Chrysler CEO tells workers of wider loss
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Bob Nardelli
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By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY
DETROIT — Chrysler will lose about $1.6 billion this year, worse than the $1.4 billion operating loss it posted for 2006, a source says CEO Bob Nardelli told a group of designers and engineers recently.

The source, who spoke to USA TODAY on condition of anonymity because Chrysler is a private company that doesn't report earnings, said the automaker still plans to break even in 2008.

Detroit rivals General Motors (GM) and Ford Motor (F) have said it will take them until 2009 to stop losing money.

A Chrysler spokesman declined comment.

Nardelli, former CEO of Home Depot, was hired in August just as Cerberus Capital Management took over the ailing automaker. Cerberus bought 80.1% of Chrysler from its former owner, German car company Daimler, which retained 19.9%.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Detroit | CEO | General Motors | SUV | Dodge | Ford Motor | Dodge Magnum | Cerberus Capital Management | Dodge Challenger | Chrysler PT Cruiser | CEO Bob Nardelli

Separately, Nardelli told employees during a webcast last week that although he believes the automaker has cut as many workers as it needs to, Chrysler will continue slashing jobs if it cannot meet its goals. The company said previously it would cut 25,000 jobs, including 1,000 buyouts. Chrysler announced 12,000 of those in November, just after employees represented by the UAW ratified a new four-year contract.

Chrysler already has said it will eliminate four products through 2008: Dodge Magnum wagon, convertible version of Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Pacifica crossover SUV and Chrysler Crossfire sports car. Chrysler plans to add two new products: Dodge Journey crossover SUV and Dodge Challenger sports car, along with gasoline-electric hybrid versions of its Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs.

Chrysler became a private company this year when Cerberus bought its stake, the first time an American automaker has been privately held since Ford Motor went public in the 1950s.

Contributing: The Associated Press

ORIGINAL: RoswellGrey

This is why it may be wise to wait well into the 2009 calendar year or even 2010 before buying a Challenger. With what's basically an investment group owning Chrysler, there's no telling how much in losses it's willing to take before taking some extreme action, like breaking up the company and selling off the pieces. I'd really hate to get stuck with a $30,000+ car that has no company -- or parts supply -- behind it.