Chrysler May Not Break Even in 2002

Chrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said he can’t promise that the DaimlerChrysler unit will break even next year as sales lag in a U.S. economic recession.

“I’m not committing to break even at that point of time--but that’s our goal,” Zetsche said, indicating the No.3 U.S. auto maker might lose money again next year.

Chrysler’s U.S. sales dropped 11% this year through November, six times the industrywide decline. Market share fell to 13.2% from 14.6%.

The company’s U.S. shares fell 76 cents to close at $40.36 on the NYSE.