FRANKFURT, Nov 19 (Reuters) - The head of Opel, the German unit of the world's biggest carmaker General Motors , said late on Tuesday that a merger with the autos business of Italy's Fiat was not on the cards at the moment.
"A merger is not currently on the horizon," Opel Chief Executive Officer Carl-Peter Forster told reporters in comments embargoed until Wednesday.
Analysts say deeper consolidation between Fiat Auto and Opel, which already cooperate on powertrains and purchasing, has become less likely due to a legal spat between the Italian firm and General Motors (GM).
Fiat announced a five billion euro recapitalisation for its car division in February, which GM argues voids an option that allows Fiat to force GM to buy the Italian group out of its autos division.
Fiat argues the option is still valid and has said it could seek compensation if GM refuses the option.
But Forster talked up the benefits of the joint ventures and said he was happy to have Fiat as a partner.