Strasbourg - As the discussion about state aid for ailing German carmaker Opel continues, EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen on Wednesday described the firm as a "special case" in Europe.

"Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures," Verheugen said in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, although he went on to say that he was not fully decided about the proposed multibillion-euro aid package from the German government.

However, he said it was "in no-one's interest" that Opel be allowed to fail. Opel would be a competitive firm, Verheugen said, were it not for the critical situation of Opel's US parent company, General Motors.

The European Commission is working on a proposal for a stimulus package for environmentally friendly vehicles.

At the same time the European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering a 40-billion-euro (50.4-billion-dollar) loan for makers of low- emission cars. (dpa)