German minister: Fiat wants Opel deal without increasing own debt, would keep 3 German plants

September 12th, 2009 EU warns against protectionism in GM sale of OpelBRUSSELS — The European Union's competition commissioner has warned she will take action if there is any protectionism in the sale of General Motors Co.'s European unit Opel. The Belgian government says it wants the EU Commission to investigate the Opel deal amid concern that Germany allegedly sought to protect its own plants at the cost of others.

September 8th, 2009 GM board meeting could decide Opel fateFRANKFURT — General Motors Co.'s board is beginning a two-day meeting that could see it decide the fate of its German unit Opel, with German business leaders and politicians hoping any solution preserves jobs. GM has two primary bids for the Ruesselsheim-based Adam Opel GmbH, with German officials, Opel workers and unions endorsing one from Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc.

August 28th, 2009 Germany: GM decision on Opel probably weeks awayFRANKFURT — Any decision on the fate of General Motors Co.'s European unit Adam Opel GmbH is still probably weeks off, a German government spokesman said Friday. A decision on what GM does with the unit, which includes its British sister brand Vauxhall, would take at least a week and a half, as GM's board is due to meet on Sept.

July 22nd, 2009 German gov't begins reviewing Opel offersFRANKFURT — The German government has begun reviewing offers for General Motors Co.'s Opel unit, officials said Wednesday, though its decision and the details of a deal are not expected soon. A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not permitted to talk to the media about the deals, said that GM and government officials were meeting in Berlin.

July 22nd, 2009 Germany reviews Opel offers; states like MagnaFRANKFURT — Germany's government on Wednesday began reviewing the offers for General Motors Co.'s Opel unit, with four states saying they preferred the consortium of Magna and Sberbank. The four German states where Opel has plants have strongly favored the consortium of Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc.

June 5th, 2009 Fiat still interested in OpelMILAN — Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said Friday that the Italian automaker hasn't given up on Germany's Opel, even though a tentative Opel takeover deal by rival bidders Magna International Inc. and Russia's Sberbank was moving ahead.

May 9th, 2009 MAINZ - Italian carmaker Fiat appeared to raise fresh doubts Friday about its plans for parts of the German operations of crisis-hit US carmaker General Motors if the group's bid to buy GM's European auto offshoots succeeds. Following a meeting between Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne and key German political leaders, the premier of the west German state of Rhineland Platz Kurt Beck said he was 'greatly concerned' about the operations of GM's German subsidiary, Opel.

May 8th, 2009 German state governor meets Fiat over Opel bidFRANKFURT — Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is meeting with the governors of two key German states as part of his bid to take over General Motors' Opel subsidiary. Marchionne met Friday with Roland Koch, government of the German state of Hesse, where Opel is based.

May 5th, 2009 Report: Fiat boss sees savings in Opel allianceBERLIN — A Fiat tie-up with General Motors Corp.'s Opel unit would allow "immense" cost savings, the Italian auto maker's boss was quoted Tuesday as saying, arguing the two companies would be a good fit. Fiat Group SpA is trying to build a global automaking powerhouse.

May 4th, 2009 Fiat boss to discuss Opel bid in GermanyBERLIN — Fiat Group SpA's chief executive was expected in Berlin for discussions Monday with the German government on the company's hopes of taking over General Motors Corp.'s Opel unit — a prospect that has prompted skepticism among employee representatives. Fiat's Sergio Marchionne was to meet with Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is also the vice chancellor.

May 3rd, 2009 Fiat chairman: GM's Opel an "ideal" partnerROME — The chairman of Fiat SpA, which is in the process of acquiring U.S. automaker Chrysler, confirmed the Italian automaker's interest in General Motors' German unit Opel, calling it an "ideal partner" and a possible takeover by Fiat an "extraordinary opportunity." It was the first confirmation from Fiat of its interest in Opel.

May 2nd, 2009 Reports: Fiat head to discuss Opel takeoverBERLIN — The head of Italian carmaker Fiat SpA, which is in the process of acquiring U.S. automaker Chrysler, is continuing talks with German officials about a possible takeover of General Motor's Opel unit, according to media reports Saturday.

April 24th, 2009 German governor confirms Fiat interest in OpelFRANKFURT — Italian car company Fiat SpA and Canadian car parts maker Magna International Inc. are both interested in a stake of German carmaker Opel, a unit of General Motors Corp., a German official said Thursday.

April 23rd, 2009 Report: Fiat in talks on OpelFRANKFURT — Italy's Fiat Group SpA is close to an agreement to take a majority stake in General Motors Corp.'s European business, according to a report Thursday in the online version of Germany's Der Spiegel magazine. Spiegel, citing unidentified sources it said were close to the negotiations, said Fiat was expected to sign a declaration of intent next Tuesday.

April 23rd, 2009 Government official confirms Fiat interest in OpelFRANKFURT — Italian car company Fiat SpA and Canadian car parts maker Magna International Inc. are both interested in a stake of German carmaker Opel, a unit of General Motors Corp., a German official said Thursday.