General Motors is to spend EUR230m (US$300m) at its European Product Development Centre at the Opel headquarters in Ruesselsheim and at the proving ground in Dudenhofen.

The investment will be made over the next three to four years and follows a visit to the European operations two weeks ago by GM’s board of directors which also committed to spend EUR4bn (US$5.2bn) on future product between 2013 and 2016.

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The announcement is a further step in GM’s efforts to strengthen Opel/Vauxhall operations and will enable the brands to develop next generation engines and compliance with European and global emission regulations. The investment includes a new fuel station, audio lab and safety analysis building.

Opel CEO and president of GM Europe Karl-Thomas Neumann said: “This investment will last for decades and it will secure the future of the European Product Development Centre.”

New engine dynamometers will replace older equipment to allow for development of the following generation of powertrains for 2020 and beyond. In addition, flexible test cells will enable improved operational efficiencies and will be linked to GM’s powertrain facilities in the US and Italy.

The proving grounds at Dudenhofen will gain a new soak area, new workshop and vehicle dynamometers for ultra-low emission testing. The globally common GM equipment will also allow similar test procedures and comparable data.

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Earlier this week, the management board and the works council agreed to more flexible working conditions at the development centre in Ruesselsheim.

The spend is still subject to the approval of the Opel supervisory board.