In a short news meeting in New York this week, Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Fiat could raise cash to purchase more of Chrysler by selling assets such as component unit Magneti Marelli according to Reuters.
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Marchionne stated that Fiat would not however raise money from banks to finance the planned purchase. Fiat is looking to avoid tapping the "debt or equity markets to raise cash" according to Reuters. Fiat currently owns 58.5 percent of Chrysler.
"Fiat states there is no specific project in such respect, and believes that there is no need for a capital increase," Fiat said in a statement to Reuters.
In the current economy, Marchionne said the "availability of cash is crucial", and that it is better to be safe than sorry right now.
Fiat is determined to obtain full control over Chrysler however, and plans on buying the remaining 41 percent through a health care trust associated with the United Auto Workers union within the next couple of years.
The trust reportedly helps support retired Chrysler workers, and is a "voluntary employees beneficiary association" according to the UAW website. Raising the funds would allow Fiat to restructure debt, earn more money, and support the current struggling European operations company while the economy tries to recover.
"If the court eventually rules in Fiat's favor, Fiat will buy the further 16.4 percent cheaply and probably wouldn't need to raise cash," said another person familiar with the matter. "If the court rules against Fiat, it might decide to make an offer for the entire 41.5 percent and will need to raise cash."
Chrysler is currently worth between $9 billion and $13.4 billion according to a UBS estimate last month. This would mean the 14.5 percent share would be worth approximately $4.1 billion to $5.5 billion.
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