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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

General Motors Invests $300 Million In Automotive Testing and Development Centers in Russelsheim and Dudenhofen, Germany

06/20/2013
General Motors will invest approximately $300 Million in new testing facilities at the European Development Center at Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany and Opel proving ground in Dudenhofen, Germany, during the next four years.

The US automaker’s investment is a strong commitment to GM’s European Development Center and the center in Rüsselsheim, Germany. New dynamometers for engines will replace older equipment to allow for development of the following generation of powertrains for 2020 and beyond. More than that, flexible test cells will be implemented to enable improved operational efficiencies.

As part of the investment the proving grounds at Dudenhofen will also gain new capabilities, with a soak area, new workshop and vehicle dynamometers for important ultra-low emission testing.

“This significant investment will last for decades and it will secure the future of the European Product Development Center,” said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Opel CEO and President GM Europe. “The development done at Rüsselsheim will be on engines and transmissions for Europe and the rest of the world. This move will give us global responsibility in engine development,” he added.

GM plans a comprehensive investment program of about $5 Billion to support its operations in Germany and Europe during the next three to four years. “As a global automotive company GM needs a strong presence in Europe – in terms of design and development as well as manufacturing and sales,” said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “Opel is a key to our success and enjoys its parent company’s full support.”

“The automotive location of Rüsselsheim is a strong anchor for the industrial core of Hessen. As the Hessen Minister of Economics I am pleased that GM further strengthens the Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim with this long-term investment,” said Florian Rentsch, Hessen Minister of Economics, Transport, Urban and Regional Development.

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