German carmaker Opel has called for the company to break away from its ailing General Motors (GM) parent and forge a new motor vehicle group comprising the giant US auto group's European operations as part of a rescue plan unveiled today, according to dpa. The move could bring to an end Opel's 80-year history as a part of GM's business empire, with Opel seeking 3.3 billion euros (4.3 billion dollars) in aid to underpin the formation of the European car group and help it through the current global car market crisis. Opel "has a future in Europe," said Opel board chairman Carl-Peter Forster, adding that the carmaker will present its business plan to the German Government on Monday. GM declined to comment on the restructuring plan drawn up by Opel with the new Opel/Vauxhall European operation to be based in the group's German headquarters in Ruesselsheim in the western part of the country.
