GM CEO confirms massive investment at Russelsheim for a new Flagship SUV.

• GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra announces production of a new SUV in  Rüsselsheim
• Considerable investments in engine and transmission production in the Rüsselsheim, Kaiserslautern and Tychy plants
• Third shift at the Eisenach plant will be added next year
• Clear commitment to Opel/Vauxhall, Germany and Europe

During her second visit to Germany this year, Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, announced considerable additional investments. Barra confirmed that a new model will be produced at Opel’s traditional headquarters in Rüsselsheim by the end of the decade. 

“This SUV will be the second flagship alongside the Insignia,” Barra said. 

As announced in March, 245 million euro will be invested in Opel’s Rüsselsheim plant to meet future requirements. Furthermore, Barra declared additional investments of more than half a billion euro in the engine and transmission plants in Rüsselsheim, Kaiserslautern and Tychy (Poland), thus providing the impetus for Opel/Vauxhall to move to the next stage of its powertrain offensive with fuel efficient engines and transmissions.

“Opel/Vauxhall is of high strategic importance for GM. The product offensive with 27 new models and 17 new engines has enjoyed a very successful start. These additional investments will help the brands shine again and further strengthen our position in Europe. 

They are a clear sign of GM’s commitment to Opel/Vauxhall, to Germany and to Europe,” said Barra.

Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann was delighted by the clear message: “General Motors and Opel/Vauxhall are closer than ever before. Opel/Vauxhall has General Motors’ full support, the additional investments are further proof of the excellent cooperation.”

Both Mary Barra and Dr. Neumann pointed out that all necessary decisions were taken after a constructive dialog with employee representatives. They recognized the cooperation with the European employee representatives and Opel/Vauxhall’s general works council.

Dr. Neumann also announced that a third shift will be established at the plant in Eisenach as of mid-2015. “This is good news for Eisenach as we are enjoying strong demand for the ADAM and the new Corsa.”

Mary Barra expressed her delight with the new Corsa, adding that 45,000 orders before the official market launch show that the fifth generation of the small car is well on its way to becoming a bestseller.