Though sales remain under pressure, new incentives, better credit terms and a shift to light trucks caused by low gas prices should give Chrysler a larger piece of the U.S. light vehicle market for January. That's the word, according to Chrysler Vice-Chairman Jim Press.

In a meeting with reporters, Press said, "We're starting to gain some traction with our products."

In other comments, Press said Chrysler could survive even if 2009 U.S. light vehicle sales are in the 10 million-unit range, in line with the projections of numerous analysts who see the U.S. economy remaining weak through most of the year. He said the company will need the remaining $3 billion in federal loans that were part of Chrysler's original request for $7 billion and he is hopeful the government will accept the automaker's plan for achieving long-term viability when it is presented on February 17.