DETROIT — Chrysler is stanching its losses, seeing increased demand for its cars and trucks and preparing for a major product rollout 14 months after emerging from bankruptcy protection.
But the automaker is far from healthy, and its chief executive says Chrysler has more tough work ahead as it tries to make a profit and pay off government loans.
Chrysler Group LLC narrowed its second-quarter loss to $172 million, a $25 million improvement from the first quarter, it said Monday. Revenues climbed 8.2 percent to $10.5 billion. U.S. market share is rising. The company, which was in Chapter 11 for most of the second quarter last year, has made steady progress since being taken over by Italian automaker Fiat SpA in June 2009.
But there’s a catch. Many of its sales — Chrysler won’t say how many — were to rental- car, government and corporate fleets, which are less profitable than sales to individual buyers.
Chrysler has struggled getting individual buyers into its showrooms because of an aging lineup.
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said that will change when 11 new or revamped cars come to market between now and the end of the year. Among them are new versions of the Chrysler 300 and Sebring sedans, revamped minivans and a new Dodge crossover. Chrys ler also hopes to lure buyers with the U.S. debut of the Fiat 500, a spunky European mini-car.
