GENERAL Motors will use its Zaragoza plant in Spain to build the next-generation Opel Meriva.

It beat the manufacturer’s plant in Gliwice, Poland, with factors such as capacity requirements, investment, labour cost, plant efficiency and flexibility, working-hour models, logistics and currency issues taken into consideration.

GM Europe president Carl-Peter Forster said: ‘Both plants presented competitive business cases. On the structural cost side, as well as from a materials cost perspective, Gliwice clearly has an advantage. But the incremental investments, necessary to extend the plant’s capacity, became a key factor.’

However, despite the decision, GM has confirmed its commitment to the Gliwice site.