Labour representatives for OpelVauxhall say two viable investors are being evaluated for a potential takeover of the Antwerp site, but no firm decision has yet been made.
The Belgian factory has been earmarked for closure for some time by GM Europe but the two potential investors – who have apparently expressed an interest in keeping car production – have not yet been identified.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“There are two viable category A investors – that means an industrial investor looking to continue car production,” OpelVauxhall chairman of the general works council Klaus Franz told just-auto at the Paris motor show on Thursday (30 September).
“We are also filing for B and C investors in finance and logistics – this is an open process and is not yet finalised. This is a very highly-skilled workforce and is a very productive plant – we would prefer car production.”
Speculation has centred on today being a significant date in the quest for a new investor but the works council chairman declined to confirm if a decision would be taken imminently – contenting himself to note that KPMG was involved and that a working group was examining the detail.
“I don’t want to take part in speculation at the moment – it is an open process,” added Franz. “The 30 September is a milestone in filing for an investor – it is an ongoing process. KPMG is searching across the globe for the right investor.”
Franz noted car production at the Antwerp site would continue for the next few months.
