Who will own OPEL by Dec 31st, 2009?

It most likely won't be GM or any German government entity: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4099134,00.html

GM is trying to sell, at a discount price, a controlling (that is, majority) stake in the company.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/GM-reportedly-sell-controlling-stake/story.aspx?guid=%7BA754475D%2D818B%2D4D45%2D9444%2D84E9E4BB4993%7D

Apparenlty MAGNA is interested in acquiring Opel. The problem is, does MAGNA count as a private investor or as a Car Manufacturer. Their core business is car-parts, but MAGNA also assembles cars.

However, as MAGNA is not a car-brand I plea to count MAGNA as "private investor" (while Fiat would be Car Manufacturer).

good point 'hoernla'...the term 'private' investor will have to be defined as it pertains to the Magna/Russian offer to purchase. Are they private investors?

05/30: a plan\'s been approved for Magna International to purchase Opel (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30996124/). Magna is definitely a car parts maker, but it also manufactures cars (Austria\'s Steyr). Hmmm...this isn\'t my category, but I\'d say that if Magna ownership of Opel is still in place on December 31, this would almost have to settle as \'other outcome\', wouldn\'t it? Options 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 would be eliminated, leaving just 5, 6, and 8 as possibilities for settlement. To settle on #5 would be overlooking the fact that Magna is primarily something other than a car manufacturer, while settling on #6 would just as equally be overlooking the fact that Magna does make cars.\\r
\\n\\r
\\nInteresting...

Under the deal, Magna will take a 20 percent stake in Opel and Russian-owned Sberbank will take a 35 percent stake, giving their consortium a majority. GM will retain 35 percent, and the remaining 10 percent will go to Opel employees.\\r
\\n\\r
\\nIt\'s looking like Sberbank, which is owned by the Russian government and GM will each own 35% of Opel. Sounds like \"Other Outcome\" to me. We\'ll just have to see where the chips fall at the end of the year.

Off the subject here, but what\'s with the \\\\and the \\\\\n\\\\\r type of symbols popping up after a comment is posted? I see it in sqlman\'s #5 comment above as well.

ya...they just started showing in the past wk I think...I'm seeing the symbols on other comments elsewhere too.

guess I should probably take my money out of this one..I'm thinking it's about to be suspended for the rest of the year...kinda like the way the Chrysler question has gone.

Question: if GM holds, as proposed 35% and Magna/Sberbank each hold 27.5% - is this question settled as GM???

@ hoernia...excellent question.

as reported by MSNBC (Sep 14)...

Last week, General Motors Co. agreed to sell 55 percent of the unit to Canada's Magna International and Russian lender Sberbank in a 50-50 split. GM will keep 35 percent, the biggest single stake in Opel, and Opel workers will hold 10 percent

This needs some clarification by Cat. Ed. - What will be settled how?

This won't be settled until we can see how the ownership is divided at the end of the year, even if there are new arrangements along the way. What matters is 'who owns what' at year's end.

It looks like from the MSNBC report that GM currently has 35% while Magna and Sberbank each have 27.5%....means GM is still the largest stakeholder so far

Another question about one of the option (with currently 34%)...Private Investors...is this meaning primarily an investment company operation, as opposed to other companies that might have an involvement in production of goods...?

Since Magma is not a car manufacturer, and not an investment company, if it were to turn out to be Magma the "Other" option would seem to be correct...BUT if Magma does share their portion with Sberbank, then it will still have less than GM as things stand now

As the creator of the question I agree with bayoubear. GM is the answer if the current arrangement holds until New Year.

Maybe there is a misunderstanding, but as a private company, I assumed Magna to be a private investor. I didn't assume this had to be some kind of investment company, just an investing company.

Thanks bayoubear and hoernla for the clear posts! Now everything is easy to understand. Great question.

For fun look at comments #1 and #2 - much happened in this year.

Please note that "an agreement to buy a 55 percent stake in Opel" between Magna and Sberbank means neither of them owns 27.5% of Opel; it is joint ownership. The exact form should be made clear in this tentative agreement.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYNAd_rtPdSM

That is one of the reasons I asked for clarification how they will settle. As long as there is no joint venture Magna & Sherbank they will be counted individually = 27,5%. Thats means GM is the largest stockholder with 35% if the sale fails 90% - my bet is there won´t be a new deal this year.

Still "several" other private investors are holding the largest stake... No matter if there is a joint venture or not (mho)

GMAC want to borrow lots more money from the government

I agree with koester. I said "one or several" private investors, so Sberbank and Magna would be counted as one.

Question is....will there be a deal before the end of the year.

@hoernla in comment 16 you aggreed with bayoubears opinion to count magna and sherbank as seperate stakes.

For me comments #14 and #15 and #16 count for an solution because I flagged the question before wit ha ll this details and got an answer for that cases.

If the settlement is different I want my bets voided.

now without a doubt :-)