Chrysler's LaSorda revs up workers, says dealers are ordering again

Chrysler today released an audio excerpt of CEO Tom LaSorda's Monday town hall meeting with workers at the company's Auburn Hills headquarters.

Employees applauded as LaSorda exclaimed "It's Chrysler Corp. again, back in American hands again!" referring to last week's $7.4 billion sale of the automaker to New York-based Cerberus Capital Management LLP.

The CEO went on to say "The dealerships -- they're ordering again, which is kind of nice. Their inventory levels from this time last year are down by about 110,000 units.

"We're a little happier, and we're going to keep it there and keep rolling."

LaSorda reiterated that Cerberus has no plans to split up Chrysler or its brands and that the automaker will take advantage of the research, resources and technology of former parent Daimler AG, which retains a 19.9 percent stake in Chrysler.

The recovery plan announced in February still is Chrysler's "road map," LaSorda said. He reminded workers that he's a fourth-generation company employee and said he planned to make Chrysler "strong for the next generation."