General Motors‘ Opel unit could end up making cars for other manufacturers if Magna International becomes its partner, German media have reported.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Magna itself is a contract vehicle assembler with a plant in Graz, Austria. Customers have included Chrysler, Daimler, BMW and Mini.


If Opel has to reduce output of its own cars, it could offer capacity to carmakers such as Ford or PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, Automobilwoche and Welt am Sonntag reported, according to Reuters.


Magna does not plan to close any Opel factories in Germany but might shut plants in Antwerp, Belgium, and Luton, England, Welt am Sonntag was quoted as saying.


Automobilwoche reportedly said Magna’s idea was to establish an ‘open platform’ that could be used by multiple manufacturers so that model series could be made efficiently throughout their life cycle. The magazine quoted associates of Magna CEO Siegfried Wolf.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The German government’s hunt for an Opel partner has come down to Fiat and Magna, reports said.


Magna would take over Opel jointly with Russian automaker GAZ and Russia’s top lender, state-run Sberbank, German reports said.


Fiat wants a three-way merger with Chrysler and GM Europe operations, including Opel, Vauxhall and Saab.


German economy minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has asked the companies present full plans by Wednesday (May 20).


Should General Motors file for bankruptcy in the US at the end of the month before reaching a solution for its Opel/Vauxhall subsidiary in Europe, the German government would press for a trustee arrangement for the company, economy minister zu Guttenberg has said.