Chrysler to Declare Bankruptcy: White House

By Marie Morris,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 30, 2009 8:22 AM CDT
Chrysler to Declare Bankruptcy: White House
A lot attendant inspects one of hundreds of Chrysler cars sitting ready for final assembly and shipping at the assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario on Monday, April 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

Having failed to make a deal with the creditors to which it owes some $7 billion, Chrysler will declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy later today, a White House official tells CNN. The filing does not mean the company will cease operations—rather, it represents an opportunity to execute a merger with Fiat. President Obama expressed optimism during last night's press conference "that we can see a resolution that maintains a viable Chrysler auto company."

Chrysler failed to meet today's Treasure Department deadline to put its house in order because it was unable to convince some smaller creditors to accept less than the company owed to discharge its debt. "After a month of tireless negotiations, the Administration went into yesterday afternoon with the full support of Chrysler's key stakeholders, including the UAW and the largest creditors. That support remains," said a White House official.
(More Chrysler stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X