German governor says Magna is best choice for Opel

The contents of the bids for purchase of Opel submitted by Fiat, Magna and Ripplewood Holdings on Wednesday - and BAIC on Thursday - haven’t yet been disclosed, but today the governor of the German state where Opel is headquartered said he thinks Magna’s plan is the best for Opel.

Though Hesse state governor Roland Koch didn’t say exactly why the Magna plan is his favorite, he did imply that his preference is based on the plan’s treatment of labor, reports the Detroit Free Press. “I think there is a certain ranking, in which the offer from the Magna group is certainly the one that is closest to the hopes and wishes of, I think, many in German politics but also among employees,” Koch told Deutschlandfunk radio.

That likely means that Fiat’s planned cut of 10,000 employees across Europe would include a fair number of Opel employees, while Magna’s plan would result in smaller cuts in Germany and at Opel.

Related posts:

1. Magna confirms it’s seeking minority stake in Opel
2. Report: Magna considers using Opel to build cars for other brands
3. Magna-Saturn-Opel alliance could prove formidable
4. Fiat not planning to close plants in Europe as result of Opel deal
5. Russia’s GAZ emerges as potential bidder for Opel

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