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ZURICH, Switzerland, TROLLHATTAN, Sweden and RUSSELSHEIM, Germany, March 4, 2005 /PRNewswire via AP/
General Motors (GM) announced today the decision to build selected Opel and Saab models based on a common architecture at its Russelsheim plant in Germany, beginning in 2008. Objective, in-depth analysis was conducted over the past several months to determine which of the current two assembly plants (Trollhattan, Sweden and Russelsheim, Germany) presented the best overall business case for GM's future production needs in Europe.
"Both plants presented compelling business cases but, in the end, the scale for this particular allocation tipped in favor of Russelsheim," said Fritz Henderson, chairman of General Motors Europe.
At the same time, GM confirmed its commitment to the Saab brand and the Trollhattan production facility. A major initiative is expected for the expansion of the Saab model line-up. In addition, GM will build the all-new Cadillac BLS, which made its world premiere as a show car at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, in Trollhattan beginning 2006. Furthermore, the company today committed to build selected Saab vehicles in Trollhattan through 2010.
"We are committed to the Saab brand and a competitive operation in Sweden," said Carl-Peter Forster, president of General Motors Europe. "The 9- 3 and 9-5 will continue to be core products for the Saab brand, and will be renewed, but we will add a premium cross-over vehicle in the near future to complement this lineup. Furthermore, we will make every attempt to allocate additional future products to this facility."
The decision to build Opel and Saab models in Russelsheim was based upon extensive analysis of numerous factors including capacity requirements, investment, labor costs, plant efficiency and flexibility, working-hour models, logistics and currency issues, to name but a few. The study revealed that the best business case for this product allocation is the Russelsheim plant, which will be able to substantially improve its productivity.
"Both facilities put their best foot forward. The business case over time for the Russelsheim facility was approximately euro 200 million more cost effective than that of the Trollhattan facility," said Henderson.
The capabilities demonstrated at GM's Trollhattan plant and its available capacity made it a natural choice for production of the Cadillac BLS. The Cadillac BLS rounds out the American luxury brand's range with a high- performance, front-wheel drive vehicle tailored to European needs. It is one of around 45 new models and variants that GM will introduce in Europe over the coming five years.
SOURCE General Motors Corporation
Tony Cervone, +41 44 828 2500, cell phone: +41 79 799 1979, tony.cervone@ch.gm.com , or Rudiger Assion, +41 44 828 2588, cell phone: +41 79 375 8808, ruediger.assion@ch.gm.com , both of General Motors Corporation
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