Vauxhall jobs fear over GM shortlist

GERMAN politicians will meet in Berlin today to decide on the preferred bidders for General Motors’ European arm.

Opel, based in Germany and with half of the division’s 50,000 employees, is the largest part of GM’s operation in Europe and the parent of Vauxhall which employs 5,000 at Ellesmere Port and Luton.

General Motors will have the final say but the choice of the German government is also crucial because it will be offering the most financial support for the winning bidder.

There are concerns in the UK that its leverage will protect German jobs, leaving those in the UK vulnerable to future cutbacks.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson has been in negotiations with German counterparts to underline his commitment to the Vauxhall plants in the UK.

The Chinese Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation is the latest bidder to join the race for GM’s European business. It is now the fourth bidder joining Fiat, Canada’s Magna and Belgium’s RHJ.