General Motors shifts production from Germany to Poland

German automotive magazine Automobilwoche has reported that by 2006 General Motors plans to move part of its minivan opel zafira production facility from Bochum to Poland. Representatives of Opel in Poland did not confirm the news, but the press office of the concern in Zurich said that a press release concerning the news would soon be issued. The Polish factory is believed to be the best within the whole concern in the world with regard to quality and efficiency. The Americans do not hide the fact that the poor financial results of Opel are mainly due to high remuneration of employees in Germany. "Workers' privileges in Germany are unacceptable and sooner or later manufacturing of cars will have to be fully moved to a cheaper place," said Bob Lutz, acting president of GM Europe. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) M.M.