GM agrees to sell German unit Opel

General Motors has decided to sell Opel, signaling an end to months of uncertainty for the European unit and its 50,000 workers.

GM reached the deal with Canadian automotive supplier Magna International and Russia's Sberbank. In the new Opel structure, the Canadian-Russian team will split a 55 percent share, GM will retain 35 percent, and 10 percent will be held by Opel employees.

Talks on Opel issue have lasted for months, fueling anger among staff members, half of whom are in Germany. The chairman of the Opel Trust said the car-maker's future is not yet secure. Opel's roots could be traced back to the 19th centrury in Germany. And GM has controlled the car-maker for the past 80 years.