Opel is expanding its operation in Szentgotthárd in Hungary. With an investment of 500 million euro, the site, built in 1990, will be expanded and prepared for the construction of three new engine families characterized by low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.
The new plant will offer 800 jobs. Production of the engines will begin at the end of 2012. At full capacity, the plant has an output of 500,000 units annually.
Opel announced its investment today at a joint press conference with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, at the parliament in Budapest.
The car maker will build a family of small gasoline engines, a family of medium-sized gasoline engines and a family of medium-sized diesel engines at the plant. The new engines will be installed in various Opel models, from the small Corsa to the mid-sized Insignia.
Opel continues to improve the efficiency of all its internal combustion engines and transmissions. One important step is the concept of “right-sizing” whereby powertrains with larger displacement are replaced by smaller, turbo-charged engines. These engines will fulfill Euro 6 emissions standards, add direct injection to gasoline powertrain, secure a low power/weight ratio, provide smooth running and substantially reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Engine production will be highly flexible to an extent unprecedented so far. The high degree of adaptability allows a rapid change in production schedules so that Opel can respond to fluctuations in powertrain demand instantaneously.
“The cutting edge technology planned with a new investment and the high degree of flexibility will make Szentgotthárd one of the most modern engine plants worldwide,” says Reinald Hoben, Opel/Vauxhall Vice President Manufacturing.
The plant will work according to the lean production system introduced worldwide within the GM manufacturing network which ensures maximum quality in every individual work step, a high degree of employee motivation, continuous improvement and just-in-time delivery of components and materials.
The engines will be transported by rail to Opel/Vauxhall plants in Germany, Great Britain, Poland and Spain.
