The authorities in the US General Motors have decided to sell a stake of 55% in the German automotive brand Opel.

The buyer will most likely be a joint partnership between Austrian-Canadian consortium Magna International Inc. and Russian bank Sbierbank. The decision can also have a very strong effect on the domestic Opel production plant in Gliwice.

"If we would take into account only economics, then our plant has nothing to fear. However, if politics will be more important, than I am afraid that someone in Germany could decide to sacrifice us at over the cost of a local Opel plant, which had already been planned to close. It also has to be admitted that Magna is a difficult employer," said Sławomir Ciebiera, the head of Solidarity union at General Motors Manufacturing Poland in Gliwice.

As some fear that the plant will be closed, FSO representatives see it as an opportunity. This is because if GM will sell Opel it will be willing to strengthen its position in Europe using the Chevrolet brand, which is being assembled in Warsaw's FSO plant.

Source: Puls Biznesu