Chrysler LLC officially announced on Thursday that the once auto giant will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shortly after US President Barack Obama made a midday speech, in which he indicated that the troubled automaker will form an alliance with the Italian carmaker Fiat Group SpA.
In a statement, Chrysler said it was not able to obtain the necessary concessions from all of its lenders, which would have avoided the need for a bankruptcy proceeding. As a result, under the direction of the US Treasury, Chrysler and 24 of its wholly owned US subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11of the Bankruptcy Code in US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
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A Chrysler 200C is shown during the International New York Auto Show in New York, the US, in this file photo taken on April 8, 2009. US. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that he supports the nation's third largest automaker Chrysler LLC to file for bankruptcy protection, saying he believes Chrysler will emerge quickly from bankruptcy as a stronger, more viable company. [Gu Xinrong/Xinhua]
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At the same time, Chrysler announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to form a vibrant new company. It will allow Chrysler and Fiat to fully optimize their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets. Fiat power trains and components will also be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites.
"While I am excited about the creation of the global alliance, I am personally disappointed that today Chrysler has filed for Chapter 11. This was not my first choice," said Bob Nardelli, chairman and CEO of Chrysler.
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An employee works in a Chrysler dealer in New York, the US, in this file photo taken on April 24, 2009. [Gu Xinrong/Xinhua]
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Chrysler also will file a motion under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code requesting the swift approval by the court of the agreement with Fiat and the sale of Chrysler's principal assets to the new company. The benefit of this type of filing is speed. It should allow a leaner new company to emerge in a matter of 30 to 60 days, well positioned for long-term viability.
To push the Chrysler forward, the US government will provide sufficient debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to allow continuation of "business as usual".
