GM Europe Names New UK Chairman

General Motors Europe said Wednesday it has appointed Bill Parfitt, a veteran at the company, to chairman of U.K. operations.

FRANKFURT (AP) -- General Motors Europe said Wednesday it has appointed Bill Parfitt, a veteran at the company, to chairman of U.K. operations.

The news follows the recent announcement that Duncan Aldred was reappointed Vauxhall managing director. GM Europe said the managers would strengthen the Vauxhall brand.

"At this critical time of restructuring our European operation, Vauxhall stands out with a brand strength and loyal customer base that can continue to grow and strengthen," Nick Reilly, the president of GM Europe, said the statement.

General Motors Europe has said it will release a detailed plan on the complete restructuring of its Opel and Vauxhall brands by mid-December.

General Motors Co. last month abruptly canceled the planned sale of a majority in Opel and Vauxhall to a consortium of Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc. and Russian lender Sberbank, instead deciding to hold on to the brands itself.

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