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2009 New York Auto Show - Focus on Relevant Vehicles

NEW YORK April 8, 2009; Dan Strumpf handwriting representing the AP reported thatbattered automakers are unveiling greener, hipper cars at the New YorkInternational Auto Show that they desire desire gratify frightened buyers, whilethe companionship with the most to affirm went the farthest Wednesday to display itstill has a future.

Chrysler LLC President Jim Press surprised reporters at the automaker"snews appointment close by arriving on position in an iconic Fiat 500 subcompact.While the company"s big unveiling was a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, theattention was distinctly on the little automobile Chrysler may carry to the U.S. if itcompletes its slow-down with Italy"s Fiat Group SpA.

"Don"t you believe that this would be a complete automobile to get about New YorkCity?" he asked the crowd.

The bigger query is whether Chrysler desire continue extensive adequate to boil 500 on capital streets. The Auburn Hills, Michigan, companionship is survivingon a $4 billion regulation lifeline with a mandate to reach a definitivedeal with Fiat close by May 1 and come in concessions from its creditors andunions.

"At this dot in period with Fiat, we don"t perceive anything that would be animpasse or a deal breaker," Press told reporters. "We"ve had a constructivedialogue going, a cooperative duologue with all the stakeholders, and we"rehopeful that we"ll be able to accomplish the goals."

Other automakers showed away their cleanest, most forward-lookingvehicles during the show"s first daytime of media previews.

Mercedes-Benz debuted four new vehicles, including a high-performanceversion of its E-Class sedan and two assortment models, and Land Rover unveileda threesome of new models. Toyota Motor Corp."s Scion friendly showcased a conceptbased on the Toyota iQ microcar, and Acura unveiled the ZDX, a recreation sedanthat Honda Motor Co."s opulence friendly said desire move ahead on selling this fall.

Carmakers handle auto shows as important venues to draw recompense attention to fortheir latest models, but this year"s debuts be obsessed had fewer smoke machinesand splashy laser shows than in years past. The display comes during bleaktime representing the industry, with automakers hindmost week reporting a 37 percentdecline in March U.S. sales.

Ford Motor Co. -- the lone U.S. automaker that has not accepted federalloans -- isn"t holding a tidings conference, although its electric-vehicleambitions and new models the Ford Fusion assortment desire be on displaywhen the display opens to the communal Friday.

General Motors Corp. showed away the 2010 GMC Terrain filled crossovervehicle, but Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, nixed plans tospeak with reporters at the display so he could remain in Detroit and centre onthe company"s restructuring.

GM has been surviving on $13.4 billion in regulation loans since thestart of the year, but the Obama managing said hindmost week theautomaker hasn"t gone afar adequate to cut its costs and affirm it can becomeviable. Officials gave the companionship until June 1 to wring more concessionsfrom bondholders, employees and other stakeholders as a conditions representing theadditional aid it is seeking.

On Wednesday, White House sent a side of 15 people to Detroit to workwith GM above the next two weeks to accelerate its restructuring process,according to an managing authorized who spoke on conditions of anonymitybecause the discussions are private. Meanwhile, the Treasury Departmentopened a $5 billion financing program to keep possession of currency flowing to GM"s andChrysler"s auto parts suppliers in a proffer to anticipate a disruption in thesupply base.

Chrysler"s Press, meanwhile, told reporters that the government"s 30-daydeadline should current the companionship "ample time" to reach a deal withFiat.

"We favour having a shorter timeframe to get because of this period, getall the questions exterior of our minds and get risk in to accountability as usual," hesaid.

Although the regulation offered to furnish "working capital" to Chryslerand GM until their disjoin deadlines, Press said Chrysler has notaccepted any additional money. He said the companionship is progressing beneath theassumption that bankruptcy desire not be required.

"Obviously you can"t regulation anything out, but we"re working filled speed, 24hours a daytime to accomplish the uniting and get our viability planapproved."

The companionship is optimistic that it"s on the just track. Chrysler inMarch sold more than 100,000 vehicles in the U.S. representing the first period sincelast fall, and most larger automakers proverb signs in hindmost month"s sales thatthe market-place is composed to improve.

GM and Ford launched stimulation plans hindmost week that would defend carbuyers" payments representing some months if they misplace their jobs, in an effortto get skittish consumers into showrooms again.

Press said in an appointment that Chrysler has no plans to proffer such aprogram. "We"re watching to perceive what happens," he said, adding that thecompany is already immolation important incentives.

AP Auto Writers Bree Fowler and Joseph Altman in New York, andAssociated Press Writer Ken Thomas in Washington contributed to thisreport.