Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller said: “We have evaluated a solution in the context of a heavily decreasing workload from external parties in our R&D Center. Our duty and priority as a responsible management team has been to work hard on a project to safeguard highly qualified engineering jobs here in Rüsselsheim, while continuing to proudly develop our Opel future models and perform the tasks of the 15 Centers of Competence for the entire Groupe PSA. We will discuss this proposal of a strategic partnership with our social partners in detail.”
Laurent Germain, Group Managing Director of Segula Technologies added: “The potential strategic partnership is key to achieving our aim of becoming the world’s leading automotive solutions provider by 2023 with the creation of a core engineering center in Rüsselsheim, which’s scope would also cover new areas beyond the automotive industry to serve our customers worldwide. The recognised skills of the Opel engineers combined with Segula Technologies’ know-how, would allow us to set the standard and contribute to the development of the local economy in the long run, to meet our customer expectations in all our fields of activity.”
Christian Müller, Managing Director Engineering of Opel said: “Our R&D center in Rüsselsheim remains the heart of the Opel brand. Our engineers are committed to designing and developing future Opel models here, in addition to the takeover of global tasks for the entire Groupe PSA, e.g. through 15 Centers of Competence. Thus German engineering skills will benefit the entire company. At the same time, a strategic partnership would enable us to fully utilise our state-of-the-art engineering facilities and to overcome the overcapacity challenges ahead. We would give a solid future outlook to the engineering team of today.”