Chrysler insists on its viability and its intention to repay loans

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The automaker Chrysler has insisted Sunday in Detroit (Michigan, North) on its viability, despite the crisis it is experiencing, and its ability to repay the loan of four billion dollars that has conceded the U.S. administration.

"This is a loan ... and we fully intend to return," said CEO Bob Nardelli to journalists shortly before the opening of the Detroit auto show.

These funds, and three billion dollars expected in the coming months, were granted by the U.S. Treasury "on the basis of data and not emotions," said Mr Nardelli.

Skip the year will be "a real challenge," he acknowledged, with prospects for sales of cars in the United States from 10.5 to 11.1 million in 2009, against 13.5 million in 2008 and an average 16.5 million in previous years.

Chrysler has about 10% of the U.S. market, which should translate into 600,000 cars sold in less and a fall in revenues between 16 and 17 billion dollars, he added.

The company continues to invest and 24 new models will be presented in the next four years. "We are committed to innovation, quality and reliability of our products," said Nardelli.

He denied rumors of sale of the company by the Cerberus Group and confirmed that contacts with other automakers to discuss strategic alliances or potential mergers had occurred but that nothing concrete had emerged.

He also regretted failing to find synergies with the other two "major" in Detroit, General Motors and Ford. "It's amazing that three manufacturers in a single city can not do that two different companies in both countries have done," he said, referring to the Franco-Japanese alliance Renault-Nissan.