General Motors has requested that potential bidders for Vauxhall and Opel table their offers today as 5,000 workers at the car manufacturer await their fate.
By Ellie Duncan
The bids are expected by the end of today, while the government is likely to come to a decision within days.
Meanwhile, 5,000 employees at Vauxhall’s two manufacturing plants in the UK will hope to hear news that their jobs have been secured.
Lord Mandelson has said he expects Canadian supplier Magna International and Belgian RHJ International to both make separate offers for GM Europe.
The European arm of GM owns Vauxhall in the UK and Opel in Poland and Germany.
Potential bidders will be relying on substantial state aid from Britain and Germany if they are to invest in the manufacturer.
Magna International is the preferred bidder, having already signed a non-exclusive memorandum of understanding in May. However, it is likely to axe up to 10,000 jobs across Europe if the deal is agreed.