GERMANY - Opel is investing in the engines of the future.

• A seven-story building dedicated to the design, development and testing of the engines of the future
• The investment of 210 million euros in Rüsselsheim on schedule
• Dan Nicholson, one of the top executives of GM in the area of ​​engine development, highlights the global responsibility of Opel

Opel is investing in the engines of the future. 210 million euros have been allocated for the construction of the new and ultra-modern power units currently under construction center in Rüsselsheim, where it will be developed and tested efficient drive systems. 

The construction of the center proceeds within the timescale envisaged: the ceremony for the completion of the roof took place today, and the center will be inaugurated in 2017.

The Group CEO Opel, Karl-Thomas Neumann, and the head of the Opel works council, Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug, he joined during the official ceremony Dan Nicholson, chief expert of engine development and vice president of GM Powertrain Division World . 

It was present among the guests also the Mayor of Rüsselsheim, Patrick Burghardt, when Sascha Göbel, representative of the construction company in charge, gave the traditional speech that usually accompanies such occasions.

Karl-Thomas Neumann stressed the importance of this investment for the future of the brand. "We take very seriously our responsibility to the climate and the environment and we are on track to meet the target set for 2020 for emissions of CO2. 

The new center Thrusters make our work more efficient. Not only strengthen Rüsselsheim, but also the entire network of development of GM, Opel ensuring a leading role in the scope of the propulsion with low environmental impact. "

"The Centre Thrusters is a strategic investment of extreme importance for the company. GM has decided to create this structure in Rüsselsheim for a very good reason, because here is concentrated the development of gasoline engines for small and medium size. 

GM recognizes therefore the skills and expertise of highly qualified engineers to Opel, "said Dan Nicholson.

This is the comment of the head of the Opel works council, Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug: "The negotiations on the collective agreement of Opel formed the basis for the decision to invest in a new center Thrusters here in Rüsselsheim. 

This will ensure and broaden the employment opportunities in the center of development. I am therefore particularly pleased to participate today in the ceremony of the roof of the building. "

"The new center will further enhance the Thrusters primary role of the International Center of Technological Development of the plant in Rüsselsheim and the considerable expertise of Opel in R & D. 

Beyond that, Rüsselsheim remains synonymous with innovative technology and pioneering projects, "concluded Patrick Burghardt, mayor of Rüsselsheim.

In addition to the workshop and area dedicated to offices, the new complex will include three wings with test benches and a technical center. 

The complex will cover a total area of ​​about 36,000 square meters. Among other things, the new center will also host 43 test benches of the latest generation to measure the performance of the engines.

The ceremonial start of work was held last summer and since then construction activities continued without incident for a total of 180,000 hours worked.

The new complex is part of a series of investments of total value of 230 million euros for the construction of new facilities development and testing at the International Center of Technological Development and testing center of Rodgau-Dudenhofen. 

Most of the amount allocated, or 210 million euros, will be invested in the site in Rüsselsheim. The complex will cover an area of ​​about 13,000 square meters to the south of the railway line and west of Gate 45 of Rüsselsheim, parallel to Rugbyring. 

This is the largest investment made in the construction of the new opening Rüsselsheim

production plant, in 2002.

The site is integrated into the global network engineering of GM Powertrain. The international synchronization of software and test methods, therefore, allows to analyze the results and implement the solutions optimally.