Chrysler hires a former key GM manager

Chrysler hired Philip Murtaugh, the former General Motors Corp. manager who spurred GM's growth in China.

Murtaugh, 53, becomes the fourth industry veteran from outside Chrysler lured in the month since the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automaker's sale to Cerberus Capital Management.

Murtaugh will be chief executive for Asia operations, Chrysler said. Murtaugh was executive vice president of SAIC Motor Corp., China's largest automaker, after leaving GM. He had led negotiations in 1996 with Shanghai Auto to set up GM's China venture.