Future of GM's Opel Unit Still Undecided

By Melissa Eddy

BERLIN -- All-night talks hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the future of the Opel unit of General Motors (GM Quote) ended without decisions as new details emerged of its financial needs, the German economy minister said Thursday.

German officials had hoped to set up an arrangement under which the government could provide bridge financing for Opel while talks continue with potential investors.

However, Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said they didn't succeed in doing that. During what he described as a "remarkable night," officials said GM reported extra financing needs totaling 300 million euros ($418 million) in short-term cash for Opel. ...