BERLIN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Opel and Segula Technologies have signed a contract to enter into a new strategic partnership to cooperate on research and development (R&D), the German carmaker announced on Thursday.
"This marks an important step to secure highly-qualified jobs in the areas of research and development at the Ruesselsheim and Dudenhofen locations," a statement by Opel read. No information was provided about the value of the deal which is expected to be finalized in the second quarter (Q2) of 2019.
The move follows an earlier announcement by Opel in September that it was mulling a far-reaching partnership with the French engineering company Segula Technologies at the Ruesselsheim development center. The division at the carmakers corporate headquarters has witnessed a steep decline in external orders, resulting in excess R&D capacities at the site.
According to Opel, Segula Technologies is now planning to build a European engineering campus and Center of Excellence in Ruesselheim. The French company intends to take over 2,000 workers from the Opel development center, as well as some assets from its vehicle- and propulsion development facilities towards this end.
The French PSA group, Opel's parent company, emphasized that the Ruesselsheim development center would remain at the center of its global R&D activities after the conclusion of the transaction. The site will continue to provide design and development services for future Opel and Vauxhall models, as well as being responsible for developing a new motor family and series of light-duty utility vehicle for the entire automotive group.
In spite of a formal agreement between PSA and Opel not to close any factories in Germany and to refrain from further involuntary lay-offs until 2023, the Opel workers' council has previously repeatedly urged the management board of the company to clarify reports that it plans to sell parts of the Ruesselsheim-based development center. "A sell-off of the Opel development branch would rob Opel of its future," the workers' council warned at the time.
Opel emphasized on Thursday that the guarantees made so far would retain their validity after the deal with Segula Technologies, and noted it continued to engage in related "talks and negotiations" with labor representatives.
