We do know however that GAZ is likely to play the role of an industrial partner for Opel in case the Magna deal goes further, with the Russian manufacturer to handle a part of the local production. Magna wants to purchase a 55 percent stake in Opel together with Russian partner Sberbank who repeatedly said that it might sell its stake to another local company.
An interesting idea is revealed by Reuters who wrote that Deripaska had acquired a major stake in General Motors, which would obviously bring him a decisive role in the Magna - Opel talks. However, such a scenario was strongly denied by his spokesman.
The Wall Street Journal on the other hand claims the Russian tycoon travelled to the US to talk with local officials on a potential sale of RUSAL, the world's number one aluminum producer, who's currently owned by Deripaska as well. It appears that he set up a secret meeting with US businessmen but, according to this source, it also met FBI investigators.
"Mr. Deripaska did visit the United States twice this year for business meetings. Mr. Deripaska has no travel restrictions to any country including the U.S.," the spokesman said in a somewhat funny response.
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