NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The major banks that loaned Chrysler LLC about $7 billion have agreed to significantly reduce that debt, according to the Treasury Department, a move that could save the struggling automaker from having to file for bankruptcy later this week.
“The agreement from Chrysler’s principal banks is an exceptional accomplishment in line with the President’s firm commitment that all stakeholders sacrifice to make this deal succeed,” said an administration official Tuesday.
The company still needs to win a rank-and-file ratification vote Wednesday of a tentative labor deal reached with leadership of the United Auto Workers union late Sunday, and wrap up an alliance with Italian automaker Fiat before the Thursday deadline set out by the federal government.
But the deal with lenders was generally thought to be the most difficult hurdle the company had to clear in the final week before the deadline.
Details of the debt reduction deal were not immediately available. The Washington Post reported that creditors agreed to cut the $6.9 billion in secured loans owed to them to $2 billion in return for an equity stake in a reorganized Chrysler.
