7.2.2002
GM Europe and Fiat Auto to set up new joint project center for small vehicle components

GM Europe and Fiat Auto have agreed on setting up a joint project center for developing specific common components and systems as a basis for engineering their respective future small vehicle entries.

GM Europe and Fiat Auto have agreed on setting up a joint project center for developing specific common components and systems as a basis for engineering their respective future small vehicle entries. The joint development effort is focused only on components and technology that will not impact the brand specificity of the respective future vehicles and will allow the Companies to realize significant efficiencies. The output of this joint effort will eventually be used by the individual Opel and Fiat engineering centers as a starting basis to engineer distinctive vehicles unique to each brand in this important vehicle class, such as the Opel / Vauxhall Corsa and the Fiat Punto.

For this upfront common component development effort, a dedicated joint project center is currently being established in Turin, Italy. It will be headed by Ulrich Schmalohr, currently Opel's Chief Engineer for Small Cars, while Giorgio Comacchia of Fiat will assume responsibility as Chief Engineer in the new joint development team, which is starting work immediately. In total, around 100 engineers and other personnel coming from both companies will be dedicated to this activity.

GM and Fiat formed a strategic industrial alliance in March 2000, aimed at achieving significant synergies in areas such as purchasing, powertrain, and financial services. As part of this ongoing effort, other cooperative activities have been developing rapidly, such as the establishment of a project center at Saab in Gothenburg, Sweden for developing common components and systems for future premium cars.