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GM still shopping Opel brand?

06/15/2009, 3:04 PM

By Drew Johnson

General Motors may have named Canada’s Magna International as the winning bidder of the company’s Opel brand, but the Detroit automaker has revealed it would be open to other Opel bids. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said on Monday he would be willing to entertain other offers for the German Opel division.

GM is currently in talks with Magna to secure the Opel deal, but has yet to hammer out a final contract. As such, Henderson says the company would be open to outside offers. “We’re just negotiating, we don’t have an exclusivity agreement (with Magna), so we are open to discussion with others,” Henderson told Automotive News.

“We are spending a lot of time with Magna trying to negotiate a more definitive agreement.”

Magna still has a very good chance of become Opel’s new owners, but the news could open the door for Italy’s Fiat. Fiat was originally in the bidding war with Magna for Opel, but ultimately lost out. However, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said just last week that the Italian automaker is still interested in the Fiat brand. It remains unknown if Fiat has resubmitted a bid.

Under the terms of the current deal, Magna is slated to take a 20 percent stake in Opel with Sberbank taking a 35 percent cut. GM would retain 35 percent of Opel with GM Europe’s employees claiming the final 10 percent.

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06/15, 3:07 PM

posted by:

JakeK66

“Italian automaker is still interested in the Fiat brand”

-Well I hope so – They already own it! LOL

06/15, 3:20 PM

posted by:

Go Saab

No wonder. That German-Canadian-Russian-US mess wouldn’t last long. Even Mr. Henderson obviously understand that.

06/15, 3:37 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Yeah but just think of the drinking parties.

06/15, 4:03 PM

posted by:

Go Saab

^ Ever tried to “party” with a German? And I mean a real German – not someone in Green Bay who had a grandfather who could speak German…

06/15, 4:19 PM

posted by:

Borat

^^^ you mean like with Luger up yours and it was hot (loaded)? What a feeling!

06/16, 1:49 PM

posted by:

F50

If Fiat didn’t/couldn’t get Opel, why don’t they get Volvo?

 
 
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