Late Sunday a judge approved the sale of GM’s assets to a group comprised of the U.S. government, the UAW and the Canadian and Ontario governments under the name NGMCO, Inc. The decision will see GM exit bankruptcy court quickly with the ‘New GM’ assets going to NGMCO, while the ‘Old GM’ assets will be sold off to the highest bidder.

Judge Robert Gerber then placed a stay on the proceedings to for four days to hear objections or appeals, but as most of those have already been dealt with, GM is expected to reemerge as a new government-owner company by Thursday.

In a statement Judge Robert Gerber said that he would, “prevent the death of the patient on the operating table.”

Gerber pointed out the seriousness of the matter and the alternative, stating that, “The only alternative to an immediate sale is liquidation – a disastrous result for GM’s creditors, its employees, the suppliers who depend on GM for their own existence, and the communities in which GM operates.”

The New GM will be majority owned by the U.S. government with a 60 percent stake in the automaker. The UAW will get 17.5 percent, while the Canadian and Ontario governments will get 12 percent.

In response to the news GM’s CEO Fritz Henderson released a statement saying that, “A healthy domestic auto industry remains vital to the global economy and we deeply appreciate the support the U.S., Canadian and Ontario governments and taxpayers have given GM, and the sacrifices that have been made by so many. This has been an especially challenging period, and we’ve had to make very difficult decisions to address some of the issues that have plagued our business for decades. Now it’s our responsibility to fix this business and place the company on a clear path to success without delay.”

The Obama Administration’s auto task force has said that sale of GM back to the private sector could begin as early as next year.

[Source: Automotive News]

*** UPDATE *** Moments after Chrysler released an announcement that a partnership with Fiat was a done-deal, the American auto manufacturer released another statement with slightly revised wording stating that it had just a “framework” of a deal in place. *** UPDATE ***

Hours after President Barak Obama gave Chrysler a deadline of 30 days in which to solidify a partnership with Fiat, a deal has indeed been made.

“We are pleased that Chrysler, Fiat and Cerberus have reached agreement on a framework of a global alliance, supported by the U.S. Treasury,” said Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli in a press release issued by Chrysler. “Chrysler has consistently said that the alliance with Fiat enhances its business model that expands its global competitiveness. We appreciate the willingness of the Task Force, along with industry and financial experts, to consult closely with us in order to achieve this significant step”

The new partnership will see Fiat provide Chrysler with technology, products and several vehicle platforms for global distribution.

“Fiat strengthens Chrysler’s ability to create and preserve U.S. jobs; gives U.S. consumers more choices for environmentally advanced vehicles; gives its dealers more of the products they need to be successful; helps stabilize the supplier base; and allows Chrysler to pay back government loans sooner,” continued Nardelli.

“I want to personally assure all of our customers, dealers, suppliers and employees that Chrysler will operate ‘business as usual’ over the next 30 days. While we recognize that we still have substantial hurdles to resolve, Chrysler is committed to working closely with Fiat, the Administration, U.S. Treasury and the Task Force to secure the support of necessary stakeholders.”

The final details of the Chrysler and Fiat partnership (whether it be a merger or ownership) must still be worked out over the next 30 days, after which Chrysler is still seeking $6 billion to get the new Chrysler on its feet.

Just ahead of the Obama Administration’s press conference today, some of the most important details are already out.

General Motors is to be given 60 more days to complete its restructuring plan, while Chrysler is being given just 30 days to finalize a partnership with Fiat.

This news comes as both fumbling U.S. automakers are set to fail to meet the March 31st restructuring deadline that the Bush administration gave as a qualification for the initial bailout funds.

Both automakers will be given additional funds to ride out the recession until the given deadlines. Chrysler requires $2 billion by tomorrow in order to avoid cash flow issues, while GM is looking at an additional $2 billion to keep itself afloat through April.

Both deadlines comes after the Obama administration’s Auto Task Force determined that the current restructuring efforts by both General Motors and Chrysler would not make either company viable even if the economy improved.

If the two American car manufacturers cannot meet the deadlines laid out by the Obama administration, the cash flow will be halted and the companies will be forced into bankruptcy.

[Source: Automotive News]

According to the reliable folks over at GMInsideNews, on Monday the Obama Administration will announce a bankruptcy deadline for both General Motors and Chrysler. 

It has been rumored that the government will release more details about its aid for the U.S. auto industry on Monday, but now it appears the announcement will include this strong-arm measure by the feds. The “brankruptcy deadline” will be a specific date by which both companies will have to have their finances in order. For General Motors this means a date by which it will have its ongoing issues with the United Auto Workers and bondholders resolved. If the companies cannot comply with the request of the Auto Task Force it will force both U.S. auto giants into a “pre-packaged” Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

[Source: GMInsideNews]