Ex Home Depot Chief Takes Chrysler Wheel

Cerberus relying on tough-talking new CEO to cut costs

(NEWSER) - Former Home Depot chief Bob Nardelli has a reputation for being a brusque, hard-edged maverick, and that’s exactly what his new bosses at Chrysler want, Reuters reports. Cerberus Capital Management hopes to stem losses at the automaker by cutting costs, particularly in the delicate area of unionized workers. Nardelli’s gruff style may improve numbers—or it may wind up confounding labor negotiations. More»

Struggling automaker looks to sell assets to raise cash in a hurry

(NEWSER) - With an auto industry novice as CEO, a product line trailing the rest of the industry, and an inadequate cost-cutting strategy, Chrysler is scrambling to sell assets to climb out of a deep financial hole. Four months after Cerberus Capital Management took the automaker private, the Wall Street Journal finds turnaround plans stalled by a cash crunch. More»

Automaker faces second straight year in the red

(NEWSER) - Chrysler will be screeching toward a second consecutive year in the red, sources told the Wall Street Journal, as the automaker will lose $1.6 billion. CEO Robert Nardelli told designers and engineers this week that while the beleaguered automaker’s revenue was about $63 billion, costs exceeded $64 billion. The newly private company no longer must report earnings publicly. More»

Firm's highest-ranking non-Japanese ever jumps ship

(NEWSER) - Toyota North America's president will become the new co-president and vice chairman of Chrysler, the Detroit Free Press reports. Jim Press, the highest-ranking non-Japanese exec in Toyota's history, brings a reputation as a talented manager to Chrysler, which is in the process of transforming into a private company after being sold by Daimler. More»

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration foisted the Fiat alliance on Chrysler, brushing aside its concerns about Fiat’s financial health and unwillingness to share technology, the Wall Street Journal reports. E-mails filed during Chrysler’s bankruptcy proceedings show Fiat ignoring requests for documents, reluctant to ante up funds, and attempting to change contract terms late in the talks. Chrysler officials worried that they, and the government, might find themselves “in bed with a shady partner.” More»