Opel/Vauxhall will be hiring up to 250 engineers for its International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim to help with the extra work as part of the brand’s bold product offensive.

The company has previously announced it will invest 11 billion euros to reinvigorate 80 percent of its model line-up by 2014. Among the projects is the introduction of new automobile concepts, like the electric vehicle Ampera which will come to markets next year.

In addition, the new Opel/Vauxhall models Insignia and Astra remain in strong demand. The plant in Rüsselsheim, where more than 200,000 Insignias have already been built, plans five extra shifts during the months of May and June.

Opel/Vauxhall already has received 120,000 orders for the new five-door Astra hatchback, which was first launched in December 2009 in Germany and subsequently introduced throughout Europe. To meet the high customer demand, the plant in Gliwice, Poland will add 17 extra shifts through June.

In June, Opel/Vauxhall will begin to launch the new compact monocab Meriva. The Astra’s new station wagon, the Sports Tourer, will follow later in the year.