IG Metall wants Opel Bochum to become powertrain plant

Union looks to convince GM's management that the plant would be best used by becoming a facility to manufacture gearboxes or diesel engines

Germany's main industrial union IG Metall has suggested that the Bochum plant, which has been earmarked for closure by parent company General Motors (GM), be allocated powertrain production. According to a report in German newspaper Handelsblatt, the union is looking to convince GM's management that the plant would be best used by becoming a facility to manufacture gearboxes or diesel engines, according to comments attributed to IG Metall representative Knut Giesler. Such a plan would see between 400 and 500 staff retained at the plant.