BERLIN — General Motors Co. made clear during a meeting with German government representatives Tuesday that it is still interested in selling the automaker’s European Opel unit, a German official said.
The new GM management board, reshuffled after the company filed for bankruptcy protection this year, will require more information before it can make a decision, the official said.
Group vice president John Smith attended Tuesday’s meeting with the German government’s “Opel Task Force,” made up of federal and state officials.
There have been conflicting media reports over whether GM was interested in finding a way to keep Opel or was still trying to seeking a deal with one of two suitors.
The German government favors an offer from Canadian auto-parts maker Magna International Inc. and Russian state-owned bank Sberbank over an offer from Brussels, Belgium-based investor RHJ International SA because fewer jobs are at risk under Mag na’s offer.
Opel employs about 25,000 people in Germany, about half of GM Europe’s total work force. German politicians have been keen to safeguard jobs before September elections.
