"Opel management has informed the workforce that full vehicle production at the Bochum plant will be discontinued after production of the Zafira model is scheduled to cease in 2016," the statement said.
Opel had already announced in June that it would stop building Zafira cars in Bochum in 2016. "The main reasons behind this decision are the dramatic decline in the European car market and the enormous over-capacity in the entire industry," Opel explained.
Despite "intensive efforts, we have been unable to change this situation." Last Friday (7 December), the works committee said the decision meant the entire site would be shut down with the loss of 3,000 jobs.
But management insisted that would not be the case as although vehicle production would cease, Bochum would still be used as a parts distribution centre.
"Indeed, in its new function, the plant could even be expanded as part of an initiative to secure existing jobs at Bochum and even create new ones," said head of GM Europe Steve Girsky. "It is our clear intention to safeguard the jobs of a significant number of Opel employees in Bochum," he added.
"Germany is our most important market, with around 20,000 employees, and is the backbone and home of our brand. That will remain true in the future," said Opel's deputy chief executive Thomas Sedran.
Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge
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