Chrysler CEO seeks deals to boost sales abroad

Reuters / February 16, 2007 - 9:26 amNEW YORK (Reuters) -- Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda said he wants to use new alliances to more than double sales outside North America, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

The unit's previous goal, of doubling Chrysler sales outside North America from the current level of about 200,000 vehicles, was "not acceptable" and should be ratcheted up, the paper said, quoting from an interview with LaSorda.

Alliances with other automakers could cut the costs of that expansion, the paper said, citing LaSorda.

Chrysler is exploring partnerships to jointly develop vehicles, powertrains, axles and other aspects of auto making, the paper said.

One possible alliance is with U.S. rival General Motors, the paper said, citing people familiar with the matter. An agreement is far from certain, the paper said, and added that the sources discounted the potential that a possible GM-Chrysler alliance based on specific vehicles would develop into something deeper.

Officials for Chrysler and GM could not immediately be reached.