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09 Jun 2009 21:48

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Biz: The Chrysler/Fiat deal: Screwing over dealerships en masse

  • 789 Chrysler dealerships are losing their contracts source

09 Jun 2009 21:37

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Biz, U.S.: SCOTUS uses super-tight language to allow the Chrysler sale

  • Our assessment of the stay factors here is based on the record and proceedings in this case alone.
  • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg • In her four-paragraph decision in “Indiana State Police Pension Trust v. Chrysler LLC,” which was the main roadblock in the way of the Chrysler-Fiat sale. Why the wording? It’s likely they didn’t want to set a standard for any sort of GM sale. The decision, by the way, hinged on whether Chrysler was being discriminatory towards the pension program in its actions, which it wasn’t. Everyone’s getting screwed the same way. • source

08 Jun 2009 17:03

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Biz, U.S.: The Supreme Court blocks the Chrysler/Fiat sale. Whoa!

  • Wow. That was unexpected. The one thing that could stop the Chrysler/Fiat sale just happened. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg delayed the sale “pending further order.” Three Indiana state pension and construction funds were among the foremost opponents of the sale, which they felt left them financially out of the loop. The final sale, which the bankrupt company was counting on, could be delayed for weeks while the court makes a decision. Stay tuned to this Spidey-station. source

07 Jun 2009 10:20

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Biz, U.S.: People are playing pile-up with Chrysler to stop the Fiat sale

  • “Issue a stay … please!” The Indiana pension fund group that holds a minority stake in Chrysler appealed to the high court to prevent the sale, on grounds that the sale is unconstitutional in that the rights of junior creditors are being placed above senior lenders. They also say the U.S. Treasury Department has overstepped its bounds with the sale. source
  • “Issue a stay … please!” The Indiana pension fund group that holds a minority stake in Chrysler appealed to the high court to prevent the sale, on grounds that the sale is unconstitutional in that the rights of junior creditors are being placed above senior lenders. They also say the U.S. Treasury Department has overstepped its bounds with the sale.
  • Other pitfalls Beyond that, consumer groups also attempted to block the deal, moving through the judicial system so quickly that it hasn’t been committed to paper, because it would shield the new company from lawsuits and other problems with current Chrysler vehicles. The Supreme Court has the ball in their hands now. source

03 Jun 2009 20:52

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Biz, U.S.: GM and Chrysler: We have to cut dealerships. HAVE. TO.

  • We have no choice. We’re all being called to sacrifice in order to build a strong, more viable GM. This is our last chance to get it right.
  • General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson • Regarding the need to cut dealerships at a Senate committee hearing today. Both GM and Chrysler are cutting enough dealerships that they’re going to screw small towns all over the country. Good for you guys. Jerks. • source

01 Jun 2009 08:31

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Biz, U.S.: Big auto news #1: Judge approves Chrysler’s Fiat sale

  • A speedy bankruptcy Chrysler, which has been trying to breeze through its bankruptcy as quickly as possible so it doesn’t lose its value in the meantime, got federal bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez to approve the sale of most assets to Fiat. source
  • A speedy bankruptcy Chrysler, which has been trying to breeze through its bankruptcy as quickly as possible so it doesn’t lose its value in the meantime, got federal bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez to approve the sale of most assets to Fiat.
  • A needed merger In case you’re wondering why this sale happened so quickly, it’s because the Obama administration is putting its muscle behind it. They made it the centerpiece of the automotive task force’s recommended reconstruction plan. source
  • A speedy bankruptcy Chrysler, which has been trying to breeze through its bankruptcy as quickly as possible so it doesn’t lose its value in the meantime, got federal bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez to approve the sale of most assets to Fiat.
  • A needed merger In case you’re wondering why this sale happened so quickly, it’s because the Obama administration is putting its muscle behind it. They made it the centerpiece of the automotive task force’s recommended reconstruction plan.
  • Sticking points Not everyone’s behind this merger – among the scorned lovers include a number of auto dealerships about to lose their franchises, some pension funds in Indiana with a $42.5 million stake, suppliers and ex-employees. source

27 May 2009 22:47

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Biz: Who will own the new Chrysler when it’s ready to go?

  • Chrysler will be largely employee-owned, with a retiree-owned trust getting 55% of the new company. source
  • The company whose initials stand for “fix it again, Tony” will own 20%, and could have 35% over time. source
  • Finally, taxpayers from the U.S. and Canada will be happy to know that they own a minority stake in Chrysler. source
 

19 May 2009 23:05

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Biz, Tech: From DaimlerChrysler to DaimlerTesla: Daimler goes electric

  • 10% Daimler’s stake in fledgling electric automaker Tesla source

14 May 2009 12:04

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Biz: The quick, painful decay of Chrysler continues

  • 789 dealerships, or a quarter of its dealers, are going away source

08 May 2009 14:25

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Biz, U.S.: Jerks causing Chrysler bankruptcy drama stop being jerks

  • The fact simply is … our group has become too small to have a voice within the bankruptcy.
  • Stairway Capital Management • In a statement about leaving the small group of “Non-TARP Lenders,” which complicated Chrysler’s life and helped lead to their bankruptcy. Larger fund OppenheimerFunds Inc. also backed down, leaving a much smaller group of investors opposed to the Obama administration’s plan to restructure the automaker’s debt. • source