!NEW! Opel/Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Production Starts at Ellesmere Port

• First Astra Sports Tourer rolls off production line today
• Smaller outside, bigger inside – up to 190 kg lighter than outgoing model
• Opel OnStar, IntelliLink infotainment compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

Astra Sports Tourer production started today at the Ellesmere Port plant in the UK.

Production of the new Astra Sports Tourer started today at the Opel/Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, United Kingdom. Plant workers were joined by Peter Thom, Vice President Manufacturing Opel Group, and Stefan Fesser, Ellesmere Port Plant Director, as the first vehicle left the production line. Like its five-door hatch sibling, the Astra Sports Tourer is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture with a new design, powertrains and technology.

Astra Sports Tourer production started today at the Ellesmere Port plant in the UK. Employees were joined by Plant Director Stefan Fesser (center).

The Sports Tourer further extends the dynamic lines of the five-door. The slightly arched sloping roofline gives the Sports Tourer a longer appearance, an effect that is further enhanced by the divided C-pillar. The rear view combines high functionality with elegant design. The Sports Tourer has a stable, robust and safe stance, the muscular rear-wheel arch contours and the divided rear light clusters add to this impression.

The latest generation Sports Tourer has almost the same dimensions as the outgoing model with a length of 4,702 mm, a width of 1,871 mm (with exterior mirrors folded in) and a height of 1,510 mm – however, it offers much more space for passengers and luggage. The driver can enjoy 26 mm of additional headroom, passengers in the rear have 28 mm more legroom, providing more space and comfort. The Sports Tourer’s total cargo capacity is now 1,630 litres, thanks to more efficient packaging.

Power outputs of 70 kW/95 hp to 147 kW/200 hp are delivered by the range of highly efficient diesel and gasoline engines (fuel consumption and CO2 emissions combined: 6.2-3.4 l/100 km; 142-89 g/km).

Depending on the model and trim level, the Astra Sports Tourer is up to 190 kg lighter than its predecessor. The completely new vehicle architecture plays a major role in the weight reduction. Every component was checked for compact design and lightweight materials. The body shell weight alone was reduced by around 85 kilograms.

!NEW! GM Invests 250 Million Euros in Modern Engine Production in Tychy

• Start of production of new midsize diesel engines is scheduled for 2017
• Plant is upgraded to highest technological standards

GM Poland plant in Tychy

General Motors today announced the allocation of the new generation midsize diesel engine family to the GM Manufacturing Poland plant in Tychy.

GM Poland plant Tychy - 1.7 CDTI Engine assembly

Start of production of the all-aluminum 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel (CDTI) Euro 6 engines  that combine high performance with top refinement and high fuel efficiency is scheduled for 2017.

Total investment in the plant, which is located in the Katowice Special Economic Zone, will amount to 250 million euros. This is the biggest investment in the history of the Tychy plant and includes additional buildings and new manufacturing technology.  The maximum annual production capacity will be 200,000 units.

GM Poland plant Tychy - 1.7 CDTI Engine assembly

The investment will enable the extension and modernization of the plant’s infrastructure. The building’s surface area will increase by 30 percent with the addition of the storage area as well as high tech production and testing lines. This expansion takes the plant’s technological competence to the next level and transforms the assembly facility into a full production plant.  Construction and installation of the new production equipment will continue until 2016.

Opel’s new 1.6 CDTI is the quietest diesel in its class

“The new midsize diesel engine family is an important part of our engine offensive. We appreciate the good quality and high efficiency of our Polish location and look forward to implementing this exciting project,” says Peter Thom, Member of the Management Board, Adam Opel AG and Vice President Manufacturing Europe.

“The automotive industry is a very important branch of our market, therefore this new investment in the GMMP Tychy plant is very good news not only for the region, but also for the whole economy,” says Janusz Piechociński, Poland Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy.

“The new investment moves the GM Manufacturing Poland plant to the next development level and secures its future. With this comprehensive portfolio of modern engines and vehicles, we are committed to contributing to the Opel/Vauxhall product offensive. We would like to thank the Polish Ministry of Economy that supported the investment,” said Andrzej Korpak, Managing Director of the GM Manufacturing Poland plant.

The new engine family will meet Euro 6 emission standards while securing high power and torque density, low fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. Engines will be installed in a wide range of Opel/Vauxhall models, setting the benchmark for noise, vibration and harshness.

The GM Manufacturing Poland plants in Gliwice and Tychy employ 3,500 people.  The current portfolio includes the Opel Astra, the Cascada convertible and the 1.7 liter turbo-diesel (CDTI) engine .  With today’s announcement, total GM investments in Poland will amount to over 1 billion euros.

!NEW! Opel Corsa to start building in Belarus in 2014

New agreement between Opel and producer UNISON to set up an assembly

Opel will start building Corsas in Belarus in 2014

Opel will start building Corsas in Belarus in 2014. A framework agreement was signed today between James Bovenzi, GM Russia and CIS President and Managing Director, and Dmitry Egorov, Director General of JV UNISON JSC. The assembly will happen at the UNISON facilities in Belarus. The produced automobiles will be sold in the markets of the Russian Customs Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan).

„We are now producing Corsas in Belarus according to our guiding principle – build where we sell. On top of that the delivery of assembly kits to an expanding market means more business for our facilities in Eisenach and Zaragoza”, says Opel Vice President Manufacturing Europe, Peter Thom, being pleased about the agreement with UNISON.

All Opel Corsa versions offered in the Russian market today are planned for production. OPC – being still imported from Western Europe – will be the only exception. British-Belarusian company UNISON with the help of Opel professionals will purchase, assemble and set up all the necessary equipment to start assembly of the new model, as well as will train the personnel on global GM production and strict quality control guidelines. The Corsa will be delivered as so called SKD-kits (Semi Knocked Down) coming from the Opel works in Eisenach/Germany (three-door) and Zaragoza/Spain (five-door) to be completed in Belarus. The plan is to assemble 7000 units in the first year of production.

“We are happy to start cooperation with UNISON recognizing their many years of assembly expertise, professional personnel and perfect positioning in terms of parts supply from Europe and finished products logistics to the Customs Union markets”, says GM Russia and CIS President and Managing Director James Bovenzi.

And Alexey V. Vaganov, UNISON JSC chairman of supervisory board, adds: “We would like to thank the company for choosing our plant as a partner to produce Opel Corsa. The agreement valid through 2017 provides the possibility to enhance the lineup.”