• The New York Times, Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:46 AM

Chrysler unveiled the new Chrysler 300 sedan at the North American International Auto Show on Monday with the message the Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker is back in the saddle after (yet another) near death experience.

The automaker, which is proving to have at least as many lives as a cat, has rolled out several successful vehicles since Fiat took controlling interest (the company increased its stake by five percentage points to 25% on Monday), and Sergio Marchionne took the CEO spot.

The company, which saw sales increase 16% last year, has made inroads by serving up revitalized Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango nameplates. Sales of the former SUV were up over 60% last year. The company's 300 sedan bucks the trend at this year's auto show, where most automakers seem to be focused on sub-compacts, compacts and electric/hybrids. The new 300, like its predecessor, is a full-sized car meant to evince the Chrysler division's "affordable luxury" position.

"I haven't gotten any questions yet today like, 'Will you be here next year?'" said Marchionne at the show. "There were some severe doubts that we could execute what we promised."

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