Russian automaker OAO GAZ Group (GAZA.RS) could manufacture Opel cars at its Nizhny Novgorod plant within six to nine months if General Motors Corp. (GM) hands control of its European business to Magna International Inc. (MGA), GAZ said Monday.

Magna has won backing from the German government for its bid to take control of Opel with financing from state-controlled Russian lender OAO Sberbank (SBER.RS), and GAZ is acting as an "industrial partner" on the deal.

Until Russia entered recession this winter, the country's car market was the fastest growing in Europe. However, most of the cars sold in the country are imported, and Russia's government has recently sought to foster the development of its domestic car industry.

The car assembly line at GAZ's Nizhny Novgord plant was refitted last year to manufacture the Siber, a sedan based on an old Chrysler model, and has a capacity of 180,00 vehicles a year. GAZ said the line could also be used to make Opel models.

GM last year sold 338,000 cars in Russia.

Company Web site: www.gazgroup.ru

-By Will Bland, Dow Jones Newswires; +7 495 937 8445; william.bland@dowjones.com