American Suzuki Motor Corporation
The firm represented American Suzuki Motor Corporation ("ASMC") in its chapter 11 case in the Central District of California (Santa Ana Division). ASMC was the sole distributor in the continental United States of Suzuki automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and outboard engines. On the first day of the case, the firm filed a chapter 11 plan and a sale motion that were designed to terminate ASMC’s automobile division and continue and sell the operation of the other three divisions to a company formed by Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. In connection with the Plan, the ASMC rejected over 200 agreements with ASMC’s independent automobile dealers and the firm negotiated claim settlements with all of the dealers. Notably, 97% of the claim settlements were completed within 30 days after the commencement of the case. The firm obtained the necessary support of creditors and confirmed a chapter 11 liquidating plan less than four months after the petition date. The sale through the plan preserved the hundreds of ASMC motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, and marine dealers while at the same time ensuring 100% payment to unsecured creditors.
