New York, July 10 (DPA) US carmaker General Motors could exit bankruptcy in record time and come under the control of the US government by the end of this week, as a Thursday deadline for challenges expired.

A New York judge Sunday night approved GM's plan to sell its best assets into a new company that would be majority owned by the US Treasury. The decision put GM on a path to exit bankruptcy less than two months after seeking court protection June 1 - a speed that has surprised most experts.

But a group of Arizona accident victims filed a last-minute appeal to block the sale Thursday, fearing that a post-bankruptcy GM will not be liable for their damages claims. Judge Robert Gerber had set a noon (1600 GMT) deadline for all appeals to be filed.

The Wall Street Journal reported the court appeal had little chance of success and was unlikely to stop GM's sale to the government. GM said it would hold a press conference Friday morning, which could set the stage for its formal exit from bankruptcy.

US President Barack Obama's administration has set its own ultimatum of Friday for the sale to go through, threatening to otherwise pull $30 billion in funding.

The Treasury is set to get a 60-percent stake in GM in exchange for the loans. The Canadian government, which has also provided billions of dollars, will get 12 percent. A union health care trust will take 17.5 percent and bondholders will get the remaining 10 percent.