Pay Czar to Limit Top GMAC Execs' Compensation
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration's pay czar is limiting 2010 compensation for top executives at GMAC because the auto-finance giant continues to lose money and can't yet repay its $16.3-billion taxpayer bailout, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Only one of the top 25 earners at GMAC will earn more than $500,000 in cash, and CEO Michael Carpenter will receive only stock compensation, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks. The agreements follow months of wrangling with Kenneth Feinberg, the Treasury Department's special master for executive compensation. They reflect his concern that GMAC has no plan to return to profitability. Feinberg is expected next week to announce 2010 pay packages for the top 25 earners at companies that continue to rely on "extraordinary assistance" from the government, including GMAC, American International Group, General Motors and Chrysler. Last year, Feinberg allowed two GMAC executives to exceed the $500,000 cash cap, and granted Carpenter an annual pay package worth $9.5 million. After becoming CEO in November, Carpenter earned about $1.2 million, including about $120,000 cash, for six weeks' work.
More Industry

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 →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →