German economy minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, seen here in Berlin with chinmey sweepers raising money for cancer sufferers, said there companies other than Magna were interested in Opel.
Germany said it was still talking to potential investors for Opel and Vauxhall on Thursday, casting doubts over a bid from Magna, the Canadian car parts group.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the German economy minister, said at a joint news conference in Berlin with Lord Mandelson, the British Business Secretary: "We are still in contact with other investors. BAIC [the Chinese car maker] for example ... and others that I will not speak about here."
He said he believed Fiat, the Italian carmaker which this week completed its takeover of Chrysler, still had its eye on Opel.
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Germany only has a preliminary agreement with Magna about a takeover General Motors' European unit.
Lord Mandelson said Britain was prepared to offer financial support for the plan to rescue Opel, which includes UK unit Vauxhall, although he did not give any details.
"We have to be satisfied not only with the viability of the company going forward, we also have to be satisfied ... that what is finally agreed offers value for money to the British taxpayer," he said.
Vauxhall employs 5,000 workers at plants in Luton, north of London, and Ellesmere Port in northwest England.
British unions have accused their government of allowing the fate of GM's European business to be decided in Germany and of not doing enough to protect nearly British jobs.
Magna wants to cut 11,600 jobs, German daily Die Welt reported on Thursday, citing Magna's preliminary business plan for Opel. A German official had previously said around 10,000 jobs could go.
Another media report on Thursday said Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC) is also interested in buying Ford's Swedish carmaker Volvo.
A team of BAIC executives is likely to visit Volvo's Gothenburg, Sweden headquarters as early as Thursday to meet with its executives and tour its research and development and manufacturing facilities, the Wall Street Journal said, citing three people familiar with the situation.
He said he believed Fiat, the Italian carmaker which this week completed its takeover of Chrysler, still had its eye on Opel.
Related Articles
Fears for Vauxhall jobs as Magna fails to submit plans
Talks over GM's Vauxhall and Opel businesses stall on new cash demand
Chrysler to close quarter of its dealerships
Fiat faces uphill climb to seal GM deal
Lord Mandelson pledges Vauxhall production in UK will continue
Germany only has a preliminary agreement with Magna about a takeover General Motors' European unit.
Lord Mandelson said Britain was prepared to offer financial support for the plan to rescue Opel, which includes UK unit Vauxhall, although he did not give any details.
"We have to be satisfied not only with the viability of the company going forward, we also have to be satisfied ... that what is finally agreed offers value for money to the British taxpayer," he said.
Vauxhall employs 5,000 workers at plants in Luton, north of London, and Ellesmere Port in northwest England.
British unions have accused their government of allowing the fate of GM's European business to be decided in Germany and of not doing enough to protect nearly British jobs.
Magna wants to cut 11,600 jobs, German daily Die Welt reported on Thursday, citing Magna's preliminary business plan for Opel. A German official had previously said around 10,000 jobs could go.
Another media report on Thursday said Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC) is also interested in buying Ford's Swedish carmaker Volvo.
A team of BAIC executives is likely to visit Volvo's Gothenburg, Sweden headquarters as early as Thursday to meet with its executives and tour its research and development and manufacturing facilities, the Wall Street Journal said, citing three people familiar with the situation.
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