Cerberus Close to Consuming Chrysler

Ford, GM see hope for restructuring labor costs

(NEWSER) - The sale of Chrysler to private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management could be a watershed for the entire industry, the Wall Street Journal predicts. Cerberus thinks it can make the embattled carmaker profitable by restructuring its debilitating $18-billion health care and pension liability. If it succeeds without resorting to bankruptcy—which the airlines have found necessary—GM and Ford will surely follow. More»

(NEWSER) - Der Spiegel vivisects Cerberus, the private equity group that won Chrysler for a relative bargain today from German auto giant Daimler. Financier Stephen Feinberg's 15-year-old firm has $60 billion in assets, and specializes in companies on the brink of bankruptcy. The group avoids the spotlight, recruits former CEOs and politicians, including John Snow and Dan Quayle, and flips its holdings expeditiously. More»

German firm keeps minority stake in American auto giant

(NEWSER) - DaimlerChrysler has sold a majority stake in the Chrysler Group to the American private-equity firm Cerberus for $7.4 billion, the auto giant announced today. The deal unhooks the money-losing American arm of the international conglomerate from its German partner, which will retain a 19.9% stake in Chrysler and change its name to Daimler AG as soon as this fall. More»

Detroit legend's fate may be decided in a German boardroom -- but tk can't seem to get out of first gear

(NEWSER) - DaimlerChrysler is trying to unload its clunky Detroit half, its CEO (and occasional company mascot) Dieter Zetsche confirmed at a shareholder's meeting today. The news, which comes after nearly two months of eager speculation, was a relief to frustrated German shareholders, who have long seen Chrysler as a drag on the Daimler-Benz brand. Now Chrysler just needs to find a suitor. More»

(NEWSER) - The United Auto Workers are about to own Chrysler. In exchange for a variety of concessions, the union will eventually get a 55% majority share in the automaker, according to a summary of the restructuring deal, which was sent to union leaders late last night and reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. Fiat will eventually own 35% of the stock, with taxpayers and creditors divvying up the remaining 10%. More»