GM Europe

Ruesselsheim to add next Astra Generation, Trollhättan builds Saab 9-3

Ruesselsheim, 2008-06-20 -- Today, GME President Carl-Peter Forster announced two significant production allocations at an all employee meeting in Ruesselsheim, Germany. The plant in Ruesselsheim, Germany, now preparing for the production launch of the new Opel Insignia, will also manufacture the next generation Astra coming into market as of 2010. Other GME compact car plants are Bochum, Germany, Ellesmere Port, UK, Gliwice, Poland and Trollhättan, Sweden. The production of the next generation SAAB 9-3 has been allocated to the plant in Trollhättan.

General Motors Powertrain Europe opens its doors for Tech Show

Turin, Italy 2008-05-15 -- GM Powertrain Europe’s comprehensive Tech Show provides answers about how cars will be propelled in the future. As part of the global GM Powertrain organization, GM Powertrain Europe has global responsibility for small diesel engines, diesel control systems, small gasoline engines and manual transmissions. Its footprint encompasses 15 facilities in 7 European countries, employing 9,000 people and producing on average more than 17,000 engines and transmissions per day.

HydroGen4

Highlights:
• A variety of concepts for upcoming propulsion needs

Zurich / Rüsselsheim, 2008-05-15 -- As of June 1, Joe Jacuzzi (40) will be responsible for all brand, product development and technology communications for GM Europe (GME). In his new function as General Director GME Product and Brand Communications, Jacuzzi will move to Ruesselsheim Germany, and will also be the lead communications executive for the Ruesselsheim campus.

Highlights:
- Rene Kreis appointed Director of Opel Communications
- Stefan Weinmann to head up Communications Operations

1.4-Liter Turbo for Global Applications and 1.6-Liter CNG Turbo To Debut in Opel Zafira

Turin, Italy, 2008-05-15 – General Motors Corp. (GM) will introduce, starting in 2009, two new engines with significant fuel efficiency gains for vehicles marketed in Europe and other regions. The announcement was made this week at a GM Powertrain Europe event showcasing its comprehensive line-up of advanced propulsion technologies currently under development.

The 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be used in vehicles worldwide starting in 2010. The 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be introduced in the Opel Zafira in 2009. Both engines are new variants of GM’s existing engine families used globally.

Rüsselsheim 2008-04-30 -- General Motors Europe will invest a total of €9 billion into Opel through 2012, thus strengthening its core brand. €6.5 billion alone will be spent on the development of new vehicles and propulsion systems. In addition, the company is investing considerably into its German plants, Rüsselsheim, Bochum, Kaiserslautern and Eisenach.

Highlights:
* Product offensive with 20 new models
* Growth strategy for German market
* Contracts for the future to safeguard production locations
* Extended-range electric vehicle being developed

Sets Records in Three of Four Regions

DETROIT, 2008-04-23 -- General Motors (GM) sold 2.25 million cars and trucks around the world in the first quarter of 2008, according to preliminary sales figures released today, with a record 64 percent of all sales occurring outside the United States. GM global first quarter sales were down less than one percent. Robust first quarter sales in GM's Latin America, Africa and Middle East (GMLAAM) and Asia Pacific (GMAP) regions, and improved sales in the GM Europe (GME) region helped offset a 10 percent decline in GM North America (GMNA). Sales outside GMNA were up 8 percent compared with last year.

Highlights:

Opel engine mounting and bionic bone chair on display in New York MoMA

Rüsselsheim/New York, 2008-04-11-- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York currently is exhibiting a chair designed by Dutch artist Joris Laarman, but created with the help of automotive engineer Dr. Lothar Harzheim, GM Europe Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim. The exhibit is part of a special MoMA exhibition, “Design and the Elastic Mind” (February 24 – May 12, 2008).

A chair is created by evolution...: The exhibit is part of a special MoMA exhibition, “Design and the Elastic Mind” February 24 – May 12, 2008 (Material: Aluminium, Artist: Joris Laarman, Photo Source: GM)

Highlights:

Zurich, 2008-04-09 -- In the first quarter of 2008, General Motors (GM) Europe sales reached an all-time record of 572,137 vehicles*, an increase of 18,111 units compared to Q1 2007. The company market share was 9.6 percent.

Highlights:
# GM Europe Q1 volume of 572,137 is the highest ever Q1 volume
# Chevrolet Europe Q1 sales up 30 percent to a record market share of 2.2 percent
# GM Russia sales up 78 percent
# Cadillac’s European sales up 13 percent in the first three months
# HUMMER sales in Europe increase by 59 percent compared to Q1 2007

2008-01-09, Zurich -- General Motors (GM) sets all-time sales record in Europe in 2007, with 2,182,000* vehicles, up 179,000 units or 8.9 percent from 2006. The resultant market share of 9.5 percent constitutes a growth of 0.3 point. It is the highest market share for the group since 1999. In the forth quarter of 2007, GM sold a record 528,723 cars and LCVs in Europe, 53,900 vehicles or 11.3 percent above the same period in 2006.

Hightlights:
* GM sets all-time record with sales of 2,182,000 units in Europe, market share up to 9.5 percent
* GM records highest volume gain in European auto industry, with 179,000 units above 2006
* GM doubles sales in Russia, with market share up to 9.6 percent

ZURICH, Switzerland, December 10/PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- - Sales of 2,004,172 units from January to November beat last year's total with a month to spare.

Highlights:
- GM Europe YTD share up 0.3 point, at 9.5 percent
- GM Europe YTD sales 157,282 vehicles ahead of last year
- YTD: Opel/Vauxhall grows 4 percent, Chevrolet up 32 percent

General Motors (GM) Europe set a new all-time record, with sales of 2,004,172 vehicles from January to November 2007, beating last year's total with a month to spare. The resulting market share of 9.5 percent is 0.3 point above the same period last year and the highest since 1999.

2007-12-05 -- Zurich - Effective February 1, 2008, J. Christopher Preuss, currently Executive Director of Global Product and Brand Communications for GM, is appointed GM Europe Vice President, Communications. He replaces Julie Hamp, who is leaving GM after 25 years to assume the communications leadership role at PepsiCo.

Chris Preuss, 41, will be responsible for the management of all internal and external communications activities for General Motors and its brands in Europe, including Chevrolet, Opel/Vauxhall and Saab.