Chrysler on Track for Operations Review

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group remains on target with a review of its operations, including management and strategy, and plans to outline a restructuring by the end of the first quarter, a spokesman said Friday.

    All options likely remain on the table for a recovery plan, spokesman Mike Aberlich said. DaimlerChrysler announced the review in October after a $1.5 billion operating loss at Chrysler dragged down the automaker's third-quarter profit by 37 percent.

    Seven teams have been working to analyze and examine the division's business practices, Aberlich said.

    Chrysler officials have said the teams were to review product strategy, portfolio management, capital management, fixed cost management, structural changes, manufacturing, material costs, revenue management and quality.

    Chrysler, like its U.S. rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., has suffered as high oil prices lead buyers to shift toward smaller cars, away from sport utility vehicles and other models that use more fuel. As a result, Chrysler's inventories rose this year.

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