The delegation was given a tour of the factory, but left without commentary. Inside Opel, on the other hand, the management was said to be pleased at the way the visit went. Opel left the Magna visitors with "a good impression," sources said.

"Magna was expecting a lot worse," said union representative Rudi Kennes. "The delegation was expecting people to be a lot more resigned and negative. Instead they found a motivated and positive outlook among the workers."

Unions hope the positive mood will counteract stories going around last week that the decision on the closure of Opel Antwerp had already been taken. Those rumours, they said, were started by representatives of the German Opel plants in an attempt to swing matters their own way.