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Last week General Motors announced it will keep Opel instead of selling it, which has angered more than a few people, including GM Europe CEO Carl-Peter Forster. Forster announced he is leaving Opel because of the renewed uncertainty with GM’s decision to keep the German brand.
“We had negotiated a good restructuring plan, which was ready and on the table,” Forster told the German newspaper Bild. “Now there is a danger that the sensible distribution of the burden that had been agreed to will unravel, and the process will start all over again.”
Forster was openly critical of GM’s change of plans last week and decided to leave GM because of its decision. Although Forster is leaving the company, he will aid GM in the search for a new CEO outside GM’s own corporate ranks. Prior to GM’s decision to keep Opel, Forster was still a candidate to run the company if Magna International acquired a controlling share.
Inside sources say Forster will temporarily be replaced by Nick Reilly, president of GM International. Reilly will remain president of GM International, but will run GM Europe until Forster and GM CEO Fritz Henderson find a suitable replacement for Forster. Reilly headed GM Europe’s sales and marketing before he took his post as president of GM International in Shanghai.
“The past few years building the Opel brand has been a tremendous personal opportunity. We’ve seen great strides in design, quality, and technology and the launch of truly world-class products,” said Forster regarding his time at Opel. “It’s been an honor to be part of the history of Opel, and I wish all the people with the organization only the best in what I’m certain will be a great future.”
Source: GM, Automotive News
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