Opel Zafira production to be moved to Rüsselsheim

Will make Rüsselsheim the site to exclusively build the two largest and most work-intensive Opel model classes

General Motors (GM) has announced that it will move production of the Zafira multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) to its main Rüsselsheim facility when it closes the Bochum plant at the end of 2014. As well as the Rüsselsheim facility, the Vauxhall facility at Ellesmere Port in the UK had also reportedly been under consideration to manufacture the Zafira. The statement said, "This will make Rüsselsheim the site to exclusively build the two largest and most work-intensive Opel model classes -- the Opel flagship Insignia in all its versions and the Zafira Tourer," According to an unnamed board member whose comments were reported by Automobilwoche, Ellesmere Port, which currently builds the Astra, was the best solution financially but Rüsselsheim, which builds the Astra and the mid-sized Insignia, had a great deal going for it politically.