GM Investing €230 million to Build New Opel Development Center

General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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has agreed to invest €230 million into a new European Development Center for OpelOpelGermany, 1863 > present85 models
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and VauxhallVauxhallUnited Kingdom, 1857 > present31 models
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. Most of the money will go towards a new dynamometer lab in Rüsselsheim and a new chassis-testing center at the Dudenhofen proving grounds. It will take three to four years for the upgrades to be completed.

GM hopes to use more common tools and parts when building cars worldwide, and it hopes that the new center leads to better efficiency in building cars in Europe. The first components developed in the upgraded center are expected in 2020. GM wants to share powertrain development among its centers in Pontiac, Michigan, and Torino, Italy. 

In addition to the dyno and chassis lab, it will also add a new fuel station, audio lab and safety analysis building. The Dudenhofen proving grounds will get a new soak area, new workshop and dynamometers for low emissions testing.

“This significant investment will last for decades and it will secure the future of the European Product Development Center. 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”, said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.

This money comes in addition to the €4 billion that GM promised to Opel for operations and development between 2013 and 2016.