Auto Task Force: Dealer Arbitration, Loan Repayments Won’t Jeopardize GM
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration says General Motors Co. is in better financial shape than the federal government anticipated when it arranged $50 billion in assistance last year, Automotive News reported.
The automaker’s bottom line will not be jeopardized by dealer arbitrations that lead to reinstatements or settlements, or by $8 billion in loan repayments to the U.S. and Canadian governments in June, Ron Bloom, head of the administration’s auto task force, told reporters during a news conference.
Bloom made his comments after the U.S. Treasury Department said it and GM changed their loan agreement to require GM to repay, by June, the automaker’s entire $6.7 billion in U.S. debt, along with $1.4 billion owed to the Canadian and Ontario governments. The repayments were originally due in 2015.
The United States still owns 60 percent of GM.
Bloom said rejected-dealership arbitrations, due to begin after the filing deadline today at midnight, “will not produce a material adverse effect on the company.”
More than 1,200 dealerships, most with GM franchises, already have given notice that they intend to pursue arbitration. Arbitrators are due to hand down reinstatement decisions in June.
GM has targeted 2,000 dealerships for full or partial terminations by October.
The Obama administration’s pay restrictions on GM’s senior executives will continue even after the loans are repaid, Bloom said. It hasn’t been determined how long these pay limits will continue, he said.
More Industry

Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →