Chrysler still looking at other partnerships

Chrysler President Jim Press told reporters the company is still talking to other potential partners in case the federal government nixes the proposed tie-up with Fiat.

“If it doesn’t work out with Fiat, we still have had other conversations with other potential partners and alliances and those obviously can continue, so we have other alternatives,” Press said. Refusing to identify the other parties, he added, “It’s a little bit like dating: nobody knows who we’re dating. We don’t need the paparazzi to follow us around and put pressure on the dates.”

At the same time, Press defended the alliance, which will give Fiat a 35 percent stake in the Auburn Hills automaker, pointing out that Fiat will be giving Chrysler “billions and billions and billions of dollars” worth technology and hardware and, as he put it, “preserving American jobs: a lot of American jobs,”

Chrysler needs the approval of the U.S. Treasury under the terms of the $4 billion loan it received this month. The automaker is also looking for the additional $3 billion that was part of its original request. The additional money will be crucial in allowing the alliance to be completed.

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