GM says Saab decision due later this month or Feb.

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co.’s top European executive says a final decision on the fate of its Saab brand will come either this month or next.

But GM Europe President Nick Reilly says the longer the troubled Swedish brand lingers without being sold, the less likely a sale will be.

GM started closing Saab operations last week but still is in talks with two possible suitors.

CEO Ed Whitacre Jr. said last week that he was not optimistic Saab could be saved.

Reilly also told reporters at the Detroit auto show Tuesday that he expects to finish restructuring GM’s Opel operations this month. He says changes that combine GM Europe and Opel management will be announced Friday or Monday.

GM is trying to gain concessions from unions and loans from European countries as it restructures Opel.