Opel May Seek a Restructuring Pro As CEO

General Motors Co.'s Opel unit, which is seeking a new CEO, should talk to former GM global purchasing czar Bo Andersson, ex-Renault COO Patrick Pelata and former PSA marketing head Jean-Marc Gales, Automotive News opines.

Opel needs a permanent replacement for Karl-Friedrich Stracke, who was ousted earlier this month. The company's next CEO must cope with escalating pressure from GM to turn around the money-losing operation. Most of the rumored candidates have restructuring experience, and several have GM ties, AN notes.

Andersson left GM in mid-2009 to join Russia's OAO GAZ, where he is now president. Andersson restored profitability at GAZ through a massive overhaul that included shedding 36% of the company's workforce. AN says he has remained on friendly terms with his former colleagues.

Pelata is departing from Renault in mid-August. He stepped down as Renault's No. 2 executive in April 2011, taking the blame for a botched investigation of alleged corporate espionage. Pelata helped Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn restructure foundering Nissan in 1999.

Gales resigned as PSA's brand chief early this year to become CEO of Brussels-based European auto supplier group CLEPA. He previously held sales and marketing jobs at GM's Opel unit, Saab Automobile (then owned by GM), Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. His strength is international expertise rather than turnarounds, according to AN.

German media have speculated that Thomas Sedran, the Opel executive acting as interim chief, and former Mercedes-Benz executive Rainer Schmueckle are strong contenders for the post. Sedran advised GM as a restructuring consultant before joining Opel in April. Schmueckle is credited with overhauling Daimler's car and truck operations. He is now COO of Johnson Controls' automotive unit.