Chrysler driven into bankruptcy
Chrysler became the first major car manufacturer to file for bankruptcy in the current recession after last-minute negotiations between the US government and a batch of dissident hedge fund creditors broke down.
By James Quinn, Wall Street Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:20PM BST 30 Apr 2009
But, at the same time, Chrysler entered into a strategic partnership with Italian rival Fiat designed to safeguard its long-term future and give it access to fuel-efficient technologies and smaller car designs.
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The developments – which followed months of negotiations by Barack Obama’s automotive task force – herald a new chapter in the 84-year-old company’s history. A chapter which will ultimately see it controlled by Fiat and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
The collapse followed an 11th-hour stand-off between the US automotive task force and 20 hedge and distressed debt funds which control $1bn (£676m) of Chrysler’s $6.9bn debt. The funds refused to accept a deal which would have seen them paid only 44pc of what they are owed.
The dissident funds, including Oppenheimer Funds and Perella Weinberg’s Xerion Capital Fund, stood firm after alleging they were being unfairly treated in favour of government funded banks such as JP Morgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, who are among Chrysler’s biggest creditors.
President Obama reprimanded the hedge funds, saying he could not support “a group who held out for the prospect of an unjustified taxpayer bailout”. He added that some “demanded returns twice what others were getting”. The attack was a negative moment in an otherwise highly positive statement, in which he called Chrysler one of the companies that “helped make the 20th century the American century”.
The car maker has been given a “new lease on life” as a result of the deal with Fiat, the President said. He added that the company’s move into Chapter 11 will be “quick ... efficient ... and controlled” and “will not disrupt the lives of those who work at Chrysler.”
The alliance with Fiat will safeguard 30,000 jobs at Chrysler, tens of thousands at suppliers and dealers, and guarantee the healthcare rights of 170,000 retired Chrysler workers and their families.
Chrysler was last night due to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York, a process which will allow a bankruptcy judge to approve its restructuring plan, which has the support of employees, unions, and 70pc of creditors by value.
Obama administration officials described the bankruptcy process as “purely surgical”, saying it would take 30-60 days for the new Chrysler to re-emerge.
Filing for bankruptcy will allow Chrysler to access $3.3bn in new debtor-in-possession financing from the US government, intended to ensure it can operate as normal through the process, as well as $4.7bn in US loans on exiting Chapter 11, on top of $4bn already loaned back in December. The Canadian and Ontario governments will provide a further $2.42bn.
In return, on formation of the new Chrysler, the US government will own an 8pc stake — and its Canadian counterparts a 2pc stake — and will be able to nominate five directors between them.
Fiat will get a 20pc stake in the new company to begin with, but President Obama stressed the Italian company will not be allowed to take a majority stake until “every taxpayer dime” has been repaid. UAW, will have a 55pc stake.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/5252690/Chrysler-driven-into-bankruptcy.html
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The troubles at Chrysler and General Motors are a major concern for everyone in the United States and around the world. I do not know what the correct solution is but I hope that it will all work out for the better. I hope with all the government assistance and restructuring that the automakers can bounceback and become strong during the latter half of the year.
Regards, homebizseo
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