(Photo: Opel)

RUSSELSHEIM, Germany General Motors (GM) will invest 4 billion euros in their Opel operations in Germany and Europe through 2016.

The company announced the spending at a board meeting in a board of directors meeting in the German city of Rüsselsheim wher the Opel headquarters are located.

“As a global automotive company GM needs a strong presence in Europe – in terms of design and development as well as manufacturing and sales,” said Dan Akerson, Chairman and CEO of GM.

“Opel is a key to our success and enjoys its parent company’s full support.”

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The meeting was partly used to get updated information on how the companys DRIVE!2022 strategy is progressing. It is a 10-year plan the company is using to examine the challenges of the European automotive environment.

Like many other car companies Opel has struggled in the face of a recession in Europe.

“The Board of Directors is here to underline its solidarity and support. Opel has been part of GM since 1929 and is today more than ever a decisive element for the entire company’s innovative power,” stated Steve Girsky, Opel Supervisory Board Chairman.

The company also announced they are launching 3 new families of engines for 13 new engines total by the year 2016. The new engines will feature more aluminum parts that will reduce their weight by up to 20 kilograms, helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

They will also be introducing new drivetrains with designs to make both manual and automatic versions lighter and more fuel efficient.

The announcement also included an unveiling of a piece of the Berlin wall in front of the company headquarters.

CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann said, “The symbol should remind everyone that we overcome any walls in our heads and those between different cultures and that we are now starting a new chapter in the history of Opel.”