GM to Add Two New Opel Astra Versions at Gliwice Plant

GLIWICE, Poland - General Motors Manufacturing Poland (GMMP) will start production of the new three-door Opel Astra GTC in mid-October, three months earlier than originally planned. The company aims to hire about 150 staff to cover increased production at the plant. The cabrio version of the Astra IV could enter production in Poland somewhere in 2012. The Astra H Cabrio was manufactured at Opel’s Antwerpen plant, which GM decided to close down in December.

The Gliwice factory, which currently builds third and fourth generation Oplel Astras, produced 158,700 units last year, which is 64.6% more compared to 2009, and only 7.5% less than in its record year of 2008. Over 95% of the 2010 output was exported. The production was dominated by the new Astra, which accounted for 76.1% of last year’s total output.