Last week GM revealed that the factory will be closed and the ground sold off as soon as possible if no agreement about a takeover is reached by 30 September.

According to the Flemish government, six potential takeover candidates have come forward - two Chinese car manufacturers, one European parts supplier and three other companies from outside the auto sector. While no details were revealed, Peeters said three of the candidates were serious contenders.

The factory is still operating after about 1,300 workers, half of the workforce, took redundancy in June. The future of those remaining still hangs in the balance. According to Peeters, GM's decision "goes against all the agreements made" and "sends the wrong signal". His position was supported by the ABVV trade union representing the remaining workforce.

GM has called in estate agent CB Richard Ellis to handle the sale of the factory and the site on which it stands. First option goes to the municipal port agency, a condition of the sale of some land to GM in 1965. A spokesperson last week said the appointment of an estate agent had led to "surprise" at the authority, which was in broad support of Kris Peeters' policy. "We want to allow every chance for the search for an investor and consider our rights subordinate to that," the authority said.