CBS Investment

It seems that buying Opel by the Canadian-Austrian manufacturer of automotive components Magna – is a case that is resolved. However, the ongoing negotiations between Magna and the parent corporation of  Opel – General Motors (GM) – is increasingly becoming a war of nerves.

Thus, an information has been released from the depths of GM that the American company intends to sign a statement of intentions, which does not require any obligations with the Chinese car manufacturer company BAIC, and also with financial investor RHJ. There is no doubt that its goal is to increase the pressure on Magna in order to secure new assignments. For example, GM has started talking again about one desirable option, which is the possibility of buy-back of Opel, a variant that is accepted neither by Magna, nor by the German authorities. Those who are familiar with the situation at GM – Handelsblatt sources claim that the top leadership of the General Motors cherishes the hope that after the bankruptcy of GM it can restore its former strength, and may again purchase back Opel.

The American auto giant asks his German «daughter» not for money, but for the agreement on investment. As reports Financial Times, referring to informed sources, GM can give the majority of stake of Opel and British Vauxhall, as well as of the Swedish brand Saab to an investor who will promise to invest at least 0.5 billion euros of his capital in the new European association. Opel and Saab can then join the group of companies, which will be located in Germany.

As the leadership of GM announced, Opel needs the assistance of European governments in the amount of about 3.3 billion euros, as well as a new investor for its survival. German automakers want to become an independent European joint stock company in which GM’s shares will be minimal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged to provide guarantees for the new investor. According to the head of GM Fritz Henderson, business GM Europe, 80% consisting of Opel, thanks to the introduction of eko premium is doing better than expected. Liquidation of GM in the European unit is likely to last until the end of the year.

Global Automotive World is rapidly changing its appearance under the influence of the global economic crisis. General Motors, founded in 1908, the largest automakers in the world for 77 years, applied to the court a statement of voluntary bankruptcy on June 1, which provides court protection from creditors. Most recently, symbolizing the power and dynamism of the American economy GM is now entering a tenuous band of crisis management under state control.

General Motors told the court that its overall debt has reached $ 172.8 billion, that is twice the value of its assets, and it could not undertake a restructuring. This is the largest-scaled of bankruptcies in the American industry.

Restructuring under the leadership of the American state would require the U.S. government $ 50 billion, in exchange for this the U.S. government will receive about 60% GM. The government of Canada, on which territory there are a number of GM factories, will receive 11.7% stake in GM in exchange for loans of $ 9.5 billion. A further 17.5% stake in the health insurance fund will go to the union United Auto Workers, acting on a North American factories GM. Owners of GM bonds will receive 10% of the shares of automakers, since their share can be increased by another 15%.

«The new GM» must occur in 60-90 days, after which the company will get out of court protection from creditors. Basically, the restructuring will bring to a quick sale of unprofitable assets and the elimination of unprofitable brands such as Saturn and Hummer. At least 11 North American factories of GM will be closed. Also, due to a new contract with United Auto Workers union costs for labor will be reduced. About 21 000 members of the 54 000 workers at GM plants in North America will lose their jobs.

As a result of the restructuring the «new GM» should reduce its debt by half and reserve the brands Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC in the U.S. market. However, it is clear that as a result of the restructuring the «new GM» will be much smaller than the «old» one.

Almost simultaneously with the GM, Crysler, the third-largest U.S. automaker declared about its voluntary bankruptcy. Italian Fiat will restructure its assets.

Immediate effect from the bankruptcy of the pillars of the American automobile industry will be the sharp decline of its share in the domestic market, which inevitably will take the competitors. Asian companies – Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are more likely to do so.