Ousted GM Boss Gets $20M Retirement Payout

But President Obama's pay czar could yet step in on that, millions in stock

(NEWSER) - An executive pension plan Bank of America stopped in 2001—along with “golden parachute” balloon payments to execs leaving the company—will yield about $53 million for departing CEO Ken Lewis. Lewis, 62, participated for years in the plan, which was frozen the year he ascended to the top job. Anyone who bought BofA stock that year, Fortune notes, would currently be underwater on their investment. More»

Announces program to help unemployed car owners

(NEWSER) - In his first press conference as CEO of foundering GM, Fritz Henderson today made it clear he wasn’t afraid to talk bankruptcy, saying it was now “more probable,” and that he might even decide to declare bankruptcy before his 60 days were up. “We will do it in court, or we will do it out of court, but we will get the job done,” he said. More»

(NEWSER) - GM’s current restructuring plan isn’t going to cut the mustard, President Obama’s auto task force declared in its stinging assessment for the White House. The memo accuses GM of relying on rosy, unrealistic projections for sales, burning through too much cash, expecting too much from the rollout of the electric Chevy Volt, and giving itself until 2014 to reach many of its goals. The team will force out most of GM’s directors, on the heels of last night’s ouster of CEO Rick Wagoner. More»

(NEWSER) - The White House has forced out General Motors chief Rick Wagoner as part for a more aggressive restructuring of the beleaguered automaker than the company has proposed, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Treasury threatened to withhold billions in federal loans if the chairman and CEO refused to step down. The surprise move came a day before President Obama unveils a new $21.6 billion auto bailout plan today. COO Frederick "Fritz" Henderson will step in temporarily for Wagoner. More»

Wagoner maintains 99% of problems can be solved without filing

(NEWSER) - GM can still avoid bankruptcy, CEO Rick Wagoner said today, telling reporters in Washington that "99%" of the company’s problems could be fixed and that he was working with the UAW and bondholders to reduce debt and costs. Bankruptcy “could work,” he said, “but it might not work,” and would be expensive. Negotiations are complex and ongoing, he said, adding, “This isn’t just two-handed poker.” More»