FACTBOX-Five facts about interim Opel boss Reilly

Nov 10 (Reuters) - General Motors [GM.UL] named Nick Reilly, head of the U.S. carmaker's international operations, as interim head of its European business while it searches for a new chief executive for the Opel unit.

Here are five facts about Reilly:

* Based in Shanghai, the Briton is widely credited with whipping GM operations in Asia into shape.

* During his tenure at South Korea's GM Daewoo, the company's sales jumped more than fivefold and it returned to profits. He rehired more than 1,600 employees out of the 1,725 shed when the company was in trouble. The unionised workers of GM Daewoo gave him a plaque of thanks with a phrase "We will always remember you".

* The Cambridge University graduate was named a Commander of the British Empire in 2000 in recognition of his contributions to the British automotive industry.