“This decision is solely politically motivated,” said an EEF spokesperson. “Breaching a contract and shifting production to South Korea are the reasons behind the intended closure of Opel Antwerp - not over-capacity.

“The EEF as well as all European Trade Unions at the Opel and powertrain sites jointly condemn this one-sided and economically unreasonable approach. We are in solidarity with our colleagues in Antwerp. We will not make any employee contributions for the closure of this site.”

The EEF contends that, by closing Antwerp, GM would breach the contract with it on the production of a new, small SUV which has not been part of the Opel product portfolio so far. It states that employees at the Antwerp site have been making contributions for this product since 2007 (€ 26 million p.a.).

“This vehicle – like the Antara - is now planned to be delivered to Europe from South Korea,” says the EEF spokesperson.

“The Flemish Government is willing to support Opel with an amount up to € 500 million. GM has refused this support. Joint studies of the EEF and management have proved that it makes sense from a business point of view to keep Antwerp open.  

“Millions of Euros would have to be taken as loans in order to realise Nick Reilly’s intention to close Antwerp. These loans would have to be paid back by the employees of the remaining sites in Europe, and would not be available for urgently needed product investments and market development.”