Taxpayer rape continues
GM Probably Needs $4.6 Billion U.S. Loans Before June (Update1)
Henderson didn?t specify when funding, needed for operations, would be required. GM in February asked for as much as $16.6 billion in additional loans, including the $4.6 billion in this quarter. GM is still developing its restructuring plan with U.S. Treasury officials to try to avoid bankruptcy.
?We?ve been working with the Treasury alongside us,? Henderson said. ?It?s much like a private equity due-diligence process. We?re taking the watch apart step-by-step and rebuilding.?
GM will file for bankruptcy protection unless it can restructure out of court by June 1, Henderson said. The automaker is considering the financial implications of all its operations after the Obama administration said last month that GM?s initial plan to cut costs and keep a government loan isn?t sufficient. Henderson says the company is talking with debt holders and unions to get deeper cuts.
GM is developing a proposal to bondholders as fast as possible, ?so think of this as April timing,? Henderson said.
The Detroit-based automaker decided not to sell its AC Delco parts unit and has about three bidders for its Hummer brand, Henderson said. GM said it has several parties interested in buying its Saturn and Saab brands and at least six entities weighing investing in its German Opel unit.
To stay out of court protection, Henderson needs agreements from unions and debt holders for savings beyond GM?s Feb. 17 proposal for slashing $47 billion in unsecured claims by 59 percent.
Formal Offer
GM plans to make a formal offer to bondholders by April 27 to exchange their $27.5 billion in claims for equity, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions. President Barack Obama?s automotive task force told GM to try to restructure its debt out of court, people familiar with the matter said.
GM must slash United Auto Workers health-fund obligations to less than $10.2 billion from $20.4 billion and bond debt to less than $9.2 billion from $27.5 billion, amounts proposed in the now-rejected plan, or face a government-backed bankruptcy. The issues will probably be resolved along similar timelines, he said.
?We have continued dialogue with the UAW on a whole host of issues,? Henderson said, adding that the union?s need to secure an agreement with Chrysler LLC is slowing GM talks. ?While our dialogue is open, I would expect we?d be able to pick up the pace here in the next couple of weeks.?