Opel sale process terminated
November 03 2009 - 5:37PM
PR Newswire (US)
AURORA, ON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Magna International
Inc. (TSX: MG.A, NYSE: MGA) today announced that it has been
advised by General Motors ("GM") that the GM Board of Directors has
decided to terminate the sale process for Opel. Siegfried Wolf,
Magna's Co-Chief Executive Officer stated: "We understand that the
Board concluded that it was in GM's best interests to retain Opel,
which plays an important role within GM's global organization. We
will continue to support Opel and GM in the challenges ahead and
wish to thank everyone who supported the Opel restructuring process
for their tireless efforts and dedication over the past several
months. In particular, we wish to thank our partner, Sberbank, for
its significant contribution and support throughout this process."
We are the most diversified global automotive supplier. We design,
develop and manufacture technologically advanced systems,
assemblies, modules and components, and engineer and assemble
complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment
manufacturers ("OEMs") of cars and light trucks. Our capabilities
include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of
automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; body
and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior
systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; as well as complete
vehicle engineering and assembly. We have approximately 72,000
employees in 242 manufacturing operations and 86 product
development, engineering and sales centres in 25 countries.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS -------------------------- This press
release may contain statements that, to the extent that they are
not recitations of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation. Forward-looking statements may include financial and
other projections, as well as statements regarding our future
plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumptions
underlying any of the foregoing. We use words such as "may",
"would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate",
"believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate" and
similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any
such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and
analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception
of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate
in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and
developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is
subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties,
including, without limitation: the potential for an extended global
recession, including its impact on our liquidity; the persistence
of low production volumes and sales levels; restructuring of the
global automotive industry and the impact on the financial
condition and credit worthiness of some of our OEM customers,
including the potential that such customers may not make, or may
seek to delay or reduce, payments owed to us; the financial
distress of some of our suppliers and the risk of their insolvency,
bankruptcy or financial restructuring; restructuring and/or
downsizing costs related to the rationalization of some of our
operations; impairment charges; shifts in technology; our ability
to successfully grow our sales to non-traditional customers; a
reduction in the production volumes of certain vehicles, such as
certain light trucks; our dependence on outsourcing by our
customers; risks of conducting business in foreign countries,
including Russia, India and China; our ability to quickly shift our
manufacturing footprint to take advantage of lower cost
manufacturing opportunities; the termination or non-renewal by our
customers of any material contracts; fluctuations in relative
currency values; our ability to successfully identify, complete and
integrate acquisitions; the continued exertion of pricing pressures
by our customers and our ability to offset price concessions
demanded by our customers; the impact of government financial
intervention in the automotive industry; disruptions in the capital
and credit markets; warranty and recall costs; product liability
claims in excess of our insurance coverage; changes in our mix of
earnings between jurisdictions with lower tax rates and those with
higher tax rates, as well as our ability to fully benefit tax
losses; other potential tax exposures; legal claims against us;
work stoppages and labour relations disputes; changes in laws and
governmental regulations; costs associated with compliance with
environmental laws and regulations; potential conflicts of interest
involving our indirect controlling shareholder, the Stronach Trust;
and other factors set out in our Annual Information Form filed with
securities commissions in Canada and our annual report on Form 40-F
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
and subsequent filings. In evaluating forward-looking statements,
readers should specifically consider the various factors which
could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Unless
otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we do not intend,
nor do we undertake any obligation, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent information,
events, results or circumstances or otherwise. DATASOURCE: Magna
International Inc. CONTACT: Vincent J. Galifi, Executive
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer at (905) 726-7100
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