BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says he's wants to pay back the loans Chrysler got from the U.S. and Canadian governments this year if he can. Marchionne said Friday he remains committed to that objective. He made the remarks to reporters while at a Chrysler plant in Brampton, Ontario after meeting with employees to celebrate the production launch of the redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger
He says Chrysler is paying more than $1 billion a year in interest to Canadian and U.S. taxpayers.
Fiat took a 20 percent share in Chrysler LLC in 2009, gaining effective control after Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy. Fiat SpA expects to boost its Chrysler stake to 35 percent this year in part by repaying the loans.
