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Chrysler-Fiat Deal May Yield 7 New Vehicles

The leadership teams of Chrysler and Fiat SpA held an informal meeting in Auburn Hills, Mich., over the weekend, Jewel Gopwani reports, and discussed the possibility of introducing seven vehicles to the North American market. Four cars would carry the Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge badges, and three would be Fiats or Alfa Romeos, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The vehicles would be based on four Fiat platforms, ranging from the smallest -- the so-called A or microcar platform -- to the midsize D-segment. Spokespeople for Fiat and Chrysler said any reports are speculation. Fiat's small-vehicle platforms could help Chrysler compete in the small-car segment, in which Fiat specializes, and in the midsize segment, where Chrysler has struggled to compete against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

In a memo to employees Monday, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli said the "alliance is very promising," but noted that Chrysler must work harder to cut costs and provide the federal government with a plan to ensure Chrysler's long-term viability. "We're stepping up this process," he said.

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