GM Turns Over European Operations to New Opel Group

General Motors Co. has combined its Opel, Vauxhall, GM Europe and Russian operations into a new organization called Opel Group GmbH.

The new entity also assumes economic responsibility for the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands in Europe. GM says Adam Opel's operations will be unaffected by the restructuring, which took effect on July 1 but was not announced until Monday.

Opel Group is to be based in Russelsheim, Germany, and headed by CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann. He had been been named chairman of Adam Opel early last year and is now CEO of the Opel Group management board.

Adam Opel's management board will lead the new organization. GM President Dan Ammann will continue as head of Adam Opel's supervisory board.

The restructuring, which took effect on July 1, aligns the legal, business and organizational structures. Neumann, who was named chair of Adam Opel AG 16 months ago, says the leaner architecture should streamline decision making and increase efficiency.