Opel product chief Weber quits to take job with yet-unnamed rival

Frank Weber, the German-born engineer who helped lead development of the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera hybrids, is leaving General Motors' Opel unit to work for an as-yet unnamed competitor.

Weber has been Opel's product chief since November 2009. His departure was reported Thursday by Automotive News Europe and confirmed by company sources.

"We regret that Frank Weber has quit. We thank him for what he has done and wish him the best for the future," an Opel spokesman said.

Weber is the second top-tier engineer with vast knowledge of Opel's future product portfolio to leave the company in less than a year. In October 2010, former Opel Managing Director Hans Demant started work at Volkswagen AG as its senior vice president in charge of international relations.

Opel has not named a successor for Weber.

By Harald Hamprecht- Automotive News Europe