PSA Group’s supervisory board has appointed Opel chief executive Michael Lohscheller as a member of the French carmaker’s Managing Board.

The move comes after Lohscheller succeeded in his mission to return the Vauxhall and Opel brands to profit which was set-out as a key priority when he was appointed in June 2017 following the departure of Karl-Thomas Neumann.

Neumann had held the post since 2013.

Lohscheller’s place on the Board is effective from September 1 and will run until the Managing Board’s term of office expires in April 2021.

He succeeds Jean-Christophe Quémard, executive vice president, director Middle-East & Africa.

In a statement issued today (July 23) the Supervisory Board thanked Quémard for his “significant contribution” to the Management Board since 2012.

Quémard remains member of the Global Executive Committee.

Louis Gallois, chairman of the Supervisory Board of the PSA Group, said: “I am very pleased, with the members of the Supervisory Board, to welcome Michael Lohscheller to the Groupe PSA Managing Board.

“It is in line with the Group's and the Supervisory Board's willingness to continue the internationalization of its senior management.

“It acknowledges the role taken by Michael Lohscheller in the turnaround of Opel Vauxhall.”