As speculation intensifies on the future of PSA-owned Opel’s R&D facility at Ruesselsheim, in Germany, a statement from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy in Berlin says the department is closely monitoring developments.
“Of course, we are closely following the further developments at Opel,” the ministry’s statement, sent to just-auto, said.
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“We have always made it clear that the aim must be to secure jobs and locations in Germany. That continues to be our attitude,” the statement added.
Earlier this week, it emerged that strategic options are being considered for the future of the facility, with suggestions that parts of it could be sold on. A report in French daily newspaper Le Monde said that Opel and PSA Group had approached engineering contractors about a sale that would include four separate parts valued at EUR500m.
In a statement Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller said that “engineering is and will stay at the core of Opel” and that “all future Opel models will be developed here in Ruesselsheim. Furthermore, we are taking over numerous important tasks for the entire Groupe PSA.”
He also said that workload from GM will decrease ‘drastically’ over the coming years and that options are being explored to create a viable engineering centre.
See also: IG Metall “totally surprised” by Opel R&D sale speculation
Opel union boss blasts R&D centre sale plan
