Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann at the plant in Spain Production of the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka is coming to Europe. GM’s plant in Zaragoza will start producing the successful small SUV in the second half of 2014. GM and Opel/Vauxhall leadership made this joint decision because of the high demand for the vehicle in Europe. At the same time, additional capacity for small SUVs will be created at the plant in Bupyeong that has been the unique source of production so far.
Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann said: “The decision for Zaragoza follows our company\'s strategy of building vehicles where we sell them. The enormous demand for the Mokka underlines the attractiveness of our vehicles, adds momentum to our product offensive and secures jobs in Europe. The decision will help address the underutilisation of available production capacity in Europe and therefore is good news for the entire organisation.”
Chairman of the European Employee Forum (EEF) Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug stated: “It is not only great news for Zaragoza but for all plants in view of the improved overall capacity utilisation. Opel/Vauxhall management has now fulfilled a long-standing request from the EEF to produce our small SUV in Europe. This is really a win-win situation for everybody in Opel/Vauxhall.”
In the initial phase, $80 million will be invested in Zaragoza for production. The decision to produce the Mokka in Europe is helping to safeguard 5,800 jobs in Opel’s Spanish plant, which is currently producing the Corsa and Meriva.
Since the launch of the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka in the summer of 2012, the vehicle has been a success. Not only is the stylish SUV popular with experts, but customers as well. The Mokka is among the three best-selling SUVs in several European markets.
While the initial European production will be based on CKD-kits (CKD = Completely Knocked Down), with parts coming from Korea, localisation will gradually increase.
“This is another great day for Opel/Vauxhall,” continued Neumann. “After the recent decision of GM to invest €4 billion in its European operations and an additional commitment to invest €230 million in the Development Centre in Ruesselsheim, Germany, this is further proof that we are on the right path.”
The biggest winners are Opel/Vauxhall customers and employees in Europe, added Neumann: “With this investment, we will be able to produce more Mokkas and to more quickly serve our customers.”