British business secretary Peter Mandelson wants to talk soon with General Motors after the automaker scrapped plans to sell its European Opel unit, including its British Vauxhall plants.
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“I am keen for very early discussions with GM over their plans for the business and how they will affect British plants and workers,” Mandelson said in a statement.
“I have always said that if the right long-term sustainable solution is identified, then the government would be willing to support this,” he said, without elaborating.
Britain has 4,700 workers at two plants at Opel’s Vauxhall operations.
Britain had reportedly been unwilling to support a current restructuring plan by Magna for Opel, fearing job losses at Vauxhall.
British union Unite welcomed GM’s move as an “incredible turnaround.”
“It is the best decision for Britain and our plants. I am absolutely delighted that General Motors have finally done the right thing for them and for us,” Unite general secretary Tony Woodley told the BBC.
Woodley said there would now be negotiations with GM over plans to restructure the company.
“There’s no logic in breaking up the company,” he added.
