Speaking in Frankfurt, Fiatsler boss Sergio Marchionne warned the world that post-Cash for Clunkers American auto sales are a “disaster.” Like you didn’t see THAT one coming. Sergio reckons the industry benchmark—the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR)—will fall below the “conservative” 9.5 million SAAR estimated for September. Folks, that’s after August’s 14.1 million number. “Even GM’s Fritz Henderson has thrown in the towel,” iStock Analyst reports, “saying that September will be a ‘very weak’ month.” Me, I’m with Sergio. The September numbers will be so bad that Michael Moore’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a Changing” may even be on Bob Lutz’s iPod. Just kidding. But seriously, what now?

The Treasury has placed new rules on TARP recipients like Chrysler and GM requiring the bailed-out firms to disclose policies on “luxury expenditures” after several banks were found to be spending exorbitant amounts of money on aircraft and offices. The Detroit News reports that firms have until Monday to disclose their spending policies, except for GM which has been granted an undisclosed extension to the policy due to the relative lateness of its emergence from bankruptcy protection. And the decision to take private jets to a bailout request keeps biting GM and Chrysler from beyond the news cycle.

Oh, to be the head of the Presidential Task Force on Automobiles (PTFOA). First, you have to pretend that you’re not running not one but two nationalized American automakers. Hands-on, hands-off, hands-on! Next, you have to beat off failing automotive suppliers with a baseball bat (so to speak). Automotive News [sub] reports that PTFOA jefe Ron Bloom told their Management Briefing Seminar that bankruptcy-bound suppliers get bupkis. But “We’re keeping a very close watch on the supply base.” That said, Bloom’s leaving such mission critical issues to the titular heads of GM and ChryCo—unless supplier meltdowns should suddenly be deemed a “core issue.” In which case, “If we felt it necessary, we might consider something.” But “at the moment, we don’t see that happening.” So it’s sink or swim, until they start to sink. Huh?

The Freep reports that Congress could “shift $2 billion from an energy loan program” to replenish the maybe-tapped-out, maybe-not CARS program. This has been confirmed by the AAM’s Charles Territo who tells us that “HR 3435, would allow the President to transfer $2 billion dollars from previously appropriated Recovery Act funds in order to fund the CARS Act. Will be voted on today.” The plan is being spearheaded by the White House and Michigan’s congressional delegation. The House will vote on the extension today, the last day to do so before Summer recess. The Senate will remain in session into next week, but C4C faces more opposition there from the likes of Dianne Feinstein. Meanwhile, has round one even been used up?

Her neighbors to the south may not recognize the fact (even parenthetically), but Canada kicked-in as-yet-uncounted billions in federal funds to keep the Chrysler and GM zombies in a vertical position. Whatever the final tally, the Motown subsidy was the largest bailout in Canadian history. In exchange, they received a seat on both automakers’ Board of Directors. Ottawa and Toronto chose Carol Stephenson, dean of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, to bop on down to RenCen to see what’s shaking. Auburn Hills hosts George Gosbee of Tristone Capital. OK, so how much are they getting paid for their time? They ain’t saying, exactly. And Canadians are not happy. Specifically, the Edmonton Journal:

Words are cheap. Detroit bailouts are expensive; the feds have spent more than $100 billion on the Motown meltdown. But don’t worry. Be happy. According to Reuters, “President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that General Motors and Chrysler Group were companies worth saving, but he expects both to repay their government loans.” But? The Prez made his prediction to celebrate the latest stats from the car buyers’ bailout (a.k.a. Cash-for-Clunkers or C.A.R.S. program). Even Reuters isn’t buying that one—much. Apparently, it’s all about the mix. “The impact on GM, Chrysler and Ford Motor was not immediately clear with passenger car sales outpacing those of pickups and sport utilities.” Translation: the Big Three need pickup and SUV sales to survive. Fair dinkum, albeit on a very, very small scale in this case. It gets better/worse . . .

More testimony over the fate of GM and Chrysler’s culled dealers yesterday revealed possible compromises, although consensus is still elusive. Chrysler VP and Associate General Counsel Lou Ann Van Der Wiele told the House Judiciary Committee (via the NYT) to ignore the pleas of Chrysler’s 789 slashed dealers, explaining that dealer reinstatement would be the end of Chrysler as we’re getting to know it. “Legislation aimed at reversing some of the painful but necessary actions taken during Old Carco’s bankruptcy will simply take Chrysler back to the future that Old Carco faced not long ago—and this time, without the option of a purchaser for substantially all of its assets. Complete liquidation, with all of its dire consequences, could follow.” But then, “complete liquidation with all its dire consequences” could follow if The New Chrysler ate the wrong tuna sandwich.

File this one under the “stealth bailout” file. GM dumped a number of its own pension obligations onto Delphi when the parts supplier was spun off in 1999. Now, the Detroit News reports that Delphi is abandoning $6.25 billion worth of obligations to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, the second largest such takeover by amount. But the 70,000 affected Delphi workers and retirees will still miss out on an estimated $800 million in payments. And what does GM have to say about all this? The General’s statement (via webnewswire) betrays a guilty conscience:

There have been questions about General Motors Company’s responsibility toward Delphi’s pension plans, given that many of those covered were GM employees prior to GM spinning off Delphi in 1999. General Motors Corporation made appropriate provisions for the plans at the time of the spin-off, and Delphi became responsible for the plans from that point forward.

See how that works? Who cares that GM spun Delphi off as a means of jettisoning pensions. Once the deal was done it was Delphi’s problem. Move along now, nothing to see here . . .

In prepared testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee, Car Czarlet Ron Bloom revealed that the government would no longer back GM and Chrysler warranties. “With the successful emergence of the new companies, consumers can now feel assured that the companies have the financial wherewithal to meet their warranty commitments on a continuing basis,” Bloom said. The $641 million spent by the government on the warranty program has been returned to the Treasury with interest, reveals Bloom. “This achievement represented a prudent short-term use of taxpayer funds,” was his conclusion. GM spokesfolks tell Automotive News [sub] that The General never even tapped the fund, while Chrysler reps are mum on the subject.

Facing a House vote tomorrow on legislation that would repeal GM and Chrysler’s dealer cuts, President Obama is urging congress to not interfere with his auto industry restructuring. Automotive News [sub] quotes an Obama statement calling the cull “a critical part of their overall restructuring to achieve long-term viability.” The Obama statement alleges that “it would set a dangerous precedent, potentially raising legal concerns, to intervene into a closed judicial bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of one particular group at this point.” Because intervention on behalf of one particular group may only be done during a bankruptcy, by the government. Rep Steven Latourette, one of the bill’s sponsors, predicted that his legislation would pass the House “by a wide margin.”

From Reuters comes word that Car Czarlet Steven Rattner will be leaving the Presidential Task Force On Autos. The move “represents the start of a long-planned wind down of the autos panel” according to Reuters’ interpretation of an anonymous White House source. “With GM’s restructuring complete, Steven Rattner, whose leadership and vision were invaluable to the Auto Task Force’s efforts, has decided to transition back to private life and his family in New York City,” explains a statement from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. “We are extremely grateful to Steve for his efforts in helping to strengthen GM and Chrysler, recapitalize GMAC, and support the American auto industry. I hope that he takes another opportunity to bring his unique skills to government service in the future.” Unique skills? Is Rattner getting blown off or is this Mission Accomplished? A little of both?

Consumers have a hard enough time keeping all the brands and nameplates in the US market straight; trying to keep track of the myriad suppliers that make up the bulk of the industry is nearly impossible. Even here on TTAC, our well-informed commentariat often throws up its hands at the first sign of supplier coverage. But the fortunes of suppliers to US auto firms have been fading for years now, as Detroit’s misery slides downhill through the various tiers of suppliers. And despite repeated calls for a supplier bailout (and their use as OEM bailout bait), aid has been either misappropriated or rejected. And the bankruptcies show no signs of slowing.

Manny Lopez has a cow about Tesla’s $465 million Department of Energy loan over at the Detroit News, concluding that tax dollars shouldn’t “be spent, propping up millionaires and billionaires, who, unlike their Detroit CEO brethren, fly in private planes when they’re not toying around town in their electric cars.” And why is it that Detroit’s CEOs don’t fly on corporate jets? Oh, right. Sweet Pete DeLorenzo lays into Tesla as well, saying it got the loans “so that it can become a real car company instead of a boondoggle that makes outrageously overpriced battery-eating kit cars.” MLive‘s Rick Haglund even figures Elon Musk’s divorce-by-blog reflects an unseriousness that makes his firm undeserving of taxpayer support.

GM spokesfolks confirm to Automotive News [sub] that the deadline to submit bids for the General Motors asset sale has passed. And surprise! Nobody has taken on the Treasury in the 363 sale’s bidding process. Sorry, America. But AP Services LLC, an affiliate of AlixPartners is having its $58.9 million in fees contested by the US Bankruptcy Trustee. In addition to a $20 million retainer and $16 million for services provided in May, AP Services stands to receive another $13 million upon the completion of the Section 363 sale. As RF’s General Motors Zombie Watch 7 reports, the consulting firm also “seeks a discretionary fee of an unknown but potentially unlimited amount that will be determined” at the sole discretion of GM. The US Trustee is also objecting to the $46.6 million in fees paid to Evercore Group LLC, another GM restructuring consultant.

TTAC reader and marketing consultant John Charles of Stockholm, Sweden, was gracious enough to send us some more info on investor Mark Bishop, the man who would be king of Saab.

Hi, I read your very interesting piece on Mark Bishop and SAAB. However you (unintentionally, I imagine) missed out a few details. I have found out that Bishop was involved as President of the rather shady Quick Loan Funding. It is understandable that Bishop chooses not to mention his time at QLF in his CV.

File this one under “You’re Talking a Lot, But You’re Not Saying Anything.” The Detroit News‘ “wide ranging” interview Presidential Task Force on Automobiles (PTFOA) jefe Steve Rattner’s ranges entirely over well-trodden ground. In fact, you’ve got to give the DetN credit for publishing an entire pow-wow with the man behind the meltdown without revealing a GD thing. Well, other than the between the lines stuff. Like the “I’m a car guy now” subtext to this lump of coal: “We found that the game plan that we had designed back in the March time period actually worked,” “Chooch” Rattner told the Detroit News. “It’s like you build a new car and you take it out and you test drive it and it actually works. It made us feel pretty good going into GM — even though we know GM is bigger and more complicated — that we should be able to accomplish a similar result albeit over a slightly longer period of time.” I like that sense of surprise: this thing actually works! Wing and a prayer GM engineering at its best. Anyway, more . . .

After my Wall Street Journal Op-Ed gave Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank serious shit for personally intervening with GM’s turnaround plans—to save a parts distribution warehouse in his district—the WSJ has gone on the attack. OK, sure, they would have done it anyway. It probably had nothing to do with me whatsoever. Anyway, personal ego issues aside, the WSJ‘s forced Barney to explain his influence-peddling. Apparently, it was OK for the TARP-meister to ring-up GM CEO Fritz Henderson and ask (demand?) for the Norton facility to remain open because . . . it’s not a factory or a dealership. The headline above offers the politician’s distinction. Which begs a number of questions: how is a parts distribution center environmentally friendly? Does he seriously expect us to believe that he acted to save the planet? And if he can mess with GM, what’s to stop his colleagues?

GM has bowed to political pressure, deciding that it won’t use taxpayer money to import compact vehicles from China. Instead, Aveo II (a.k.a. the Chevy Viva) will be built at one of three existing GM plants. (Hello, DOE retooling loans!) Up for the contract are Michigan’s Orion Township, Tennessee’s Spring Hill and Wisconsin’s Janesville assembly plants, and GM’s Troy Clarke is meeting with workers and unions from the three locales in order to determine the best site for Viva production. Oh, did I say workers and unions? I meant congressional delegations. Because, in the post Barney Frank-gate environment, “(GM’s choice is) going to be based on pure business decision,” according to Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI). Would Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) like to clarify? “We’ve been in the front line of pain and we very much believe that one of the factors that should be taken into account is the impact of other decisions,” Levin tells the DetN. Gosh, that sounds almost . . . political. Hit the jump to find out which congressional delegation is most likely to build the new generation of GM compacts.

Not thrilled meaning, I suppose, that they’re not in favor of it. Using that definition, AutoPacific’s summation of their survey of 900 Americans is an example of English understatement. According to their poll, “Fifty-four percent of respondents believe that General Motors should have been allowed to fail, while 58% believe that Chrysler should have been allowed to fail.” Not too bad you say, the words “simple majority” springing to your lips. Anyway. It’s a done deal. Yes, well, “Eighty-one percent of the respondents agree that the faster the government gets out of the auto business, the better.” The government’s counter-argument? We agree with your agreement! Meanwhile, don’t worry: good things are going to happen! The voters aren’t quite so happy-clappy at the prospect . . .

That’s the question motivating an alternative plan for the government’s “investment” in GM drafted by Sen. Lamar Alexander. Under Alexander’s plan, the Treasury secretary would be required to distribute the government’s GM and Chrysler stock to the 120m or so Americans who submitted tax returns for 2008. “This is the fastest way to get the stock out of the hands of Washington and back into the hands of the American people who paid for it,” said Alexander. The proposal, which Alexander plans on attaching to the current tobacco regulation bill would:

• Prohibit the Treasury from using any more TARP funds to bailout GM or Chrysler.
• So long as the government holds stock in these companies, require that the Secretary of the Treasury and his designee have a fiduciary responsibility to the American taxpayer to maximize the return on that investment.
• Not later than one year after each company emerges from bankruptcy, require that the Treasury distribute its common stock holdings in that company evenly to every American who paid taxes on April 15.

Thanks to my free market-based, anti-bailout stance, some of TTAC’s Best and Brightest view me as an autoblogospherical arch-conservative. Which often leads to comparisons to or, at least, invocations of Rush Limbaugh. This despite the fact that I’ve pointed out that the liberal’s largest (in all senses of the word) bogeyman has been sucking on GM’s adver-teat for years, artfully slipping references to “wonderful GM products” and “this great American company” into his rants. Until, that is, Ralph Nader filed a complaint with the FCC. At which point Rush continued to accept GM payola for his personal imprimatur, only with a disclaimer. During this “transition,” I’ve highlighted Limbaugh’s (and Hannity’s) resulting philosophical discomfort (i.e., hypocrisy) on the Motown meltdown. Blame it on unions, congress, anyone but the people signing their paychecks. OK, so, the Detroit News reports that el-Rushbo is now calling for a GM boycott. Ish.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has ordered that the sale of Chrysler to Fiat is “stayed pending further order,” reports the AP. “Was TARP money used illegally?” asks the WSJ Deal Journal. It won’t be easy to prove, is the professorial opinion. Oh, and did we mention that the Obama administration has filed a brief ( PDF via the excellent scotusblog) against the initial plea, arguing that TARP issues are out of bounds for the courts? Meanwhile, Fiat’s walk-away deadline of the 15th draws closer every minute. Hit the jump for Bader-Ginsburg’s inscrutable order (and more! Thanks for the tips!).

Don’t worry Detroit: you’re not being singled out for “special” federal supervision (perish the thought). The New York Times reports that Congress is taking control of the pay and compensation for all beneficiaries of federal largesse who’ve double-dipped into the taxpayer’s purse. “The Obama administration plans to require banks and corporations that have received two rounds of federal bailouts to submit any major executive pay changes for approval by a new federal official who will monitor compensation, according to two government officials.” A Pay Czar! Heads-up, bosses, meet the new boss of bosses: Kenneth Feinberg. You may remember Mr. Feinberg as the 9/11 victims’ compensating lawyer originally tipped to be Obama’s Car Czar—a job so big the Prez eventually gave it to Wall Street insider Steve Rattner and 24 of his closest friends. Anyway, there’s an important (if not exactly auto-oriented) dynamic in play here . . .

Regular readers will know that we’ve taken Washington Post carmudgeon Warren Brown to task for his shameless Motown cheerleading up to and through the federal bailout. You may have also noticed a huge disconnect between Warren’s blind bailout boosterism and his paper’s entirely skeptical stance on federal intervention in the U.S. automotive industry. In an ironic twist of fate, Warren’s decided to take the WaPo’s latest buyout offer—and do so with all of the grace displayed by his bailout boosting pals in The Motor City. He leaves the paper spilling vitriol all over his colleague’s rejection of Uncle Sam’s “investment” in Government Motors.

Not much info here, but the story’s major thread is clear enough. After discovering that Massachusetts Congressional Representative Barney Frank won a reprieve for a local GM operation, Michigan Reps are looking for some of the same non-action for their constituents. The Detroit Free Press is uncharacteristically tight-lipped (uninformed?) about the who, when and where—although we know the what and why (staying elected). “Michigan members of Congress summoned the chief executive of General Motors Corp. to a meeting next week after the company bowed to pressure from U.S. Rep. Barney Frank and delayed the closing of a parts warehouse in his district.” The Detroit News is more forthcoming, indicating that it’s the entire Michigan congressional delegation asking for various stays. This after Dingell’s open letter to Fritz on the first . . .

Bloomberg reports that Argentina will loan $70 million to GM out of its $24 billion recently-nationalized social security fund. In return, GM has promised to use the money to complete the Brazil-based development of the forthcoming Chevy Viva. And according to Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez DeKirchner, “one of the conditions we demanded to provide this loan is that all the auto parts used in this project have to be locally made.” As we reported earlier, GM claims it will produce the Viva in the US. With no apparent guarantees about parts sourcing.

Here’s an email making the rounds amongst GM’s remaining employees:

Just announced: Now through June 30, 2009, the GM Employee Discount for Friends program* lets you share employee pricing with anyone you know who owns a competitive vehicle. It’s the ideal way to get more friends into GM vehicles.

Here’s how it works:

Previously, on Who Wants to Own an Automaker, I estimated the Motown meltdown has sucked more than $100 billion from the taxpayers’ purse. I forgot to mention the tax breaks that the Treasury Department will bestow upon “new” Chrysler and “new” GM. The Desert Sun reports that GM will benefit from Uncle Sam’s new rules for bailout recipients—’cause we don’t want a government-owned/controlled/supported enterprise to pay taxes to the government, now do we? “The notices have the full effect of a law, even though they aren’t reviewed or approved by Congress. They also apply to banks and other financial firms receiving money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.” Remember “these are not ordinary times. The Treasury Department has, in effect, suspended long-standing tax rules for companies that receive bailout money, providing benefits not available to firms that don’t receive government help.” The Sun says GM could avoid some $12 billion in taxes. Wait; did you spot the loophole?

Bloomberg reports that the US Treasury has decided to bless post-C11 Fiat-controlled Chrysler with a $6.6 billion dowry. And just for S&G, the feds will write a check to pre-C11 GM for an “extra” $360.6 million, earmarked for its presidentially guaranteed warranty program. (That’s thanks to the Troubled Asset Relief Program, for some reason.) “The assistance brings to $19.76 billion the total that Detroit-based GM has received so far,” Bloomies tallies. Oh, and “new” Chrysler is also set to scarf an additional $350 million under a loss-sharing deal with GMAC LLC. Rounding it up a bit . . .

After taking plenty o’ heat for “helping” Chrysler and GM shit-can nearly 2000 car dealers, the Obama administration has arranged a little sugar for the remaining stores—and then some. They’ve created a federal loan guarantee program for dealer inventory financing that’s worth, you guessed it, billions. Automotive News [AN, sub] reveals that the Small Business Administration’s “pilot” program for car dealers (women and domestics first?) will run from July 1 to September 30, 2010. And what, pray tell, do the lucky, politically-connected car dealers get for our money?

Bloomberg reports that General Motors drew $2 billion more than previously announced, feeding the cash burn raging amongst the company’s embers (or something like that). May’s federal payout brings The General’s monthly total to $4 billion. Not including the new $7.5 billion payment heading to its former captive still current lender GMAC. Which is on top of the $5 billion already propping-up the eleventh hour bank. And the $1 billion given to GM earmarked GMAC. Anyway, re: today’s $2 billion overdraft, GM is characteristically contrite. “Today’s loan draw is higher than the amount forecasted in the April 27, 2009 S-4 Filing for the Bond Exchange Offer and reflects updated timing of when certain expenses would be incurred. Total U.S. Treasury funding received by GM to date is $19.4 billion.”

According to the Detroit Free Press, opposition to the Presidential-Task-Force-on-Automobiles-administered Motown meltdown mishegos is “growing.” Who’d a thunk it? But wait! “They” are not voters fed up with dozens of bailout billions shoveled down a Chrysler and GM-shaped rathole. Nor are “they” free marketeers objecting to a sitting president telling a CEO to take a hike. Nope, the Freep is referring to Congress critters representing the Chrysler and GM dealers terminated with extreme prejudice. “Dealers were the focal point of a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday under Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., where industry critic Ralph Nader said the rescue plans were ‘a conclusive death star to tens of thousands of jobs.'” When asked by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, whether Obama’s auto task force was “unsafe at any speed,” Nader, author of a 1960s exposé by the same moniker on the dangers of the Chevy Corvair, replied: “Can we please stick with my metaphor?” No, seriously, he said, “Yes—worse than that.” Which is almost as nonsensical. [NB: Is there such a thing as a non-conclusive Death Star?] Anyway, here’s what makes this particular special interest group so special . . .

Anyone out there keeping track of how much money the federal government has plowed into GM, as the automaker downsizes to death? The Washington Post reckons that the next post-bankruptcy tranche—the debtor-in-possession financing needed to cleave GM into “good” and “bad” bits and keep both balls in the air—will be $30 billion. The paper also claims that this will bring taxpayer’s contributions to $45 billion. The $15 billion difference, originally sold as a “bridge loan”? Forgiven. Gone. In exchange for their largesse, “the government plans to take at least 50 percent of the restructured company . . . and the right to name members to its board of directors, as it has at Chrysler, where the government will control four of nine seats.” Although this bailout madness began last year, if we use IHS Global Insight’s recently recalculated GM production figures (GM will build 1.7 million vehicles this year), $45 billion represents a federal contribution of $26,470 per car. That’s provided you don’t add-in Uncle Sam’s $13.5 billion “investment” in automotive lender GMAC. And all the other stuff.

Don’t look at me. I already gave at the office. Gentlemen, I refer you to the $5 billion already allocated to prop up automotive suppliers attached to domestic car makers with an umbilical chord made of piano wire. OK, that particular area of the bailout buffet table is shrouded in red tape at the moment. But do the suppliers seriously expect Uncle Sam to stump-up some $8.3 billion per year for the next four years to help them keep the lights on? That’s how much cash they’ll need, according to a new study by A.T. Kearney. And Kearney’s boys reckon they’ll get it. “A disorderly wind-down of key suppliers could also potentially shut other OEMs,” A.T. Kearney partner, Dan Cheng, said in the PR release accompanying the tome. And he expects the government will do “everything it can” to help the industry. Ready for the kicker?