In January, Chrysler's mini-van sales more than doubled from a year earlier, setting a sales record for the month at the No. 3 auto maker.

With many noteworthy changes at the beleaguered auto maker, Mr. Smith has given some executives reason for hope.

As did the Ford officials, he emphasized that he was happy to have averted a crippling strike at the No. 2 auto maker.

Q. At the auto parts maker Delphi, which is in bankruptcy, wasn't top management criticized as trying to get extra compensation?

Sources at the auto maker said some personnel from Diamond-Star may be transferred to help begin the new Chrysler-Renault venture.

But an executive at Ford, who asked not to be named, dismissed the notion of dissension at the auto maker.

Labor Peace Whatever else it does, Ford's campaign highlights a much-improved atmosphere between labor and management at the No. 2 auto maker.

Mr. Gettelfinger has managed to protect wages and benefits at the auto parts maker Delphi, which had demanded deep cuts under bankruptcy protection.

In essence, he was asking the macho engineers and finance types who held sway at the auto maker to start marketing cars the way other companies peddled cookies.

Afterward, negotiations will begin at G.M., the largest auto maker and perhaps the most needful of cost savings among the Big Three.