Chrysler 2008 Annual Report Download - page 8

Letter from the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer 7
None of these choices has been by chance.
Each and every decision – in terms of geographic expansion,
technological development and repositioning of the product
range – has been taken with our eyes firmly on the future.
Even now, with the uncertain economic landscape to be
navigated, we are convinced that it is essential that we look
beyond the typical responses to crises.
We are certain that most sectors where we have a presence
will be forced to change and, almost inevitably, go through a
period of consolidation.
In these uncertain times, there is one thing we can guarantee
you our Shareholders: Fiat is ready.
We are ready to face change because change is part of who we
are.
For some time, we have embraced the challenge of the new
without, unlike many others, having to wait for a crisis to
impose a culture of change upon us.
Through the hard work done to date, we have developed a
natural instinct for handling the unpredictable and learned to
think with extreme flexibility and react with great rapidity.
We are ready to find ever more efficient methods of reducing
the risks associated with doing business.
We are ready to be the first movers in restoring order to a
disoriented market and ensure that, in the restructuring
process which the car industry will undoubtedly undergo, Fiat
is one of the major players.
Our principal objective is to preserve our brands, businesses
and management culture.
We are ready because we have a team of competent,
courageous and determined leaders capable of demonstrating
their worth once again as they manage this next phase, with
the support of the committed, intelligent and passionate men
and women who are part of the Fiat Group. They are our most
important resource.
We have emerged from a turnaround which has given new life
to a major industrial group.
We are determined to ensure that the Group’s true value is
recognised, not only because it has achieved credibility in the
market, but also because it has earned the right.
The Fiat of today has the strength, ability and determination to
confront the challenges ahead and to build something new and
lasting.
13 February 2009
/s/ LUCA CORDERO DI MONTEZEMOLO
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo
Chairman
/s/ SERGIO MARCHIONNE
Sergio Marchionne
Chief Executive Officer