GENERAL Motors has appointed Robert Hendry, the head of Saab, as chairman and managing director of Opel. He will take up the position on November 1.

Hendry replaces Gary Cowger who has been recalled to the US to take on the responsibility for labour relations at GM as a vice-president and group executive of the corporation. Hendry has been president and chief executive officer of Saab in Sweden since August 1996.