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Chrysler-Fiat talks intensify, Saturn deal eyed

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-16 16:45

DETROIT -- Fiat SpA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne turned up the heat on talks with struggling US automaker Chrysler on Wednesday as General Motors Corp confirmed a possible buyer for its Saturn network.

Jim Press, president and vice chairman of Chrysler (R) and Frank Klegon (L), executive vice president, product development, pose for photographers with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee at the New York International Auto Show, April 8, 2009. [Agencies]

An investor group that includes private equity firm Black Oak Partners LLC and some Saturn dealers has approached GM about buying the assets of the Saturn brand and distribution network.

Related readings:  Report: GM told to prep for bankruptcy filing  GM, Chrysler launch aid schemes for suppliers  Retirees fear GM failure fallout  GM CEO softens company's opposition to bankruptcy

In late March, the US auto task force rejected the turnaround plans of Chrysler and GM, telling Chrysler it had until April 30 to cement the alliance with Fiat and reach deals to cut its labor costs and debt.

GM was given until the end of May to make much deeper cuts, far quicker than the automaker had envisioned if it wants to hold the $13.4 billion of US government emergency loans it received and additional support.

Marchionne said he saw no reason why Fiat and Chrysler could not complete a proposed alliance by the end of April, a target set by the US auto task force that must decide whether to provide more government aid to the Detroit automaker.

"I intend to reach a good conclusion," Marchionne told reporters at a news conference in Zurich, adding that Fiat has other options as well.

Marchionne, in an interview with the Globe and Mail newspaper published on Wednesday, said a deal on the partnership had only a 50-50 chance of succeeding because of lack of progress in talks between Chrysler and union leaders.

The Canadian Auto Workers union said on Wednesday that it plans to resume talks with Chrysler on Monday that have been stalled since the beginning of April. Those talks are crucial to Chrysler completing an alliance with Fiat.

The chief bargainer for the Canadian union also said he believed Chrysler was close to an agreement with the United Auto Workers in the United States. A representative of Chrysler and of the UAW could not be reached immediately for comment.

Chrysler has until the end of April to forge an alliance with Fiat to qualify for long-term US and Canadian government aid. The deal hinges on Chrysler securing concessions from its unions in Canada and the United States as well as an agreement with those who hold Chrysler's first-lien loans.

Canadian Auto Workers President Ken Lewenza said on Wednesday that labor costs should not stand in the way of the alliance.

Saturn Taker?

GM confirmed discussions with the investor group on Saturn and said it had been in talks with others on the sales of the distribution network and other automakers about supplying vehicles to Saturn. It plans to update Saturn dealers on the progress of the spinoff this week or next week.

The group proposes to turn Saturn and its 440 existing US and Canadian dealerships into a diversified distributorship that would start by sourcing vehicles from GM and eventually offer those from other automakers.

GM has proposed to move forward with its Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC brands in North America, either spinning off or closing Saturn along the way with 2011 as the last model year for the brand.

GM shares gained 11 cents, or 6.2 percent, to close at $1.89 on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

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