Fritz Henderson Starts German Tour

American manufacturer's GM CEO, Fritz Henderson, will begin his "our way is better" convincing tour today, with the first trips planned for Germany. His mission? To seek out new life and... No sorry... His goal is to convince the increasing number of Opel workers that their yet-to-be-presented reorganization plan is better than what Magna had in mind.

Henderson faces a tough trip, with attacks on GM's decision poised to come from all sides, including from the German government. Especially because now Opel seeks the same amount of independence as it would have gotten under Magna.

"GM does not enjoy any credibility or faith in the eyes of the public or the government, so they now have to consider whether they now want to seek confrontation or cooperation by finding a common solution," Klaus Franz, Opel labor chief was quoted as saying by Autonews.

As for the awaited GM plan, the same Franz says it lacks essential provisions, unlike Magna's.

"Magna wanted to develop a minicar below the Agila, two further niche models, two new engines, a double-clutch transmission and an expansion of engineering R&D," he told the source.

"GM's plan foresaw no cabrio, a reduction in the product range, slashing the development budget, and transferring powertrain technology to the V8 specialists in the USA."

GM's decision led last week to the first casualty, Carl-Peter Forster. The GM Europe CEO announced he will leave the carmaker, after fighting a "physically and emotionally" exhausting battle to give Opel a new start.