General Motors is expected to reach a decision later on the fate of European subsidiary Opel after weeks of delays which have drawn ire from the German government and unions.
The move could affect tens of thousands of jobs across Europe, including 25,000 at Opel plants in Germany.
It could also boost a giant reconfiguration of the global auto industry brought on by the world economic crisis.
The US auto giant's board began a two-day meeting in Detroit yesterday, as union sources in Europe said they expected the board to answer their plea for a speedy resolution and German officials upped the pressure.
'It is important for the employees and Opel plants in Germany that we are informed as soon as possible,' Michael Meister, a top adviser to German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today.
Mr Meister called for a 'quick decision' from General Motors.
A spokesman for the German Economics Ministry said GM's board would be discussing Opel 'late tonight, Berlin time, and we expect news from Detroit as soon as possible'.
But according to a report Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal, quoting a source close to the matter, the GM board may end up postponing any move on Opel until later this month - a delay that would spark anger on this side of the Atlantic.
