Autoblog

Last month, a major announcement was made regarding an effort between Nissan and Chrysler to share products. Specifically, Nissan will build a small car for Chrysler and receive a large truck in return. It seems as if the Pentastar brand could use some more help when it comes to offering the types of vehicles that the public wants as quickly as possible. To that end, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli says, "If we can have similar arrangements ... and it makes financial sense and supports our dealer network relative to what customers are telling them they want, we're going to go do it." What customers want is fuel efficient vehicles, something which Chrysler is not exactly well positioned with at the moment.

In related news, Nardelli also mentions that Chrysler sees hybrids and electric cars as the most viable options moving forward to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The first hybrid vehicles from Chrysler are expected to be the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUV's, which use a version of the dual mode hybrid system that is currently offered by GM on the Tahoe and Yukon.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Despite the fact that the beleaguered automaker has not yet turned a profit since its unceremonious departure from Daimler to Cerberus, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli says that the company is still on track. "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," he says. In order to turn last year's $1.6 billion loss into positive cash flow, Chrysler will be relying heavily on joint-partnerships like the one it just announced with Nissan (but probably not Fiat) as well as with new and advanced engineering. Nardelli highlights interiors, upcoming technology integration and alternative powertrains as potential new incoming-generating features for their line of vehicles.

[Sources: Automotive News / The Detroit News]