Appointment of Michael Lohscheller to the Managing Board of Groupe PSA

Michael Lohscheller, Opel Chief Executive Officer

The Supervisory Board met on 23 July 2019, decided to appoint Michael Lohscheller, Opel Chief Executive Officer, as a member of the Managing Board effective from 1 September 2019 until the Managing Board’s term of office expires on 2 April 2021. He succeeds Jean - Christophe Quémard, Executive Vice President, Director Middle-East & Africa. The Supervisory Board thanks Jean-Christophe Quémard for his significant contribution to the Management Board since 2012. He remains member of the Global Executive Committee.

Michael Lohscheller's appointment to the Managing Board reflects the importance of Opel Vauxhall's integration into Groupe PSA. He will bring to the Managing Board his international experience gained from several OEM, as well as his expertise in finance, trade and logistics.

On this appointment, Louis Gallois, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Groupe PSA says: ‘I am very pleased, with the members of the Supervisory Board, to welcome Michael Lohscheller to the Groupe PSA Managing Board. It is in line with the Group's and the Supervisory Board's willingness to continue the internationalization of its senior management. It acknowledges the role taken by Michael Lohscheller in the turnaround of Opel Vauxhall’.

Michael Lohscheller is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Opel Automobile GmbH since 2017. Before taking over the position, he was responsible for the automaker’s finances.

Prior to joining Opel in September 2012, Michael Lohscheller was Executive Vice President and CFO at Volkswagen Group of America, where he led a successful turnaround.

During more than 20 years working for different automobile companies, Lohscheller had broad business responsibilities in different areas finance, e.g. marketing and sales, purchasing and logistics.

Lohscheller received a degree in business administration in 1992 after studying at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück, Germany, and the University of Barcelona, Spain. In 1996, he earned a Master of Arts degree in European Marketing Management at Brunel University in London in parallel to his professional activity.

Michael Lohscheller Appointed New CEO of Opel

Michael Lohscheller, Chief Executive Officer, Speaker of the Management Board of Adam Opel GmbH

 Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann has stepped down as the Speaker of the Management Board and CEO of Adam Opel GmbH today. He remains a member of the Management Board until the closing of the sale of Opel/Vauxhall to Groupe PSA. Michael Lohscheller, Opel CFO since September 2012, has been unanimously appointed as his successor with immediate effect by the Supervisory Board. This will ensure continuity for the business and its stakeholders as well as a seamless managerial transition with the priority task to build the new strategic plan for Opel. 

Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (left) and the new Opel CEO, Michael Lohscheller.

According to Dr. Neumann, “it was a difficult personal decision to not continue with the Opel/Vauxhall team when it transitions to Groupe PSA. I am proud of the team for all we have accomplished so far and have no doubt that the move to PSA will make Opel/Vauxhall an even stronger and more successful company in the future. I am committed to completing this transaction and will then take some time to decide what is next for me.”

“We have made tremendous progress in the turnaround of Opel/Vauxhall under Karl-Thomas’ leadership,” said Dan Ammann, Opel Supervisory Board Chairman and President, General Motors. “We thank him for his significant contributions to Opel/Vauxhall and GM over the past four years.”

Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug, Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Adam Opel GmbH and Head of the General Works Council: “The worker representatives within the Supervisory Board respect Dr. Neumann’s decision. He has managed to regain recognition with Opel, an improved brand image and a strengthened self-awareness, coupled with competitive, outstanding models. The decision to appoint the current CFO and member of the management board Michael Lohscheller as the new CEO is explicitly supported by us.”

Michael Lohscheller said: “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for the trust. We will stay on the current path and continue to gain strength as part of the Groupe PSA. After the expected closing of the transaction, a new European champion will emerge. I am looking forward to the new task and to working together with the management team to implement a successful future plan for the benefit of all 38,000 Opel/Vauxhall employees and its stakeholders.”

Groupe PSA Statement further to the appointment of Mr Lohscheller as CEO of Opel/Vauxhall

"We fully support the decision to appoint Mr. Lohscheller who will be surrounded by Opel's best talents to bring Opel / Vauxhall to new horizons for the benefit of its employees, customers and partners. My personal interactions with Michael have been extremely positive, where he has shown a great deal of insight of Opel and Vauxhall, as well as a solid understanding of the international marketplace. I am enthusiastic about the idea of contributing to the rebirth of Opel as a sustainable German-based company within Groupe PSA." said Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of Groupe PSA.

!NEW! Opel Delights Visitors of 43rd Oldtimer Grand Prix

Historic racing cars from Rüsselsheim make the fans’ hearts beat faster 

The visitors of the Opel exhibition at the 43rd Oldtimer Grand Prix and the fans along the Nürburgring race circuit really got their money’s worth. Numerous Opel legends from the company’s 115 years of motorsport history were exhibited and thundered round the track on their demonstration laps.

Opel Motorsport legends: The renowned cars from Opel’s long history in circuit and rallye racing were on show and in action at the Nürburgring.

Opel CFO Michael Lohscheller also visited the Nürburgring and got behind the wheel of the Opel Manta A "24 hours Spa-Francorchamps" from 1974 for a lap. “The visitors are really enthusiastic when they see our racing circuit and rallye legends. This show of pure joy is something that will serve as additional motivation back in the office. Our brand really has deep roots in the population. This is even more proof that our ambition of being approachable, exciting and German is absolutely right,” said Lohscheller.

The Opel racing cars from all eras reminded some of the visitors of their own youth when Opel cars made rallye and racing circuit history. The ‘Black Widow’, a Rekord C touring car with 150 hp, gave many a Porsche driver a fright in the 1960s when the middle class car, normally reserved for families, suddenly appeared in the rear view mirror. The Ascona A designed for the Rallye World Championship was also a real winner and gave Opel its first ever win in a world championship round; Le Mans winner Joachim Winkelhock was behind the wheel at the Oldie GP and showed that he still has the special touch. The black and yellow Kadett C GT/E Coupé driven by legendary duo Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger when they finished fourth at the 1976 Rallye Monte Carlo was also present. The car was nicknamed the ‘moral winner’ because it could only be beaten by three Lancia Stratos racing prototypes.

The equally impressive 1914 Green Monster, the biggest racing car ever built by Opel with a 12.3-liter four-cylinder engine with four-valve technology, was the center of attention at the exhibition in the paddock. The ADAM R2, the latest successful example of Opel’s motorsports pedigree, was also on show. Three weeks ago, Emil Bergkvist and co-driver Joakim Sjöberg steered the 190 hp rallye version of the lifestyle pocket rocket to FIA ERC Junior glory.

The Opel motorsports legends thundered around the track during the traditional demonstration laps on Saturday. A total of 11 cars left the marquee set up in the new paddock and were treated to enthusiastic applause from the thousands of fans lining the Nürburgring Grand Prix track.

!NEW! Opel CarUnity: Launch of Innovative Opel Carsharing Concept

• “Better off sharing” – New Opel carsharing community CarUnity for everyone
• Free app now available for download
• CarUnity important part of Opel mobility services
• Cooperation with ridesharing platform flinc to be intensified

“Better off sharing“: Opel CMO Tina Müller launched Opel’s new carsharing community CarUnity today.

“Better off sharing” („Wer teilt, fährt besser“) – is the motto of Opel’s new carsharing community CarUnity. The innovative carsharing concept launched by the Rüsselsheim automaker in Germany appeals both to vehicle owners and to vehicle users. CarUnity enables them to offer their own car for rental or to rent a car of their choice quickly, easily and flexibly. It does not matter if the car is an Opel or a different brand. From today, the CarUnity app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

Combining forces: Opel CMO Tina Müller (left) and campaign ambassador Bettina Zimmermann present the new CarUnity app.

“We are taking a new approach with CarUnity. Opel is the first automaker to offer carsharing for everyone. CarUnity enables individual mobility everywhere in Germany – at any time and with greatest flexibility”, explains Chief Marketing Officer Tina Müller. “People in Germany can offer their car for rental or rent a car with the free app. Private carsharing fits to our brand – after all, approachable is one of our brand values.“  

The CarUnity app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Carsharing à la Opel has many advantages: car owners all over Germany can earn money with their cars and car renters can use cars in their vicinity for reasonable prices. And with CarUnity, the use of existing cars will be increased, which conserves resources. Fuel costs are covered by the renter. “The slogan ‘Better off sharing’ says it all”, says Dr. Jan Wergin, who as Director Opel Community Carsharing masterminded the development of CarUnity: “Everyone involved benefits from this clever carsharing idea.”

Opel CMO Tina Müller and Dr. Jan Wergin, Director Opel Community Carsharing, presented Opel’s innovative carsharing community “CarUnity” today.

Thanks to the innovative app, car owners can decide who may rent their car. CarUnity users can, for example, offer their car only to their Facebook friends or to people in their personal CarUnity network. The entire transaction takes only a few seconds with the user-friendly app.

Insurance is of course provided for the rental cars. The Opel Bank GmbH developed a comprehensive package for this, and the insurance coverage itself is provided by R+V Allgemeine Versicherung AG.

Marketing for CarUnity is initially focused on the Rhine-Main region and includes cooperation with the radio station FFH, billboards at busy traffic hubs such as main railway stations as well as communication on social media networks. Many private individuals, Opel employees and dealers have already made their cars available to the community for the premiere of CarUnity. Some automotive treasures from Opel Classic can also be found on CarUnity.

Expanding the portfolio of mobility services is an important element of Opel’s plan for the future. “With CarUnity, early on we introduce young people who want to be mobile but do not have their own car to the Opel brand,” says Tina Müller. “In the future it will be increasingly important to develop from a product manufacturer to a mobility service provider with an outstanding network. CarUnity and our new personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar will play an important role in digitalizing the Opel brand.”

Against the background of the increasing importance of mobility services, Opel also announced closer cooperation with the ridesharing platform flinc. From 2016, flinc will provide the technical platform so that ridesharing can also be offered via the car-sharing app. “Just like for CarUnity, we will go our very own way,” explains Jan Wergin. Further details will be announced at a later date.

Just a few months ago, Opel started a successful cooperation with flinc for all employees at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim. “flinc’s technology has the potential to play an important role in Opel’s focus on expanding mobility services for customers throughout Europe,” says Tina Müller.

!NEW! Modernized Adam Opel Haus Officially Reopened

The Adam Opel Haus in Rüsselsheim now sports a brilliant new look featuring a modern concept. Completed modernization on the foyer and the grounds has made the corporate headquarters even more open and inviting.

Grand reopening: CMO Tina Müller, Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann and CFO Michael Lohscheller cut the traditional red tape in front of the new entrance of the Adam Opel-Haus. 

Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, CFO Michael Lohscheller and Chief Marketing Officer Tina Müller officially opened the carmaker’s European headquarters. The building underwent careful modernization measures that were completed in just three months. It is now the central and representative meeting point for employees, business partners and guests.

Festive Setting: Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann speaks to employees and guests in the refurbished Adam Opel-Haus before revealing the new Opel KARL. 

Opel’s Chief Marketing Officer Tina Müller presented the new Opel KARL in front of employees and guests at the reopening of the Adam Opel-Haus. 

On the south side of the building, a completely new foyer was created for the headquarters’ large glass front entrance. The grounds, which include a pond, were integrated in the concept. The entire area was redesigned to be more open, and new access paths that are illuminated at night invite visitors to come inside.

New Collection: Opel presented its latest Motorsport fashion in time for Christmas. The stylish items can be purchased in the Opel-Shop or on www.opel-collection.com

The bistro and Opel Shop make a stylish statement in the foyer and are open to everyone. In the shop, Opel presents a wide range of brand-centered items in a modern ambience. The bistro’s culinary offerings have been expanded meanwhile, and there is now access to high-speed Wi-Fi.

Welcome: A new café, open to employees and the public, has been created in the foyer of the Opel headquarters.

Large new screens provide employees and visitors with information, and the renovations have also created even better possibilities for presenting vehicles.

Trendy and chic: The new shop in the Adam Opel-Haus is open to everyone and offers fashion, model cars and more.

!NEW! Opel Mokka SUV rolls off the production line in Zaragoza

• Spanish King Felipe VI guest of honor at official start of production
• Investment secures around 5,700 jobs at the Spanish plant
• Already more than 275,000 orders for the successful sub-compact SUV

The first Opel Mokka SUV from Zaragoza: King Felipe VI of Spain (on left) with Michael Lohscheller, CFO Opel Group was the guest of honor. 

The successful subcompact SUV Opel Mokka is now manufactured in Europe: Today, Opel celebrated the official start of production in Zaragoza, Spain. Guest of honor at the ceremony was the Spanish King Felipe VI.

Big day for the Spanish plant in Zaragoza: King Felipe VI was present and even signed the first Opel Mokka SUV to roll off the production line. On the right: Michael Lohscheller, CFO Opel Group

“Today is a good day for us. Producing the Mokka in Zaragoza helps us to better utilize our capacities in Europe and to serve our customers more quickly,” says Michael Lohscheller, Chief Financial Officer of the Opel Group. “Demand for the Mokka remains huge: we have received more than 275,000 orders since its market launch in the summer of 2012. This has made the SUV our third most important model within just two years. The Mokka embodies the appeal of our newest models and our brand’s comeback.”

The first Opel Mokka from Zaragoza: King Felipe VI of Spain (on left) with Michael Lohscheller, CFO Opel Group was the guest of honor. 

In total, Opel plans to invest nearly 210 million Euros this year in the important Spanish manufacturing site. Last year 168 million Euros were invested. To make the Zaragoza plant ready for the Mokka production Opel invested 80 million in the initial phase. Since the opening of the plant in 1982 the investment totaled more than 4.3 billion Euros.

King Felipe VI of Spain was the guest of honor at the start of production of the Mokka in Zaragoza, here he is being shown around by Michael Lohscheller, CFO Opel Group (on right).

Manufacturing the sub-compact SUV in Spain will secure the around 5,700 jobs in the plant there. In addition to the Opel Mokka SUV, the Opel Corsa and Opel Meriva models are also built in Zaragoza. With the fifth generation of the Opel Corsa there will be another important production start this year.

The Zaragoza plant readied itself for the Opel Mokka’s start of production in record time. After all, it was just one year ago that the decision to produce the car in Europe was announced.

The challenges this posed were mastered thanks to excellent international collaboration within General Motors. Up until now, the Opel Mokka was produced solely in South Korea.

Manufacturing will start with CKD (Completely Knocked Down) parts kits from Korea, and then the amount of locally produced parts will be increased step by step in the coming years. “Producing the Mokka here is in line with our company philosophy to build cars where we sell them,” explains Michael Lohscheller. “This year, around 20,000 Opel Mokka will roll off the assembly line in Zaragoza. Next year this number will increase considerably”.

The Opel Mokka is now a European: Today, Opel celebrated the official start of production of its successful subcompact SUV in Zaragoza, Spain.

The Opel Mokka has been a real success right from its introduction. The stylish SUV has won over experts and customers alike. In both 2013 and 2014, readers of the automotive magazine Auto Bild voted the Opel Mokka “All-wheel Drive Car of the Year” in the category “Off-road vehicles and SUVs under 25,000 euros”.

“Opel Mokka is a key part of our large model offensive,” says Lohscheller. “To 2018, we will introduce 27 new cars and 17 new engines as we grow our market share step by step.”

!NEW! Dan Ammann to chair Adam Opel AG Supervisory Board

GM reinforces commitment to Opel with the appointment of further top executives

Dan Ammann is the new Chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board.

The Supervisory Board of Adam Opel AG has elected GM President Dan Ammann (41) to succeed Steve Girsky as its new chairman. Ammann is a member of the Supervisory Board since November 2011. This January, he had been officially nominated by GM for the senior position.

In addition, GM has reinforced its commitment to Opel with the appointments of further top executives to the Supervisory Board: Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain; Julia Steyn, Vice President of Global Mergers and Acquisitions; Chuck Stevens, Executive Vice President and CFO and Jim DeLuca, Executive Vice President Global Manufacturing.

In addition to Steve Girsky, Mary Barra has left the Supervisory Board in order to focus on her new leadership role as GM Chief Executive Officer. John Stapleton, who is now CFO of GM North America, has also left the Supervisory Board, while Tim Lee, Executive Vice President, Global Manufacturing, and Chairman, GM China, resigned because he is retiring from the company.

Mary Barra had already praised Steve Girsky in January for his dedication and exceptional performance: “Steve has led the turnaround of GM Europe and brought the region back to the path of profitability. Dan Ammann will maintain this course with the clear aim to reach breakeven by the middle of the decade.”

Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug, head of the Opel works council and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board: “In his role as GME President and head of the Supervisory Board Steve Girsky has brought GM and Opel together again. In dialogue with the employee representatives he made decisions of high importance for the future of Opel. Dan Ammann has been part of this policy as a Supervisory Board member and I am sure that he will continue this course.”