RHJ raises its bid for Opel

Belgium investment group RHJ has raised its bid for General Motors’ (GM) European car firm Opel from 275m euros ($391m, £241m) to 300m euros. RHJ has also lowered the amount it would request in German state aid were it to take control of the company.

The offer would see RHJ take a 50.1% stake in the company, with GM retaining 39.9% and employees holding 10%. Canadian car parts maker Magna is also interested in buying the company and the GM board is to meet again to discuss the offers.

RHJ’s improved offer is the latest development in the long-running battle to buy GM’s European business. Last month, GM failed to choose between Magna and RHJ’s initial bids, leading to speculation that the sale would not happen for fear of technology and engineering resources ending up in a competitor’s hands. GM quickly confirmed that the deal was still under discussion.

Control of “New GM Europe” (Opel plus Vauxhall, minus Saab) was handed to a German-led trust when GM entered bankruptcy protection. The trust will have to approve the final outcome. The German government prefers the Magna bid based on the two companies’ plans for job cuts at Opel following the takeover. Both will see significant cutbacks in the workforce, but Magna is proposing fewer job cuts in Germany. The German government has already given Opel 1.5bn euros in loans to keep the company afloat. With nearly 25,000 people employed at Opel’s four plants in Germany, the country has a strong interest in the outcome of the takeover.