By Tom Hals
Feb 7 (Reuters) - Unsecured creditors of A123 Systems Inc, a
bankrupt maker of batteries for electric cars that had U.S.
government backing, will likely collect around 65 cents for each
dollar they are owed, according to court documents.
The money largely comes from the sale of most of the
company's assets to a unit of China's largest auto parts firm,
Wanxiang Group. The acquisition closed last month.
The $260 million sale sparked outrage among some members of
Congress, who warned it was a transfer of sensitive technology
developed with U.S. taxpayer money. However, the deal had the
support of A123's committee of unsecured creditors and was
approved by a U.S. government panel that oversees foreign
investment.
Wanxiang beat out the only other active bidder, Johnson
Controls Inc of Milwaukee, in a court-supervised auction for the
assets of A123, which is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.
A123 said in its disclosure statement, which describes its
plan for paying off debts, that holders of unsecured claims will
receive about 65 percent of what they are owed.
Those unsecured creditors include holders of the company's
$143.8 million of outstanding convertible subordinated notes and
suppliers. A123 said it had about $17.5 million in trade debt
when it filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 16 in the U.S. Bankruptcy
Court in Delaware, where the company is incorporated.
Secured creditors will be paid in full while its stock will
be canceled and shareholders will receive nothing.
Once the disclosure statement is approved by the bankruptcy
court, the plan will be sent to creditors for their approval.
The company had received a $249 million grant from the U.S.
government as part of a clean energy program to build
manufacturing facilities in Michigan. About half the money was
never released.
The company filed for bankruptcy due to weaker-than-expected
demand for hybrid vehicles and technical problems. A123 makes
lithium-ion batteries for Fisker Automotive, BMW hybrid 3- and
5-Series cars, and General Motors Co's all-electric Chevrolet
Spark, which is scheduled for release later this year.
The case is A123 Systems Inc, U.S. Bankruptcy Court,
District of Delaware, No. 12-12859.
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