Currently reading: Vauxhall/Opel to cut 9000 jobs
GM European boss Nick Reilly informs workers of plans, consultation period begins

Vauxhall and Opel will shed around 9000 jobs across Europe, the company has confirmed.

The plans were outlined to Vauxhall and Opel workers' Employee's Forum by GM's European boss Nick Reilly this morning, and announced this afternoon.

Reilly said 50-60 per cent of the job losses would be in Germany, with the rest spread around the company's plants in Britain, Belgium, Spain and Poland. No further details were given on where the job losses would be concentrated, and no specific information on Vauxhall was released.

The specific numbers of job losses or plant closures could not be confirmed, as a period of consultation will now begin as those affected discuss their options.

However, Reilly identified only the Antwerp plant in Belgium as having an "uncertain" future. GM has agreed to set up a working group to assess prospects for the Belgian plant, Reilly said.

"We hope to finish the consultation some time in December - in the next two to three weeks," said Reilly. "We have had specific requests to provide more information to those affected, and that is what we must do next.

"Our objective is to create a viable and sustainable plan for Vauxhall-Opel. I believe that is doable and look forward to working with representatives to put this plan into effect."

Reilly also said GM's European headquarters would be based at Germany's Ruesselsheim plant, a move from Zurich, Switzerland.

He also confirmed that GM would now approach governments in countries where it has plants to discuss funding support. He added that GM itself was prepared to provide investment, despite having its own financial troubles and relying on US government support, as it would "make GM stronger globally".

GM is believed to need around 3.3 billion euros (£3bn) of funding to complete its restructuring plans for Vauxhall-Opel.

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FrankAlfa 25 November 2009

Re: Vauxhall/Opel to cut 9000 jobs

Just read that Fiat controlled Chrysler just stated that Chrysler showed a 3rd Quarter profit of $200 Million Dollars!

I also read not to long ago that GM posted a $1.8 BILLION DOLLAR LOSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for the 3rd Quarter and yet they were feeling "POSITIVE"!

What a JOKE GM are!

Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and SAAB have been driven right into the ground by GM!!!!!

In the end, Opel may turn our to be another SAAB Story! 9,000 FIRED NOW and who knows how many more next year????????????

FrankAlfa 25 November 2009

Re: Vauxhall/Opel to cut 9000 jobs

What is wrong with GM, the German Government & the German Unions??? The SAD truth is Fiat was willing give Opel a new European Owner! They had a busness plan in hand to meet the expectations of both the German Government and the Unions at the time but GM, the German Goverment & the German Unions rejected Fiat's offer! When I first listened to all of the comments made by the German Goverment and the German Unions at the time it seemed purely a case of the Germans not wanting Italians owning this GM Germany company. They had great distain for Fiat and things Italian thinking that things German are superior. The German Goverment and the German Unions showed great distain for Fiat and the Italians. GM killed the deal at the last minute by demanding another $500,000.00 chunk of cash! Fiat promised to work with both the British and German Governments and layoff no more than 4,000 jobs. They also said they would keep the plans open! This is a Lose / Lose situation for all parties all around! I am an American and I have seen a very detailed business plan brought forward and made very public by Fiat / Chrysler. I have seen nothing but chaos at GM with NO BUSINESS PLAN and no public statement about their "Business Plan"! More Power to the Fiat / Chrysler, LLC. Company! Hope they hire back Chrysler Employees and grow the company! GM are idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

crashbangwallop 25 November 2009

Re: Vauxhall/Opel to cut 9000 jobs

Tough as this will be on those who lose their jobs, the question may be that this reduction might not be sufficient. Over capacity is an issue for GM, Opel/Vauxhall. They need to shrink costs and to do this some factory closures looked necessary. With only Antwerp looking likely to shut, it may be that GM will be forced into a further round of cuts and closures in the near future. Given all the heat and noise generated by the on off sale, doing it all in one big go would have been a better management decision. and they still have to decide what to do about Saab.