‘Chinese firm joins Vauxhall bidders’

GENERAL Motors has reportedly received three bids for its European business, which includes Vauxhall.

Preferred bidder Magna, a Canadian parts supplier, and RHJ International were joined by Chinese Group Beijing Automotive as the deadline formally closed last night, reports said.

Beijing Automotive is the last entrant in the race to acquire GM Europe, assets that its US parent has been forced to sell after almost collapsing this year.

Bosses at General Motors’ headquarters in Detroit are now considering the bids and are expected to speak to Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, and the German Government tomorrow to indicate which offer they favour.

Lord Mandelson is keen to give some reassurance to workers at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant when he sees them tomorrow. More than 2,000 people work at Ellesmere Port, while around 3,000 work at Vauxhall’s Luton factory.

The minister is pressing for some certainty over the identity of a new owner for GM Europe by the end of the week.

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