GM’s Opel unit has said that it is planning to invest some EUR130m in its German engine and parts plant in Kaiserslautern to buy new tooling and machinery.
The investment will be used to produce body and chassis parts for the next-generation Astra and Insignia models as well as building the next generation Euro 6 compliant 2-litre diesel engines starting in October 2014.
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Opel said that all four of the competence centres that make up the Opel plant in Kaiserslautern will benefit from the investment: engine manufacturing, bodywork components and seat manufacture, the building of chassis components and the press shop.
Karl-Thomas Neumann said: “Kaiserslautern delivers high tech products to our automobile production plants which are of the highest quality. In this way, the plant makes a significant contribution to the success of our automobiles and to our product offensive which will secure the launch of 23 new models and 13 new power units over the course of the coming years.”
“I am delighted that a major employer of the region is investing in the future for the long-term and in doing so, securing employment. This is evidence of the attractiveness of Kaiserslautern and speaks for the strong skills base of our employees,” said State Prime Minister Malu Dreyer.
Loss-making Opel has been the subject of speculation over further cost-cutting measures, but GM appears also to recognise that it has to continue to invest in Europe in order to maintain its competitive position.
