GM is considering building a compact SUV model in Antwerp from 2010 to increase capacity utilisation at the plant.
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According to a report in Automobilwoche, Opel works council chief Klaus Franz has said that the new model would be branded Opel and would fit in below the Antara, which is built in South Korea.
GM has already guaranteed the plant an annual volume of 120,000 units of “two models of a new generation vehicle” from one of GM’s global architectures for the European market. They are expected to be branded as both Opel and Chevrolet models. Antwerp will be the only plant producing these models for the full life-cycle of the new product. The compact SUV model would be based on a lengthened version of the Corsa. There would be front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the car.
Last month GM Europe president Carl-Peter Forster said that GM Europe would review the potential for additional models at the plant, if productivity at the plant could be improved. This includes the determination of a future three-shift-model, which also is dependent on technical capabilities, financially viable options and the detailed work organisation.
Antwerp will cease producing the Astra when the next generation model is introduced in 2009. 1,400 of a total of 4,500 jobs will go before the end of this year as production is reduced from three to two shifts.
