by Bill Vlasic

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Thursday reported a big gain in second-quarter profits and assured investors that its recent record-setting penalty for safety violations would not slow its earnings momentum. The Italian-American automaker said that its net income climbed 69 percent in the quarter to 333 million euros — about $363 million — compared with the period a year ago.

The company's chief executive, Sergio Marchionne, attributed the gains to healthier profit margins in the North American market and surging sales of Jeep sport utility vehicles. Mr. Marchionne told analysts that he did not expect any long-term financial impact from the company's consent order on safety violations reached with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/