Court OKs Chrysler Sale to Fiat, Starting Monday

State treasurer argues that deal tramples on bankruptcy law, Constitution

(NEWSER) - Indiana's attempt to block Chrysler's sale to Fiat moves to a federal appeals court today, the Washington Post reports. The state's treasurer, who oversees three state pension and construction funds that hold $42 million of Chrysler's debt, is arguing that the deal to bring the company out of bankruptcy violates bankruptcy law by favoring junior, unsecured creditors over senior ones. More»

Administration triumphs as bankruptcy effectively ends

(NEWSER) - Chrysler finalized its sale of assets to Fiat with a government wire transfer this morning that gave Chrysler $6.6 billion in funds to exit bankruptcy, the New York Times reports. The sale is good news for the Obama administration, which sought an “efficient” restructuring for Chrysler. It may also provide a glimpse into the future of General Motors, also navigating bankruptcy. More»

(NEWSER) - Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg today put a temporary stay on the sale of Chrysler to Italian automaker Fiat, SCOTUSBlog reports. Ginsburg’s motion allows the justices to further consider the matter, and either postpone the sale or let it go forward. A full postponement of the sale would require five judges to agree. Ginsburg’s decision said the sale was “stayed pending further order.” More»

(NEWSER) - Chrysler could shed its bankruptcy protection as soon as today, the Wall Street Journal reports, after Judge Arthur Gonzalez greenlighted the sale of the automaker's assets. Some Chrysler dealers and a group of Indiana pension funds had opposed the deal, which will split Chrysler between Fiat, the UAW, and US and Canadian taxpayers, but the judge waved them off, saying the Fiat partnership was the only viable course for the company. More»

Former Duracell chief sees 'exciting new era' after bankruptcy

(NEWSER) - Post-bankruptcy, Chrysler head Robert Nardelli will cede his position to former Duracell chief C. Robert Kidder. Kidder will run the new Chrysler-Fiat alliance being hashed out in court, the Detroit News reports. Kidder is currently lead director on the board of Morgan Stanley—one of Chrysler’s creditors—and his auto-industry experience is limited to a one-time consultancy. More»