Magna and Sberbank have changed their offer for General Motors' former European unit Opel, a source familiar with the matter said.

The person told Reuters on Monday that under the new bid Magna and Sberbank would no longer own 20 percent and 35 percent of Opel respectively, as previously planned.

Each will now control a 27.5 percent share. Sberbank is expected to pool its votes with Magna to ensure majority control.

This would make GM technically the largest shareholder at 35 percent, while Opel staff would receive a 10 percent stake.

Magna declined to comment, but a spokesman for the company said the board of the Canadian auto parts supplier had approved management's plans to submit an offer for Opel by the European close of business on Monday.

(Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner and Angelika Gruber)

General motors