Supervisory Board of Adam Opel AG elected Karl-Friedrich Stracke as the new head of the company. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO), he will be responsible for the worldwide business operations of Opel/Vauxhall.

The 54-year-old engineer succeeds Nick Reilly, who retains his position as President of GM Europe. “Opel has laid the foundations for a successful future and I feel honored by the decision of the Supervisory Board,” said Stracke. “I am confident that together we will be able to bring forward many initiatives for the benefit of our customers.”

A native of North Hesse in Germany, Karl-Friedrich Stracke joined Opel in 1979. Since 2009, he has been GM Vice President, Global Vehicle Engineering, responsible for product development and technology. Under his leadership, engineers and technicians worldwide have developed innovative vehicles and technologies, including the revolutionary Opel Ampera extended-range electric vehicle.

In addition, Nick Reilly has been elected Chairman of Opel’s Supervisory Board, succeeding Walter Borst, President and CEO of GM Asset Management, who will remain a Supervisory Board member.