would also like to say thank you to each of the customers that put their trust in us,” said Antonio Cobo, Managing Director of GM España.

Antonio Cobo, Managing Director of GM Spain, gave a speech at the event in Zaragoza.

The attractive fifth generation Opel Corsa offers a modern appearance and a refined driving experience, with a new chassis and an optimized steering, combining German engineering with emotional design, superior connectivity and an unrivalled price/performance ratio. The new generation of gasoline engines and the thoroughly improved turbo diesel engines, ensure a new level of comfort along with lively performance combined with minimum consumption and reduced emissions.

The car that represents the 12 millionth unit is a five-door Opel Corsa Color Edition, equipped with an efficient new three cylinder 1.0 Turbo engine with 115 Hp. The magma red Corsa with a black roof is intended for the German market and comes with extensive connectivity features. The IntelliLink infotainment system brings the world smartphones to the car. Furthermore, the Corsa can look to the latest advances in active safety and driver assistance systems.

The anniversary car rolled off the production line this morning, driven by employee number 12,000: Francisco Esteban Gil Cañete. Cañete, an hourly production employee from the press shop has been with the company since 1989.

Since its inauguration in 1982, the GM España factory in Figueruelas has been a cornerstone of the economy in Aragón. Its economic value – the number of employees and automotive supply industry park that has been created in the direct vicinity – are vital for the region. Both General Motors and Opel have placed a lot of faith in the Spanish plant in terms of continuous investments that currently exceed euro 4.5 billion, nearly half of the total investment coming in the last ten years.

Its impact on the creation of direct and indirect employment is immense. In addition to the more than 5,000 employees of GM España, a further 28,000 people are employed by the almost 300 suppliers located in Aragón.

The Figueruelas plant is an essential part of the Opel strategy to return to profitability and of the new product offensive that will see the introduction of 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018.

This new milestone reached by the Aragón plant coincides with the celebration of the 500 million cars produced by the Opel parent company, General Motors, of which more than 68 million have been Opels and 3.7 million of these having been sold in Spain. In total, General Motors has sold nearly 4 million automobiles of many of its brands in Spain.

!NEW! Opel España Announces 1,400 New Hires by 2018

• More than 25 percent of current workforce to be replaced in the next four years
• Aim is to rejuvenate staff, improve job opportunities and to reduce youth unemployment
• Agreement with INAEM (Aragón Employment Institute) for pre-selection of candidates

New cooperation: Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España signed the agreement

Opel España is rejuvenating its workforce: More than 25 percent of the current staff of the Figueruelas (Zaragoza) plant will be replaced over the next four years. During this time, Opel will hire more than 1,400 new employees. The new members of the Opel team will take over positions made available by those born between 1954 and 1957 who are leaving to go into partial retirement. The project is part of a cooperation agreement with INAEM (Aragón Employment Institute), designating this organization responsible for Opel’s employee selection processes during the next four years.

The agreement was signed today by Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España. The Minister of Economy and Employment of the Regional Government, Francisco Bono, also attended the ceremony.

Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government and Antonio J. Cobo, General Director of General Motors España.

“This initiative will help us find and promote talent, develope the employment opportunity capacities of our youth, as well as create a future for Aragón and for Spain,” said Antonio Cobo. “The agreement is part of the workforce rejuvenation plan that Opel España is executing in order to successfully meet the challenges of the future.”

“Opel is committed to a competitive business model based on sustainability and social, environmental and economic concerns which will offer the greatest possible benefit to the Spanish and Aragonese society. We want to make the community we are a part of a better place, and thereby contribute to creating a better tomorrow for future generations in Aragón and Spain,” Cobo added.

"The agreement is further evidence of the Opel España’s commitment in Aragon. It shows the confidence this important company has in our community and also the capacity of the Government of Aragon, INAEM in this case, to respond to the needs of the Aragonese economy, in particular, businesses and workers," said the President of Aragon, Luisa Fernanda Rudi.

Do it yourself: Luisa Fernanda Rudí, President of the Aragón Government, took the opportunity to test the facilities in the apprentice workshops in Zaragoza with Antonio J. Cobo, General Director von General Motors España offering expert advice. 

"General Motors/Opel España is fundamental to the Aragonese economy. Opel leads the powerful automotive sector of the region and is a benchmark of the industrial sector, both in terms of GDP growth and employment growth, leading the recovery of the Aragonese economy," she added.

Once job profiles are defined, the INAEM will be in charge of the selection process and determine the final group of candidates. Opel will then provide a theory/practice training program in its plant for workshop personnel pre-selected by the INAEM.

The course will take 160 hours. After satisfactory completion, participants will receive an official certificate as “Assembly expert for electrical and mechanical elements and components”. Opel has committed to incorporating a minimum of 60 percent of the participants who successfully complete the training into its workforce with a labor contract.

The application of active employment policies and the professional and occupational training linked to labor market requirements are among the basic instruments of a strategy oriented to increasing employment opportunities for new generations trying to enter the labor market. This is the fundamental guideline in the cooperation agreement between Opel and the Aragón Employment Institute.

The Spanish plant has the largest production capacity of all Opel group factories in Europe. It is one of the biggest employers in Spain and has produced more than 11.9 million units since it was opened in 1982. About 90 percent of the annual production is exported, with main markets being the UK, Germany, Italy and France.

The Zaragoza plant plays a key role in the current Opel product offensive, which will launch 27 new models and 17 new engines by 2018. Opel rose to number three on the passenger car market in Spain in 2014 with 66,700 registered vehicles and a market share of 7.8 percent.

!NEW! Opel Starts Production of New Meriva MPV in Zaragoza

Antonio Cobo, GM Spain Managing Director, drove the first new Opel Meriva off the assembly line in the Figueruelas plant

First Opel Meriva for Switzerland: GM Spain Managing Director Antonio Cobo drove the first Casablanca White Opel Meriva Excellence off the assembly line.

Yesterday was a great day for the Opel Plant in Zaragoza, Spain, when the first new Meriva for sale – upgraded, more efficient, more attractive and more functional than ever – rolled off the assembly line in the Figueruelas plant. Accompanied by the two employees with the longest and shortest company tenure at the plant, GM Spain Managing Director Antonio Cobo, drove the first new Opel flexibility champion off the assembly line. This was a Casablanca White Meriva Excellence, featuring the innovative new generation 1.6 CDTI engine with 136 hp, destined for Switzerland.

In addition to its unique flexibility, Opel’s small monocab now also stands out with a refreshed, crisper design, and with an array of state-of-the-art technologies that further enhance its comfort and efficiency. A complete range of Euro 6 certified engines (gasoline, LPG and diesel powertrains) are on offer, including a new generation 1.6 CDTI that is the quietest and most efficient in its class. The new generation Opel IntelliLink infotainment system with enhanced speed and functionality perfectly integrates smartphone functionality into the cockpit.

GM Spain Managing Director Antonio Cobo with employees

“The Opel Meriva MPV has set the standard in the segment for ergonomics, affordable flexibility and quality,” said Antonio Cobo. “Driving a new model off the assembly line for the first time is one of the most special honors to be had at a facility like ours. This moment is the culmination of  many hours of work, effort, shared talent search for the best solutions and, ultimately, of the work of many men and women doing a great job as a team and striving each day to give the best of themselves, to achieve a goal: to be the best. And the new Opel Meriva MPV is better than ever.”

A great day for the Opel plant in Spain: The first new Meriva for sale rolled off the assembly line in the Figueruelas plant.