It was obvious that Chrysler would be first into bankruptcy at the Detroit auto show last January.
The best ideas it put on the floor were restyled 1970s muscle cars. And then Chrysler vice-chairman Jim Press said some of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard an executive say on a stage.
“The government loan was just in time,” he joked. “It’s kinda like if you were in college and you were kinda low on money, and your parents put all that money into the bank account.
“The government checks go right to (Chief Financial Officer) Ron Kolka,” Press said. “So if anyone needs a loan, see Ron Kolka.”
Click here to read my column from the show. It’s amazing Chrysler stayed out of bankruptcy as long as it did.
(PHOTO: By Al Lewis, Jan. 2009)
