"This is not a big deal," he said on a conference call with automotive analysts and reporters.

One automotive analyst said demand for cars and light trucks remained "very depressed."

Most automotive analysts could not be reached following G.M.'s all-day briefing.

With that, automotive analysts said, the takeover is assured.

The larger loss was not surprising to many automotive analysts, who had expected such a downward revision.

Economists and automotive analysts watch the figures closely for hints of the industry's performance and consumer buying.

But automotive analysts and critics say that Chrysler has seemed to learn its lesson from the Imperial.

Neil King, an automotive analyst at Euromonitor, said the figures showed the weakest performance since 1994.

But some automotive analysts said that Mr. Lopez's influence would not necessarily vanish if he left.

"The plan is roughly what the doctor ordered," said Jay Woodworth, an independent automotive analyst.