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Bill Radke: Cost-cutting is something Chrysler failed to do in time to avoid bankruptcy. Now, the company is a step closer to merging with Italy’s Fiat. Late yesterday, a judge ruled against a group of Chrysler’s creditors who were trying to block the deal. Stephen Beard has more.

Stephen Beard: A bankruptcy judge has ruled that the Chrysler plan is fair. Chrysler and the U.S. government want a quick sale of most of the company’s assets. They want to sell to a new firm partly-owned by Fiat.

A group of Chrysler’s secured creditors oppose the plan, calling it illegal. They claim their interests have been ignored, and that with a bit more time a better deal could be struck. The judge rejected the claim, and in effect, said “let the bidding begin.”

Analyst Professor David Bailey says it looks like a shoo-in for Fiat:

David Bailey: Given the state of the economy and given the state of the car market, generally I find it highly unlikely that anybody would come forward and offer a better deal for Chrysler. And I think basically, it’s Fiat or bust for this company.

The judge has called for all bids to be in by May the 20th. There’ll be a final hearing on the 27th. The deal could be sealed and delivered by the end of June.

In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.