Fiat closes deal to take Chrysler's good assets

Italy's Fiat is the new owner of the bulk of Chrysler's assets, closing a deal that saves the troubled US automaker from liquidation and places a new company in the hands of Fiat's Chief Executive Officer.

The deal clears the way for a new, leaner Chrysler Group LLC to emerge from bankruptcy protection minus billions in debt, 789 under performing dealerships and burdensome labor costs that nearly sank the storied automaker.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne was immediately named CEO of the new company, which said in a statement that it would soon reopen Chrysler factories that were idled during the bankruptcy process, costing the automaker $100 million per day.

The new company will focus on smaller vehicles.

"Work is already under way on developing new environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles that we intend to become Chrysler's hallmark going forward," the new company said in a statement.

The Italian automaker would not put any money into the deal but will give Chrysler billions worth of small car and engine technology.