Chrysler is planning to file documents for its initial public offering this week after majority owner Fiat and the healthcare trust that owns the rest of the US carmaker failed to agree a market price in a long-running dispute.
The listing, which could take place this year, is an unwelcome last resort for Sergio Marchionne, chief executive, and his plans to merge the two carmakers allowing them to compete better against industry leaders Toyota, Volkswagen and General Motors.
“All the work, all the preparation, drafts has gone through . . . we should be ready to file [IPO documents] within the third week of this month,” Mr Marchionne, CEO of both Fiat and Chrysler, told the Financial Times in an interview.