The chief executive of General Motors expressed confidence that the carmaker would win the concessions it needs from the United Auto Workers union in order to meet restructuring conditions for a $13.4bn federal bail-out.

Rick Wagoner, appearing alongside Ron Gettelfinger, UAW president, on MSNBC’s Today television show, also said talks on a possible merger with rival carmaker Chrysler, which is receiving $4bn of federal aid, had been “set aside”.