Chrysler CEO: Future Is in Our Hands

Associated Press |03.22.07, 12:31 PM ET - - Chrysler Group Chief Executive Tom LaSorda told employees in an e-mail this week that the company's "future is in our own hands," and urged them to redouble efforts to improve the automaker's fortunes as speculation swirls about its future.

LaSorda, in the Tuesday e-mail, did not disclose any developments on the fate of DaimlerChrysler AG (nyse: DCX - news - people )'s U.S.-based unit, which has had talks with private equity groups about a potential sale.

"To a great extent, the future is in our own hands. We need to rededicate ourselves to taking waste out of our business while providing great vehicles and an ownership experience that will attract customers and keep them coming back," LaSorda said in the e-mail, which was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. The Detroit News reported about the e-mail in its Thursday editions.

LaSorda acknowledged the Auburn Hills-based company was in a "period of uncertainty," but asked workers to help Chrysler steer through a turnaround plan announced last month that would eliminate 13,000 jobs in the U.S. and Canada - about 16 percent of its work force - and shutter a plant in Delaware. The division lost $1.475 billion in 2006 and said it expects losses to continue through 2007.

"Whatever our future situation will be, we need to succeed as a team with our recovery and transformation plan. Our long-term viability depends on it," he wrote. "Everyone wants to be associated with a winner, and we need to prove again that we are winners."

The Chrysler executive also detailed his testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week about climate change and the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program. He said the company expects the Bush administration to increase fuel economy standards for passenger cars, "an action that we fully support."

"However, new laws proposed in Congress that would mandate unrealistic, arbitrary increases in CAFE could hinder our progress and put our business at risk," LaSorda said.

LaSorda said members of Congress would be visiting Chrysler plants to discuss efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum consumption and "during the months ahead we will be asking you to partner with us in communicating with members of Congress on this critical issue."