Chrysler has repaid government loans totalling 6.7 billion plus 1.8 billion in interest and fees, closing a crisis-filled chapter in the automaker's long, storied history.

The automaker borrowed $5.1 billion from the U.S. Treasury and $1.6 billion from the Canadian government in June 2009, as it teetered on the brink. Upon receiving federal aid and forming a strategic alliance with Fiat, Chrysler Group has rebounded with vigor. In a short period, the reborn automaker freshened much of its Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep model line, as it attempts to hold on to the market until it can design truly next-generation vehicles with its benefactor and ally Fiat.

We are in the process now of testing several of those cars and will continue to share our findings in the blog leading up to the completed road tests.

Chrysler Group LLC Completes Refinancing and Repays U.S. and Canadian Government Loans in Full [Chrysler]
Chrysler repays government loans [Detroit News]
Is Chrysler the new comeback kid? [Consumer Reports]
2011 Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, and Jeep vehicles are updated and show promise [Consumer Reports]