Vauxhall still in doubt
September 30th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes is looking into the proposed sale of Vauxhall/Opel to Magna.
After a meeting in the European Parliament, Vicky Ford MEP said the commissioner was to seek more information, on:
• Relative efficiencies of Opel/Vauxhall plants
• Further details on possible implications of the proposed deal
This is to address concerns that some states are being favoured over others in the big deal – chiefly, that Germany is benefitting from its big cash injection into GM’s European division.
’Re-structuring decisions should be made on purely commercial grounds, not according to geographic location,’ said Ford.
‘Given that the UK Vauxhall plants are highly efficient facilities, jobs should not be lost in the UK whilst less efficient production facilities are protected elsewhere.’
Indeed, statistics show that Vauxhall’s UK plants are more efficient than most of the German ones…
‘It was encouraging that the Commissioner,’ continued the statement, ‘who acts as Europe’s policeman on these matters, reiterated that the recession does not give national governments carte blanche to break state-aid rules.’
STILL this story runs…
Mind you, we shouldn’t have long to wait, reckons Ford. ‘The commissioner said that she understands the need for a “quick and clear decision“.’
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