The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

GM Re-Enters the Very Profitable Business it Abandoned 4 Years Ago - AmeriCredit to be Renamed General Motors Financial Company


PHOTO

AmeriCredit to be renamed General Motors Financial Company, Inc.

Acquisition will allow GM to offer consumers more financing and leasing options

Launch of initial leasing program targeted by the end of first quarter 2011


DETROIT - September 29, 2010: General Motors announced its acquisition of AmeriCredit Corp. will close effective Oct. 1, 2010, following the approval of AmeriCredit's stockholders today.  The company will be renamed General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (GM Financial).  

The acquisition will form the foundation of the company's plan to create an in-house financing arm and allow GM to provide consumers more vehicle financing options across the U.S. and Canada.  GM Financial will work closely with GM dealers to expand financing and leasing options, including a new regional lease program to be launched by the end of the first quarter of 2011.

Earlier today, AmeriCredit stockholders approved the all-cash transaction valued at approximately $3.5 billion.  The company will file a Certificate of Merger with the Texas Secretary of State on Sept. 30, effective Oct. 1.

"This acquisition allows GM to offer an enhanced range of solutions for our customers and dealers, and establishes an important strategic capability for GM," said GM Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell.  "The speed by which this transaction occurred is evidence of how we are running GM today. We identified an opportunity and moved quickly to provide solutions for customers and dealers."

"While the name is changing, our commitment to our customers and dealers remains paramount," said GM Financial President and CEO Dan Berce. "We are excited to become a member of the GM family and look forward to the new opportunities this provides us."

The establishment of GM Financial will provide strategic capabilities to offer consumers a range of additional financing and lease options.  Key partners, in particular Ally Financial, will continue to provide essential financing services, including dealer financing and prime retail financing.

With total assets of approximately $10 billion, the acquisition poses minimal impact to GM's balance sheet, and does not change GM's objective of achieving strong investment grade status.  GM Financial will maintain direct access to capital markets for its funding requirements.  GM Financial results will be reported as a separate segment within GM's consolidated financial results and will continue to report its results as a separate SEC registrant.

About AmeriCredit:
AmeriCredit (to be renamed General Motors Financial Company, Inc.) provides auto finance solutions through auto dealers across the United States. GM Financial has approximately 3,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada, 800,000 customers and $9 billion in auto receivables. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.