戴姆勒-克莱斯勒准备卖掉克莱斯勒

The German automaker DaimlerChrysler made over $7 billion last year, but the American Chrysler division that they acquired in 1998 lost nearly $1.5 billion and has announced plant closings and a cut of 13,000 US jobs. Now, there is talk of Chrysler splitting off from the German company, either to be acquired by another auto¹ company or to become an independent operation. While some Indian and Chinese auto makers² would like an opportunity to expand in the American market, a report in the Detroit trade paper the Automotive News said that American company General Motors is in talks with DaimlerChrysler to purchase the division. Neither company would confirm the report. European companies Volkswagen, Renault, and Fiat³ have also been named as potential buyers.

1 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

2 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 fiat   

n.命令，法令，批准；vt.批准，颁布

参考例句：

• The opening of a market stall is governed by municipal fiat.开设市场摊位受市政法令管制。
• He has tried to impose solutions to the country's problems by fiat.他试图下令强行解决该国的问题。