Judge Robert Gerber of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan said the sale was GM's only option and that completing it would "prevent the death of the patient on the operating table." He approved the sale just over one month after GM filed for bankruptcy, in the largest US manufacturing bankruptcy in history.

Under the deal brokered by the Obama administration, "New GM" will emerge as a more streamlined automaker operating the best parts of the old company, including its Chevrolet and Cadillac brands, with a cheaper workforce, smaller dealer network, and much less debt. The rest of the company will be liquidated.

Gerber issued a four-day stay of the order approving the sale, which should allow it to close as early as Thursday. Such stays are typical and allow for possible appeals. One group of consumers objecting to the sale has already filed court papers for an appeal, but the dissenting bondholder group said it would drop its challenge to the sale.

The sale marks the second big victory for the Obama administration's auto task force. It helped broker the disposal of Chrysler LLC to a group led by Italy's Fiat SpA last month.