In September 2001, Adam Opel AG, subsidiary of General Motors, introduced the `Olympia´ restructuring programme, seeking to return the company to profitability. The programme includes measures such as the reduction of production capacity and savings in the area of supplies. In negotiations between the Opel German works council and national management, both parties agreed to reduce the company's workforce by 2,500 during the years 2002 and 2003. In October 2003, Opel is cutting the working week of about 5,500 employees to 30 hours. Opel said this was aimed at avoiding layoffs at a time when demand for new cars in Germany was weak.