GM to Cut "Only" 9,000 Opel Jobs

General Motors finally paid back the loan it received from Germany to keep Opel alive and the company is now promising to cut fewer jobs across Europe. According to Autonews, the US-based manufacturer is looking at ways to eliminate only 9,000 to 9,500 jobs at Opel and Vauxhall, down from 10,000 jobs as it was initially expected.

Still, the restructuring plan is comprising a 20 to 25 percent production cut. The final reorganization plan is believed to be revealed by mid-December, according to Nick Reilly, the new Opel and Vauxhall CEO. Nevertheless, the involved parties will meet next week to discuss the terms of the plan and the possibility to get financing from countries hosting Opel factories.

Nick Reilly said in a statement that talks with unions and government officials are going well.

"So far, the response to my visits has been pretty positive, but I don’t want to underestimate the pain of employees who have been living in limbo for so long. They want concrete answers to how we will move ahead in the future; how Opel/Vauxhall and Chevrolet will interact in Europe; what will our future model portfolio be and how will these decisions affect them personally," he said.

"They are also frustrated that they are building the best cars Opel and Vauxhall have offered in recent years – like the Insignia and Astra – yet their efforts sometimes are overshadowed by corporate events."

General Motors announced earlier this month its decision to keep Opel and cancel a potential sale to Magna International, the Canadian - Austrian partsmaker that was expected to take control of a 55 percent stake in the German brand.