Steven Rattner

What's Behind Lutz’s Chevy Volt Tirade?

Submitted by Mark Modica on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 11:26

Bob Lutz & Volt Well-respected car guy and General Motors supporter, Bob Lutz, posted a piece on Forbes that attacked "right-wing" criticism of the Chevy Volt. With all due respect and noting that I have nowhere near the credentials of Mr. Lutz, I feel it appropriate to respond to the ridiculous defense that we have seen of a vehicle that is costing taxpayers billions of dollars while offering little in return. I also have some questions of my own for Mr. Lutz and GM.

Shafted Delphi Retirees Suing Treasury, Auto Task Force

Submitted by Mark Modica on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 13:25

GM UAW Delphi logos The unprecedented intrusion of the executive branch of the US government into the American auto industry when the Obama Administration orchestrated the General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcy processes is now leading to unprecedented responses. Groups that were clearly discriminated against and had their rights subordinated to politically powerful unions may actually have a winnable case against our own government as lawsuits are being brought against the US Treasury Dept. and others.

GM’s Chevy Volt 'Bait and Switch'

Submitted by Mark Modica on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 10:52

According to a report by the Detroit News, General Motors claims that it now has fewer than 100 Chevy Volts sitting on dealer lots. In addition, only 1 in 9 dealers are offering the vehicles for sale. However, a search for Volt inventory on the cars.com website uncovers 500 new Chevy Volts advertised for sale to the public. This data confirms that GM dealerships are using a version of "bait and switch" to lure consumers into showrooms by advertising Chevy Volts that are not truly available for purchase.

Auto Bailout Czar Ron Bloom Changes Story

Submitted by Mark Modica on Tue, 07/19/2011 - 11:18

On Friday night, I discussed White House staffer Ron Bloom's statement that the auto bailout was done for the unions, and his subsequent denial of making such a claim, only to now back off his denial. The show was America's Nightly Scorecard on Fox Business Channel. Here's a transcript:

Let's Not Forget Ethical Shortcomings of Auto Bailout

Submitted by Mark Modica on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 08:53

The auto bailouts are now being touted by President Obama as a "success" even though the taxpayer is about to take at least a $10 billion hit when the government sells its remaining GM shares. There is, however, a missing dimension in this debate. It is the moral one.

Prior to General Motors filing for bankruptcy in June of 2009, I was involved as a GM bondholder advocate for a group called the Mainstreet Bondholders. Attempts were made by my group to bring about fair negotiations for creditors of GM, attempts that were ignored by the Obama Administration's Auto Task Force, headed by Steven Rattner. The Task Force stated that their goal was to restructure GM outside of bankruptcy as they laid out a "take it or leave it" bond exchange offer that was supposedly designed to keep GM out of bankruptcy.

We Told You So: Taxpayers to Take Massive Hit on GM Bailout

Submitted by Peter Flaherty on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 07:46

This week I am attending the New York International Auto Show and already there is plenty of news. The Wall Street Journal is today reporting that the government will "sell a significant share of its remaining stake in General Motors Co. this summer despite the disappointing performance of the auto maker's stock."

GM's share price yesterday dipped below $30. It was already under its IPO price was $33. For taxpayers to break even, shares would have to rise to $53, now increasingly unlikely. In fact, the stock is probably headed down. The Treasury understands this and wants to get out before the situation becomes even worse. The sales would probably take place sooner if not for the fact that the shares are locked up until May 22.

Is Japan Crisis GM's Latest Excuse?

Submitted by Mark Modica on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 15:42

Last week, ex-car czar Steven Rattner seemed to pre-emptively blame rising gas prices for problems at bailed-out General Motors. Now AP reports that GM says that it will cut unnecessary spending in the wake of the Japan disaster. Here's a novel thought for GM executives, you shouldn't be spending taxpayer money unnecessarily in the first place! Beyond that, I get the sense that the crisis in Japan will be the next excuse for the continued underperformance of GM stock since its IPO.

Ex-Car Czar Acknowledges GM Problems

Submitted by Peter Flaherty on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 17:51

Appearing today on CNBC, Steven Rattner, the former head of President Obama's auto task force, made some surprising observations that undermine his previously articulated optimism about the future of bailed-out General Motors. Although he cleverly tried to lump Ford in with GM, he acknowledged GM's recent reliance on incentives to sell autos:

GM Shares Will Likely Never Break Even for Taxpayers

Submitted by Peter Flaherty on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 17:59

Part 1: GM by the Numbers GM chart

News coverage of General Motors over the past few weeks has painted an increasingly glowing picture, but here's a dose of reality: GM still has not repaid taxpayers for the bailout and it's looking less and less like taxpayers will ever be made whole.

Is Ford's Earnings Miss a Harbinger of a GM Disappointment?

Submitted by Mark Modica on Fri, 01/28/2011 - 14:04

car plunge graphic Ford stock is taking a hit today after reporting earnings that missed analysts' estimates. European losses accounted for much of the earnings disappointment. General Motors is also known to have major issues with its European brand, Opel. GM recently assigned Alix Partners to oversee their European unit's "turnaround" plan. Alix Partners is a bankruptcy consulting firm that was hired by GM prior to their own bankruptcy filing. This is just one of many risk factors that have been glossed over by media coverage.