GM to Sell Opel to Canada's Magna

Canadian firm wants to buy brands, but deal needs German help

(NEWSER) - Canadian auto supplier Magna wants to buy GM’s European brands, offering Opel and Vauxhall a chance at survival, the Wall Street Journal reports. A deal for Opel would need temporary German funding. Angela Merkel’s government is debating putting up some $2 billion—but wants GM and the US Treasury to separate Opel from the rest of the Detroit firm to ensure the loan doesn’t end up in US creditors’ pockets. More»

European operations won't go to Canadian outfit

(NEWSER) - General Motors backed out today on a deal to sell Opel, its European arm, to a Canadian parts supplier and its Russian banking partners. The GM board’s move reflects an uptick in the auto business, the Financial Times reports, and will also be a blow to the German government, which put great effort into the sale to Magna and its associates. More»

Court ordered stay on asset sale expires

(NEWSER) - General Motors is set to complete its bankruptcy reorganization, the Detroit Free Press reports. The sale of certain GM divisions to the “new” GM—largely owned by the US Treasury—is expected to happen tomorrow, at the expiration of a holding period for opponents of the deal to make objections. Two unidentified parties, likely GM creditors, had sought to file appeals, but their requests were denied. 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) - A Canadian auto supplier took a huge step toward acquiring GM's European brands today, the Wall Street Journal reports. Emerging from negotiations, Germany's finance minister approved Magna's merger with GM's German arm Opel, pledging about $2.1 billion to help keep Opel afloat. But details remain: Germany is still pushing to separate Opel and British Vauxhall from GM, so Berlin's billions don't end up in American pockets. More»