Germany's economy minister has held talks in the US capital Washington in an attempt to save GM's German-based Opel unit.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg met with GM Chairman Rick Wagoner on Monday evening at the German ambassador's residence.

On Tuesday Guttenberg will meet with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, as well as the heads of the National Economic Council, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for further discussion. Opel says it needs 3.3 billion euros to get through the economic crisis.

It has sought help from the German government, but officials in Berlin insist that US parent company GM must first come forward with a proposal for the future.

(CCTV March 19, 2009)