Chrysler’s turnaround story since its takeover by Fiat

During the great financial crisis in the recent past, the Italian car maker Fiat took over the troubled Auburn Hills, Michigan based Chrysler. Chrysler was heavily burden by its bailout by the U.S. government and was under the bankruptcy protection at the time of the acquisition. Fiat currently owns 58.5 percent stake in Chrysler.

Chrysler is expected to sell four million cars and light trucks in 2012. Fiat-Chrysler accounted for 4.1 percent worldwide sales of 76 million vehicles in 2011.

Chrysler is supporting its sister Fiat which has seen slumping sales in Europe due to over capacity and Euro Zone woes. However, Wall Street analysts expect the Fiat to buy the remaining shares of Chrysler in the near future. It has filed papers to raise its stake in Chrysler to 60 percent after July 1, 2012.

Chrysler sells fewer cars and has less international recognition compared to VW, Toyota, GM or even Ford. So there is room for Chrysler to improve international sales in the future. Combined Chrysler and Fiat have 16 new or refurbished models including best sellers like Chrysler 300 SRTS, Jeep Wrangler and Fiat 500. These models are increasing its North American share of the market.