Chrysler Corp. has sold its 50 percent ownership stake in Alfa Romeo Distributors
of North America, an Orlando
company that acts as the national distributor for the Italian automaker.The decision was a result
of Alfa Romeo's
sluggish sales
performance in United States, where a recession has weakened consumer confidence.That poor
performance prompted Alfa Romeo to lay off 23 employees Friday from the Orlando distributorship, a
company spokesman said Tuesday.