Opel/Vauxhall pledges new products,

[rickaren]

Opel/Vauxhall CEO pledges new products, global role

Posted on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 12:59 PM EST.(Employee News)

Opel/Vauxhall will become a global company with a new marketing message and the gaps in its product and powertrain lineup filled, CEO Nick Reilly said in a letter to the company’s 48,000 employees, Automotive News reported.

Reilly urged staff to adopt a “winner” mentality as he tries to turn around the money-losing European division of General Motors Co., but warned that the automaker faces a difficult year in Europe where he expects new-car sales to fall by 1.5 million, the trade paper said. “It is time for Opel/Vauxhall to be clear winners again and to be recognized as clear winners,” Reilly said in a personal message to Opel/Vauxhall employees.

Reilly will present his restructuring proposals for Opel the end of the month, the Automotive News said. His plan is expected to include the elimination of 8,300 jobs and the closure of Opel’s Antwerp, Belgium, factory, the story said.

Reilly said Opel will have more autonomy and look for opportunities to sell its vehicles outside Europe, the paper said. Opel managers and labor representatives have complained that decisions affecting Opel have been taken in Detroit without fully understanding what Opel needs to compete in Europe, the story said. (Automotive News)