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GM leaves bankruptcy protection GM leaves bankruptcy protection
(10 minutes later)
General Motors (GM) says it has emerged from bankruptcy after signing a deal allowing it to sell its best assets to a "new GM". General Motors (GM) says it has emerged from bankruptcy protection after creating a "new GM" made up of the carmaker's best assets.
GM chief executive Fritz Henderson said "today marks a new beginning for GM". GM chief executive Fritz Henderson said it was the beginning of a "new era".
The new, leaner GM will own the company's key assets such as Buick and will be 61% owned by the US government. The new, leaner GM will own four key brands including Cadillac and will be 61% owned by the US government.
GM is in the process of selling off its other brands such as Hummer, Saab and its GM Europe arm, which owns Vauxhall and Opel.GM is in the process of selling off its other brands such as Hummer, Saab and its GM Europe arm, which owns Vauxhall and Opel.
GM filed for bankruptcy protection on 1 June, saying it would be forced to liquidate if the plan was not approved. Mr Henderson said that GM would take the "intensity, decisiveness and speed" of the bankruptcy process and apply it to the new company.
NEW GM'S BRANDS ChevroletGMCCadillacBuick What the changes mean for GM
The new GM will operate with 27,000 fewer US employees and 13 fewer US car plants compared with last year.
It said it planned to repay its government loans as soon as possible, before the current 2015 deadline.
GM hopes to float the company on the stock exchange again "as soon as practical".
Smaller and leanerSmaller and leaner
GM filed for bankruptcy protection on 1 June, saying it would be forced to liquidate if the plan was not approved.
A new, smaller GM is being created with a reduced workforce, smaller dealer network and less debt.A new, smaller GM is being created with a reduced workforce, smaller dealer network and less debt.
BRANDS TO GO Pontiac*Saturn#Saab#Hummer#Opel#Vauxhall# *= to be discontinued/# = to be soldBRANDS TO GO Pontiac*Saturn#Saab#Hummer#Opel#Vauxhall# *= to be discontinued/# = to be sold
It will operate the strongest parts of the old company, with only its Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC brands remaining.It will operate the strongest parts of the old company, with only its Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC brands remaining.
The firm is getting $60bn (£37.3bn) in financing from the US Treasury, which gives the US government a 61% share in the new GM, while the United Auto Workers union will have 17.5%.The firm is getting $60bn (£37.3bn) in financing from the US Treasury, which gives the US government a 61% share in the new GM, while the United Auto Workers union will have 17.5%.
Canada's government will have a 12% share and GM bondholders will own about 10% in the new company.Canada's government will have a 12% share and GM bondholders will own about 10% in the new company.
The US government has said it does not want to be involved in the day-to-day running of GM.The US government has said it does not want to be involved in the day-to-day running of GM.