New York Auto Show: Chrysler's Press Plays Up Fiat Alliance Benefits

New York Auto Show: Chrysler's Press Plays Up Fiat Alliance Benefits

By Michelle Krebs

With the tiny Fiat 500 as his prop, Chrysler President Jim Press used the stage of the New York auto show to play up the benefits of a proposed alliance with Italy's Fiat.

"Imagine the possibilities this marriage could have," said Press. "This car is roughly the same size as [Chrysler's] Hemi engine," Press quipped of the 500. "It's the perfect car to get around New York City." 

As proposed, the alliance would provide Fiat's vehicles, like the 500 and fuel-efficient technologies for Chrysler models.

Press said Chrysler was pleased President Obama gave his blessing to the proposed Chrysler-Fiat alliance. In fact, in his announcement last week, President Obama gave the two automakers until the end of April to put the finishing touches on a definitive agreement; the two currently have only the framework of an agreement.

"It would be a great marriage," insisted Press. "There's no overlap in distribution and in product."

Press also boasted that Chrysler has electric vehicles coming that will use advanced lithium-ion batteries from Massachusetts-based A123Systems. Chrysler announced it had selected A123Systems on Monday.

In an obvious dig at General Motors, which awarded South Korean automaker LG Chem the battery contract for its upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Press said Chrysler is the "quintessential American company" and will use "all-American batteries." A123Systems, with financial help from state taxpayers, is building a plant to make the batteries it will supply to Chrysler in Michigan.

Press acknowledged the automaker is showing the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee far in advance of its launch because, he said, Chrysler is so excited about the vehicle. More likely, Chrysler wants to let American consumers and taxpayers, who are footing the bill to keep Chrysler afloat at the moment, know the automaker has a future and prospective buyers or investors in the company that it has product in the pipeline.

To that end, Chrysler also gave a sneak peek in a photo of the interior of the upcoming Chrysler 300 replacement.

Photo by Edmunds' Ed Hellwig

Chrysler President Jim Press, standing next to the Fiat 500, boasts the virtues of a Chrysler-Fiat marriage at the New York auto show.

Fiat 500 

Michelle Krebs:  is Editor-in-Chief of AutoObserver.com. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.