GM Korea Won't Move Production to Europe

Sergio Rocha, CEO of General Motors Co.'s South Korean unit, says GM does not plan to shift vehicle production now done in Korea to its factories in Europe.

Rocha tells reporters that GM Korea's unions have threatened "war" if such work were to be moved out of the country.

GM's European unions have suggested shifting production of Chevrolet models sold in Europe from Korea to the underutilized plants of the company's money-losing Adam Opel operations there. Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke said earlier this month the unit is consulting with GM officials in Asia and Detroit about whether such a move makes sense.

Separately, GM plans to double the size of its design center in Incheon, Korea, to include new modeling studios and display spaces. The expanded facility will maintain its focus on visualization technologies and advanced design, according to the company.

The Incheon center is GM's global center for small car design. The staff there has done interior and exterior styling for the latest-generation Chevrolet Aveo, Cruze and Spark cars.