June 27, 2002

Gerhard Hintermeier appointed Director of New Transmission Production Plant

120 million euros invested to secure jobs at the Rüsselsheim location

Rüsselsheim. Gerhard Hintermeier has been appointed Director of Opel Powertrain GmbH's new transmission production plant in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Series production start-up of the completely new six-speed manual gearbox is scheduled for the end of 2002. Approximately 300 employees will produce up to 230,000 units each year in three working shifts. The plant will therefore contribute significantly toward long-term job security in Rüsselsheim. Opel Powertrain GmbH's investment in the new plant amounts to around 120 million euros.

The six-speed manual gearbox will be installed in various GM models. At Opel, the all-new Vectra range will be the first to have this innovative transmission from next year on. It is ideal for transverse installation in all front-wheel-drive Opel models. Development of the new-generation transmission has been undertaken under the overall supervision of Opel Powertrain in co-operation with Saab Automobile Powertrain (Sweden), which is part of FIAT-GM Powertrain, the Joint Venture established between GM and FIAT Auto.

Plant Director Gerhard Hintermeier was born in 1960 in Vienna, Austria. After graduating in mechanical and industrial engineering, he started his career in 1981 by joining General Motors Austria's Wien-Aspern plant; later he moved to Opel Austria. In 2000 he came to Opel Powertrain GmbH in Rüsselsheim, where he was appointed Product Manager responsible for the1.0 and 1.2-liter ECOTEC gasoline engines.

Gerhard Hintermeier is married and has two children.