Opel and Labor Union Agree to Plan for Germany

OpelOpelGermany, 1863 > present85 models
5151 photos
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, General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
240 photos
and its German labor union IG Metall have agreed to a deal through 2016 that will mean no pay increases for workers but keep factories open in Germany.

GM promises to invest several billion euros into Opel over the next three years to invest in its future, but in return Opel must get its costs under control.

“General Motors fully supports Opel and is securing the necessary financing for the coming years, until we once again return to profitability,” said GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky

The biggest news from the plan is that the Bochum factory will remain open and producing the Zafira TourerOpel Zafira TourerGermany, 2011 > present2 photos
through 2016. Production will slowly wind down and go from three shifts to two in the second quarter of 2013. After that the factory will be converted to a warehouse and components plant. Opel reports that the Bochum factory has about 3,100 employees now, and it plans to reduce that to 600 workers in the warehouse and 600 workers in the components factory after 2016.

The Rüsselsheim factory will begin building a second car after 2015.

The Eisenach and Kaiserslautern will continue to operate as they have been.