The Treasury Department, trying to stabilize the battered auto industry, said today it will provide up to $5 billion in financing to troubled auto parts suppliers who are linked to Detroit’s carmakers.
The funds would be made available from the government’s Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP, said members of the Obama administration’s auto task force. It would create a financial entity similar to a revolving credit to provide financing for auto parts that large suppliers have shipped to the Big Three automakers but have not yet been paid for.
U.S. automakers — General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co. — would have the option of using the program and would be required to pay a 5 percent fee of up to $250 million to join. The car makers would designate the parts suppliers who need financing and the suppliers would have to agree to terms of the government-backed protection and pay a small fee for the right to participate.
GM and Chrysler, which have received $17.4 billion in government loans, said they would use the program. Ford, which has not sought the government aid, said in a statement it would not participate “as we remain viable and expect no issue with continued payments to our suppliers.”
Members of the auto task force, who spoke on condition of anonymity because their discussions have been private, said the financing was a first step in restructuring the auto industry. The panel is expected to provide a framework for the revamping of GM and Chrysler by March 31. (AP)
