GM Asset Sale Approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court
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NEW YORK - July 6, 2009: General Motors achieved another milestone in
its reinvention last night when Judge Robert E. Gerber of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved the sale of
substantially all of General Motors Corporation's assets to NGMCO, Inc., an
entity funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In connection with
the closing of the sale transaction, NGMCO, Inc. will change its name to
General Motors Company and continue to operate under GM's historic
corporate and sub brands. The approval marks another step toward the launch
of an independent new GM. The new company will acquire GM's strongest operations and will have a
competitive operating cost structure, partly as a result of recent
agreements with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Canadian Auto Workers
(CAW). The new GM will have lower leverage and a stronger balance sheet, which
when combined with a lower break-even point, will allow it to reduce its
risk, operate profitably at much lower volume levels, and to reinvest in
the business in the key areas of advanced technology and product
development. GM's subsidiaries outside the United States will be acquired
by the new company and are expected to continue to operate without
interruption. The new GM will be headquartered in Detroit and will be led by Fritz
Henderson as president and chief executive officer and Edward E. Whitacre,
Jr. as chairman of the board of directors. "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," said Henderson. The new GM's common stock will be owned by: Additionally, the old GM and the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust will
hold warrants that are exercisable for 15 percent and 2.5 percent of the
interests in the new GM, respectively. The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust and the Canadian government each
may nominate one member to serve on the board of the new GM. The retiree
benefits trust has selected seasoned auto industry analyst Stephen Girsky.
Also selected to serve on the board of directors of the new GM are six
current members of the General Motors Corporation board, including Erroll
Davis, Neville Isdell, Kent Kresa, Philip Laskawy, Kathryn Marinello and
Fritz Henderson. The Canadian government representative and four additional
board members to be identified by the U.S. Treasury will be announced at a
later date. Judge Gerber's order includes a four-day stay before closing of the sale
can occur. However, GM expects the sale to close in the near future. The
new GM's business is expected to be immediately operational and fully
competitive, with an exciting line of new products, a smaller, more focused
brand portfolio and the rationalization of its dealer network well
underway. Current GM employees will be offered positions by the new
company. In connection with the closing, the current General Motors Corporation
will change its name to Motors Liquidation Company. Retained assets will be
wound down or sold. A new board of directors will oversee that process and
the liquidation of the company under the supervision of the Bankruptcy
Court.
U.S. Department of the Treasury: 60.8 percent
UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: 17.5 percent
Canada and Ontario governments: 11.7 percent
The old GM: 10 percent