GM Names New Opel Production Chief

General Motors Co. has appointed Phil Kienle to oversee manufacturing for Opel/Vauxhall beginning March 1.

Kienle currently heads manufacturing for GM International and GM China. In his new role, he will replace Peter Thom, who will take over as GM’s vice president of North America Quality next month.

Keinle’s arrival at Opel comes as the unit hopes to break even for the first time after more than a decade of losses. He also will help launch what Opel describes as its most aggressive new-product program ever: the debut of 29 new or refreshed models by the end of the decade.