Chrysler Seeks to Ease Bottlenecks in Jeep Output

Chrysler Group LLC lost sales of 60,000 to 70,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler SUVs last year because of component shortages that reduced production, Automotive News reports.

CEO Sergio Marchionne tells the newspaper that Chrysler is pressuring suppliers to the two strong-selling models to hike parts capacity. The automaker also is investing in "de-bottlenecking," he says.

Boosting Jeep output is part of Marchionne's plan to increase Chrysler's global sales to at least 2.6 million vehicles this year from 2.4 million in 2012.