GM and its Opel Subsidiary Respond to Lopez's Resignation from VW

12/03/96

Reuters reports that German carmaker Opel responded to Friday's news of Jose Ignacio Lopez's resignation from his position as Volkswagen's production chief by saying that his resignation could not compensate it for the damages GM incurred as a result of Lopez's actions.

Opel maintains that Lopez and seven of his colleagues stole industrial secrets from Opel and delivered them to VW in March 1993 when they quit Opel to work for VW. Opel initiated legal proceedings against Lopez on charges of industrial espionage in April 1993.

Opel's statement regarding Lopez's resignation says, "the resignation of Lopez is three years overdue and cannot compensate our company for the losses incurred to date."

Opel also said that clarification was needed about why VW's management stood by Lopez for so long.

GM's statement regarding the resignation was three sentences long and was issued by GM spokesman John Mueller: "The resignation of VW management board member Jose Ignacio Lopez de Arriortua is a long-overdue first step that has been needlessly delayed for more than three years. The harm caused to GM and Opel by the wrongful conduct of Lopez and his collaborators remains to be remedied. It is now time for Volkswagen management to address the real issues in this matter in a responsible manner rather than continue to create irrelevant side issues."

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel