The new German coalition government led by Chancellor Angela Merkel was in confusion over the issue of state aid for Opel, while other European Union states with Opel factories had pledged more than euro 1 billion.

According to the statement, ahead of a visit by new General Motors (GM) Europe chief Nick Reilly to Brussels, Spain, Britain and Belgium had offered state aid 300-500 million euros each to return Opel to profitability.