Although the U.S. auto industry could hit a 15 year low in 2008, Chrysler will meet its goals for ’08, a new report finds. While the U.S.’ third-largest automaker won’t turn a profit in 2008, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli says that he expects Chrysler to achieve the goals laid out by parent its company, Cerberus Capital Management.
“Through the first quarter we are still on plan relative to the pro forma and the targets we established for 2008, in spite of some of the economic winds that are hitting us,” Nardelli told Automotive News at an event near Detroit.
At the same event, Nardelli refuted an early report that claimed Chrysler was in talks with Fiat to produce Alfa Romeo vehicles in the U.S.
But while Chrysler won’t be teaming with Fiat, Nardelli is excited about Chrysler’s new partnership with Nissan. Under the recently inked deal, Nissan will be producing a new small vehicle for Chrysler — which is slated to hit the market in 2010 — and Chrysler will build a new full-size pickup for Nissan, due out in 2011. “What I really am pleased with is the quid pro quo, the ability to purchase and sell and try to balance manufacturing capacity engineering technology between our two companies,” Nardelli said. “Our ability to meet the emerging market demand as quickly as we can would suggest we should look at partnerships, alliances … and that’s what we did.”
