GM selling remaining Suzuki stake for $230M

General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner mentioned last week that, in addition to selling the HUMMER brand, other assets were being evaluated for sale, as well. While no other brands are likely to be sold off besides HUMMER, GM did announce this morning that it's selling all of its remaining stock in Suzuki. GM owns 16,413,000 Suzuki shares, which is about 3% of the Japanese automaker's traded stock. The value of the sale is estimated at $230 million, all of which should help keep the lights on at GM for an extra day or two if some form of government aid isn't approved this week by Congress.
Despite selling off its remaining interest in Suzuki, GM is still very much interested in continuing the two automakers' working relationship and may end up repurchasing a stake in the future. The giant American carmaker's interest in its Japanese competitor has fluctuated over the years, peaking in 2001 when it held over 20% of Suzuki's outstanding shares. In 2006, however, it sold 17.4% before today's unloading of the remaining 3%.


PRESS RELEASE

GM Sells Equity Stake in Suzuki Motor Corp.

Detroit – General Motors Corp. announced today it would sell its remaining equity stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. but based on a mutual agreement would continue the implementation and expansion of its business relationships with the company.

GM plans to sell 16,413,000 Suzuki shares, which is equal to 3 percent of Suzuki's total issued common stock, on the open market. Based on today's market price, the shares are worth approximately $230 million.

GM has held an equity stake in Suzuki since 1981, when it purchased approximately 5.3 percent of the Suzuki shares outstanding. GM's stake was diluted to 3.5 percent in subsequent years, but in 1998 GM increased its holding in Suzuki to 10 percent, and to slightly over 20 percent in 2001. In 2006, GM sold a 17.4 percent stake in Suzuki.

Suzuki and GM will continue promoting and implementing their existing projects, including development and collaboration on advanced technologies such as hybrids and fuel cells; joint operation of their CAMI vehicle manufacturing joint venture in Canada; collaboration on the development of powertrains; the cross-supply of OEM vehicles; joint global purchasing activities; and collaboration on entries in new emerging markets.

"We highly value our strategic relationship with Suzuki," said Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and chief executive officer. "Despite the sale of our remaining Suzuki shares, this action will have no impact on our existing bilateral business relationships. We look forward to continue building on our success to date with our long-term partner."

Suzuki and GM also agreed that they would discuss the repurchase of Suzuki shares by GM, should GM express its desire to do so at a future date.

[ Via: Autoblog (Suzuki) ]
[ Tag: general motors, GeneralMotors, gm, gm suzuki, gm suzuki sale, GmSuzuki, GmSuzukiSale, suzuki ]