Vodafone AirTouch chief executive Chris Gent is taking the world's largest takeover battle into German target Mannesmann's own backyard.

Mr Gent unveiled details of the UK mobile phone giant's hostile bid in Dusseldorf on Thursday morning.

The 400-plus page offer document is Vodafone's attempt to persuade Mannesmann shareholders that their future would be brighter if the merger went ahead.

The details of the bid had already been well trailed, with Vodafone's offer largely unchanged, valuing the German engineering-to-telecoms group at about £83bn (130bn euros).

Competing for loyalty

Shareholders in the German firm - who would own 47.2% of the combined group - have until 7 February to decide whether to accept the terms.

Vodafone also plans to list its shares in euros on the Frankfurt stock exchange - in addition to existing listings in London and New York - to make it easier for institutional investors to switch.

Mr Gent concentrated on Vodafone's status as a global player, saying its large US operations left it well placed for the growth of wireless data services.

He said that the idea of a job for Mannesmann's chairman Klaus Esser in the merged group had been offered and rejected.

Responding to critical press reports in Germany Mr Gent said: "I am not a ruthless shark, I would say to you that businesses have to become optimally efficient to address the markets they serve."

He said that the merger would lead to further investment in Germany, adding: "This is not hostile as hostile takeovers used to be, this isn't factory closing, job cutting."

Executives from Vodafone and Mannesmann have spent much of the month competing for the loyalties of shareholders in the German conglomerate.

Although Mr Esser has not ruled out an amicable settlement, he insists that Vodafone's offer is far less than Mannesmann's potential value.

If successful under current terms, Vodafone's takeover bid would be the biggest in history, topping MCI WorldCom Inc.'s $115bn bid for Sprint Corp.

Orange obstacle

Mannesmann said it "extremely regrets" that Vodafone insists on pursuing the company with a hostile takeover bid.

"Mannesmann would contribute more than half of the growth to a combined business. An offer of 47.2% of the combined business for Mannesmann shareholders is completely inadequate," the company said.

The European Commission announced on Tuesday it had no objection to Mannesmann's purchase of Orange.

Vodafone has said it will float off Orange when it buys Mannesmann to avoid regulatory hurdles in the UK.

Meanwhile, some Mannesmann shareholders say they planning to take legal action in the United States to try to force the company to talk to Vodafone.