Tag Archives: Industry

post

Stellantis To Split Two Of Opel’s Biggest German Plants, Unions Fear Closure

Posted on by

Stellantis is considering splitting two of Opel’s German plants, in Russelsheim and Eisenach, as it faces accusations from unions of using chip shortage-related furloughs there to break an agreement it had previously struck with the brand’s workers.

A Stellantis spokesperson told Reuters that the plants, one of which, the one in Russelsheim, is the carmaker’s largest, would no longer be part of Opel Automobile GmbH but would remain linked to Stellantis, saying that talks were underway with unions about the plan.

“The advantages associated with this more efficient and flexible organization should contribute to securing jobs in the long-term,” the spokesperson said.

Read Also: The Chip Shortage Could Cost The Auto Industry $210 Billion This Year

The news comes after unions expressed concerns that Stellantis would shut down the Eisenach plant permanently after announcing a three-month-long temporary shut down, which it blamed on the global chip shortage.

To be sure, the chip shortage has affected plants around the world, but workers accused Stellantis of exploiting Germany’s furlough rules to move production out of the plants. Already, the company has moved production of the Opel Grandland X out of Eisenach to its facility in Sochaux, France.

Although that move is officially temporary, workers fear that it will become permanent. Stellantis is bound by an agreement it struck last year not to lay any workers off at Opel‘s German plants until 2025, but workers worry that it might be using the excuse of the chip shortage to circumvent that agreement. Analysts say that it has an overcapacity problem that could lead to plant shutdowns.

Stellantis, meanwhile, argues that it is simply reacting to the global supply shortage.

“The global automotive industry is in an exceptional situation due to the ongoing pandemic and a global shortage of semiconductors,” the company told Reuters in a statement. “Production in Eisenach is scheduled to start again at the beginning of 2022, provided the supply chain situation allows.”

For GREAT deals on a new or used Chevrolet check out Allen Gwynn Chevrolet TODAY!

post

Luc Donckerwolke Becomes Genesis’ Chief Brand Officer As Well As Its Chief Creative Officer

Posted on by

The man perhaps most publicly associated with Genesis, Luc Donckerwolke, is having his role at the brand expanded. Effective September 1, the Chief Creative Officer at Genesis and the Hyundai Motor Group will also be known as Genesis’ Chief Brand Officer.

“It is a great honor to be given a chance to grow the Genesis brand around the globe, said Donckerwolke. “At Genesis, Design is Brand and Brand is Design. It is, therefore, logical to expand my leadership in design to the brand, to resonate more closely with our growing customer base and provide the best luxury experiences.”

Read Also: Luc Donckerwolke Rejoins Hyundai As Chief Creative Officer

As CCO, Donckerwolke used the design experience he gained in the design departments at a variety of luxury brands, including Bentley, Lamborghini, Skoda, and Audi to “oversee design-related communications within the group,” writes Genesis in a press release.

Now, he will also be responsible for leading Genesis‘ overall brand initiatives in the global market and “designing authentic relationships with customers.”

Genesis says that the move is a sign of its commitment to design and that, along with COO Mike Song, Donckerwolke has been tasked with increasing the brand’s presence worldwide and creating a consistent and refined brand experience.

Donckerwolke joined the Hyundai Motor Group in 2016, tasked with overseeing design at Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia before leaving in March 2020 to focus on his health. In November 2020, he chose to resume his career as Chief Creative Officer for the Hyundai Motor Group.