General Motors Plans to Set Up Plant in CEE

F.A.
Ziarul BURSA #English Section / 13 iulie 2007

General Motors Corp, the world"s largest car maker, has announced it is considering setting up a manufacturing plant in Central and Eastern Europe. The group has launched a study that will look at seven Central and Eastern European countries including Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania, according to Thomson Financial.

"We are at the beginning of our study. We will not say any more than that for the time being," said GM spokesperson Zoltan Kaszas from the group"s Central European headquarters in Budapest.

Initially, GM was interested in aquiring a 72.4% stake in Automobile Craiova. But the company considered both the risks and opportunities involved in taking over the plant in Craiova and decided to back out of the race.

In Central and Eastern Europe, General Motors owns one assembly plant located in Gliwice, Poland, which manufactures three Opel models. Last autumn, GM signed a deal with Ukrainian carmaker UkrAvto to have the Chevrolet models made in Poland. The production of the Aveo model is due to begin at a plant close to Warsaw this autumn. GM also has a joint venture with AvtoVAZ, the largest Russian car maker, which manufactures the Chevrolet Niva model. The largest GM plants in Europa are located in Germany and Spain.

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