Chrysler Says It Will Weather 2009

Nardelli said that even though Chrysler's plants have been idled in January, the automaker is hard at work restructuring and readying new products to stay viable. He conceded the company has cut capital spending but said he didn't think it would affect the long-term product development plan.

Nardelli also said there are no current merger discussions with General Motors Corp.(GM Quote)

Chrysler and GM discussed a possible merger late last year before GM backed away to focus on its own cash issues.

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Associated Press writer Ken Thomas contributed to this report.