Cash-strapped US car giant General Motors (GM) wants to maintain the prosperity of its Australian Holden car manufacturing operation, Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr says.
Despite fears that GM will run out of cash next year, the minister says the company's chief executive, Rick Wagoner, was positive about the future of its plant in Elizabeth, north Adelaide.
"He has made the point very, very clear to me, how important it is that we not only keep plants of this quality within the GM family but also that we have a very strong supply base to ensure the ongoing prosperity of the company here in Australia," Senator Carr told reporters.
The minister was in Adelaide on Thursday to brief local auto industry officials on the government's $6.2 billion assistance plan.
He says the plan will make the industry more environmentally and economically sustainable by 2020.
The government's plan came as GM warns that its finances were so bad that it needs a US government aid package before president-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.
Last week the company said it would run out of cash in the first half of next year.
South Australian Treasurer Kevin Foley was in the US last week and sought talks with Wagoner. But he told parliament on Wednesday that his efforts were unsuccessful because the car giant's senior managers were "somewhat preoccupied with matters of survival".
"I will be back in the United States in January and the intention is to meet with senior management at that time," Foley says.