German FinMin presses GM to spell out Opel plans-paper

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble pressed General Motors on Sunday to shed light on its plans for Opel and said the U.S. group had a responsibility for workers at its European unit.

A GM executive said on Thursday the carmaker will present a new viability plan for Opel in mid-December as it aims to reduce capacity across Europe by about 20 percent.

Nick Reilly, interim head of GM's European business, said it was too soon to say whether any production sites would be closed.

Schaeuble urged GM to clarify its plans.

"My position is very clear: it is now up to General Motors to shed light on how it will meet its company responsibilities," he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"The word from Detroit is GM doesn't need state financing for Opel. I just say: so much the better!" he added. "With Opel, GM has a big responsibility for employees, for the regions concerned and for the whole country."

(Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)