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GM to cut a further 21,000 jobs GM to cut a further 21,000 jobs
(11 minutes later)
General Motors (GM) is to cut a further 21,000 US jobs this year and phase out its Pontiac brand, as it aims to meet a 1 June deadline to revamp its business.General Motors (GM) is to cut a further 21,000 US jobs this year and phase out its Pontiac brand, as it aims to meet a 1 June deadline to revamp its business.
GM has to complete its restructuring by that date to gain the extra multi-billion dollar government loans it needs to avoid bankruptcy protection.GM has to complete its restructuring by that date to gain the extra multi-billion dollar government loans it needs to avoid bankruptcy protection.
The firm also said it hoped to halve its debts by persuading bondholders to swap $27bn (£19bn) of bonds for shares.The firm also said it hoped to halve its debts by persuading bondholders to swap $27bn (£19bn) of bonds for shares.
GM also wants the government to swap half its current loans for a 50% stake.GM also wants the government to swap half its current loans for a 50% stake.
The government has so far given GM $15.4bn in loans.The government has so far given GM $15.4bn in loans.
Falling salesFalling sales
GM said it also wants its main union, the United Auto Workers, to accept shares in the firm in exchange for cancelling 50% of the $20bn the firm must pay into a union-run healthcare trust.GM said it also wants its main union, the United Auto Workers, to accept shares in the firm in exchange for cancelling 50% of the $20bn the firm must pay into a union-run healthcare trust.
The Pontiac brand has been in existence since 1926
The carmaker said it would phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of the year in order to focus on four brands in the US - Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.The carmaker said it would phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of the year in order to focus on four brands in the US - Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.
GM also said it would reduce the number of its US dealerships.GM also said it would reduce the number of its US dealerships.
After all the proposed changes, existing GM shareholders would own only 1% of the firm.After all the proposed changes, existing GM shareholders would own only 1% of the firm.
GM has already cut 10,000 US jobs this year, announced in February. Following the completion of the latest 21,000 reductions, its American workforce will be reduced to 40,000.GM has already cut 10,000 US jobs this year, announced in February. Following the completion of the latest 21,000 reductions, its American workforce will be reduced to 40,000.
Like US rivals Ford and Chrysler, GM has seen sales fall sharply in its core home market in recent years, a decline that has intensified as the recession has continued.Like US rivals Ford and Chrysler, GM has seen sales fall sharply in its core home market in recent years, a decline that has intensified as the recession has continued.