NEW YORK — Chrysler president and vice chairman Jim Press said Wednesday the government’s May 1 deadline for the automaker to complete a deal with Fiat allows “ample time” to reach a definitive agreement that is key to saving Chrysler from bankruptcy.
“We prefer having a shorter time frame to get through this period, get all the questions out of our minds and get back to business as usual,” Press said during the first day of media previews at the New York International Auto Show.
He surprised reporters at Chrysler’s news conference to unveil a new Jeep Grand Cherokee by arriving on the stage in an iconic Fiat 500 subcompact. The 500, one of the Italian automaker’s most successful models, would help fill the void of small vehicles in Chrysler’s lineup if Chrysler survives and brings Fiat cars to U.S. showrooms by 2011, as planned.
“Don’t you think that this would be a perfect car to get around New York City?” he told reporters.
Shortly after, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee rounded the stage’s corner and ascended a series of steps onto the stage. The vehicle, which will be 11 percent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, will go on sale early next year.
Press said Chrysler has been aggressively moving to reduce costs while still unveiling new vehicles. The company plans to introduce eight new vehicles in the next 18 months.
