Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel Visits Opel in Rüsselsheim

RÜSSELSHEIM, GERMANY – March 31, 2009: Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel today visited the Opel Insignia production site in Rüsselsheim, stopping by to briefly chat with employees along the assembly line. She was accompanied during her 90 minute visit by Hessen’s State Premier Roland Koch, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung as well as Hessen’s Economic Minister Dieter Posch.

The federal and state politicians toured the Insignia assembly line in the highly modern automobile production factory. The Insignia, launched in November and winner of the European Car of the Year 2009, already has received well more than 80,000 orders.

After taking a peek at future Opel models, Merkel and Koch, along with GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster, Opel Managing Director Hans Demant and Works Council head Klaus Franz spoke before a crowd of 3,000 employees and invited guests in a factory hall.

Forster thanked the chancellor and the state premier for their visit and their interest in Opel. In his speech, he underscored that Opel already has taken decisive steps: “During the current discussions it is quickly forgotten that Opel already has done so much of its homework. Independent experts confirm the high quality of our products. Opel automobiles regularly belong to the winners of tough comparison tests made by critical specialist media. On the corporate side, we have set also in place important steps in order to consolidate Opel together with its European production network and National Sales Companies into a broadly independent unit.”

Klaus Franz said: “We support the proposals from Mr. Koch to secure long-term and sustainable investments through state loan guarantees.” The investments will pay off, because Opel is being led through the right plan for the future with competitive products and people who stand behind their company.