New cars debut, minus some glitz

Chrysler LLC president Jim Press surprised reporters at the automaker's news conference by arriving on stage in an iconic Fiat 500 subcompact. While the company's big unveiling was a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the attention was clearly on the small car, which Chrysler may bring to the United States if it completes its tie-up with Italy's Fiat Group SpA.

"Don't you think that this would be a perfect car to get around New York City?" he asked.

The bigger question is whether Chrysler will survive long enough to see the Fiat 500 on city streets. It's surviving on a $4 billion government lifeline with a mandate to reach a definitive deal with Fiat by May 1 and win concessions from its creditors and unions.

"At this point in time with Fiat, we don't see anything that would be an impasse or a deal breaker," Press said. "We've had a constructive dialogue going, a cooperative dialogue with all the stakeholders, and we're hopeful that we'll be able to achieve the goals."

Other automakers showed off their cleanest, most forward-looking vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz debuted four vehicles, including a high-performance version of its E-Class sedan and two hybrid models, while Land Rover unveiled a trio of new models. Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion brand showcased a concept based on its iQ microcar, and Acura unveiled the ZDX, a sport sedan that Honda Motor Co.'s luxury brand said will go on sale this fall.

Carmakers use auto shows to attract attention for their latest models, but this year's debuts had fewer smoke machines and splashy laser shows than in years past. The show comes during a bleak time, with automakers last week reporting a 37 percent decline in March in US sales.

Ford Motor Co., the only US automaker that has not accepted federal loans, isn't holding a news conference, but its electric-vehicle ambitions and new models like the Ford Fusion hybrid will be on display when the show opens to the public tomorrow.

General Motors Corp. showed off the 2010 GMC Terrain compact crossover vehicle, but Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, nixed plans to speak with reporters so he could stay in Detroit to focus on restructuring.

GM has been surviving on $13.4 billion in government loans since the start of the year, but the Obama administration said last week the automaker hasn't gone far enough to slash its costs and prove it can become viable. Officials gave the company until June 1 to wring more concessions from bondholders, employees, and others.