[dklipfel]

I've worked for several privately owned coompanies during my career. In general they are superior places to work. No worries about short term profits, not answerable to stockholders desire for dividends, do things that are good for the long term health of the company, willing to invest in future projects, etc. As a result, the people working there are generally pretty happy with their employer.

That said - I am not so sure I would trust the current owners of Chrysler for any extended period of time. It is not like the current owners were formed around a group of visionaries who were driven by a love of automobiles. Ain't no Bob Lutz in the group. IMHO these guys will grab the low-hanging fruit, cut the low performers, not improve them. They will streamline operations to reduce manufacturing costs. This will take perhaps five years. By then profits should be substantial on whatever product line they have left. They will then go public, or otherwise sell off the whole she-bang for a healthy profit. It's a big game they play on wall street. So don't get too attached to any current products.