THE supervisory board of Adam Opel AG has appointed Karl-Friedrich Stracke as the new head of the company.

As chief executive he will be responsible for the worldwide business operations of Opel/Vauxhall including the Ellesmere Port plant.

The 54-year-old engineer succeeds Nick Reilly, who retains his position as President of GM Europe.

Mr Stracke said: “Opel has laid the foundations for a successful future and I feel honoured by the decision of the supervisory board.

“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 around the world have developed innovative vehicles and technologies, including the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera extended-range electric vehicle.

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.