White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler

(AP) - President Barack Obama said Monday thatneither General Motors nor Chrysler has proposed sweeping enoughchanges to justify further large federal bailouts, and demanded"painful concessions" from

News 12 Staff

Mar 30, 2009, 2:47 PM

Updated 5,498 days ago

Share:

White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler
(AP) - President Barack Obama said Monday thatneither General Motors nor Chrysler has proposed sweeping enoughchanges to justify further large federal bailouts, and demanded"painful concessions" from creditors, unions and others as theirprice for survival.
Obama also raised the possibility of a controlled bankruptcy tohelp either or both "restructure quickly and emerge stronger" -uttering the term that industry and union officials have warnedrepeatedly could lead to the collapse of an entire domesticindustry.
With his words, Obama underscored the extent to which thegovernment is now dictating terms to two of the country's iconiccorporations - forcing the departure of Rick Wagoner as CEO ofGeneral Motors, and bluntly warning it may pull the plug on eitheror both companies.
The Bush administration late last year approved $17 billion infederal funds to help GM and Chrysler survive. It also demandedboth companies submit restructuring plans that the Obamaadministration would review.
Even as he pronounced their effort unsatisfactory, the presidentsaid the administration will offer General Motors "adequateworking capital" over the next 60 days to produce a reorganizationplan acceptable to the administration.
He said Chrysler's situation is more perilous, and thegovernment will give the company 30 days to overcome hurdles to amerger with Fiat, the Italian automaker. If they are successful"we will consider lending up to $6 billion to help their plansucceed," he said.
Obama spoke at the White House with the Big 3 standing at yetanother crossroads. As the president noted, the industry has shedover 400,000 jobs in the past year as the recession took hold.Officials announced last week bailout funds would be made availableto companies that supply the automakers, an attempt to keep themafloat.
Obama said he is committed to the survival of an auto industry -on terms that will allow it to compete internationally.
"But we also cannot continue to excuse poor decisions," hesaid. "And we cannot make the survival of our auto industrydependent on an unending flow of tax dollars."
He also said some of the industry's progress has scarcely beennoticed. He mentioned that the North American car of the year in2008 was produced by GM.
"Let me be clear: the United States government has no interestor intention of running GM," he said.
But that was at the same time he was formally announcing thedeparture of Wagoner, whom administration officials forced intoretirement on Sunday in preparation for the president's remarks.
"This is not meant as a criticism of Mr. Wagoner, who hasdevoted his life to this company; rather it's a recognition that itwill take a new vision and new direction to create the GM of thefuture."
Other changes at GM include new directors on its board. FritzHenderson, GM's president and chief operating officer, became thenew CEO. Board member Kent Kresa, the former chairman and CEO ofdefense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp., was named interimchairman of the GM board.
"The board has recognized for some time that the company'srestructuring will likely cause a significant change in thestockholders of the company and create the need for new directorswith additional skills and experience," Kresa said in a writtenstatement.
The Obama move comes amid public outrage over bonuses paid tobusiness leaders and American International Group executives - setagainst a severely ailing economy.
GM failed to make good on promises made in exchange for $13.4billion in government loans. Chrysler, meanwhile, has survived on$4 billion in federal aid during this economic downturn and theworst decline in auto sales in 27 years. In progress reports filedwith the government in February, GM asked for $16.6 billion moreand Chrysler wanted $5 billion more.
GM owes roughly $28 billion to bondholders. Chrysler owes about$7 billion in first- and second-term debt, mainly to banks. GM owesabout $20 billion to its retiree health care trust, while Chryslerowes $10.6 billion.
GM and Chrysler employ about 140,000 workers in the U.S. InFebruary, GM said it intended to cut 47,000 jobs around the globe,or almost 20 percent of its work force, close hundreds ofdealerships and focus on four core brands - Chevrolet, Cadillac,GMC and Buick.


More from News 12
3:40
Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

2:27
Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

0:16
Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

0:29
Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

2:45
‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

1:55
Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

0:18
Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

0:26
‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

0:30
Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

0:23
Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

1:06
Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

2:31
MTA CEO says New Jersey will get cut of congestion pricing money; Gottheimer continues vow to stop congestion pricing

MTA CEO says New Jersey will get cut of congestion pricing money; Gottheimer continues vow to stop congestion pricing

Fire destroys school bus along Garden State Parkway in Cape May County

Fire destroys school bus along Garden State Parkway in Cape May County

2:51
Parent accuses Marlboro teacher of sexually assaulting, molesting her 13-year-old daughter

Parent accuses Marlboro teacher of sexually assaulting, molesting her 13-year-old daughter

Appeals court leaves temporary hold on New Jersey's county line primary ballot design in place

Appeals court leaves temporary hold on New Jersey's county line primary ballot design in place