Fiat SpA (F.MI) Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Tuesday to outline Fiat's bid for General Motors Corp's (GM) German unit Adam Opel GmBH, a Fiat spokesman said.

"Fiat presented its offer for Opel," the spokesman said.

The German government hopes to name its preferred bidder by Wednesday night, in a rush to settle the fate of Opel before the expected bankruptcy filing of General Motors.

The announcement of a favored bidder will pave the way for German government financing to enable Opel to continue operating.

Marchionne will meet with Merkel again Wednesday.

Fiat's rival bidders are Canadian auto parts suppler Magna International Inc. (MGA) and RHJ International (RHJI.BT).

-By Jennifer Clark, Dow Jones Newswires; 39 02 58 21 9904; jennifer.clark@dowjones.com