The 55-year-old Stracke has been with Detroit-based GM for 32 years and is currently global head of engineering.

He is replacing Nick Reilly as Opel CEO. Reilly will remain as head of GM Europe and also serve as chairman of Opel’s board of directors.

Germany-based Opel, which makes the Astra compact and Zafira minivan, is GM’s European brand, along with British-based Vauxhall.