Fiat is open to forging an alliance with Chrysler even if the company files for bankruptcy protection and goes through a process that sees some of its assets spun off, according to people in the company.

Sergio Marchionne, Fiat chief executive

Chrysler has three days to demonstrate its viability to a US government autos task force, which has prepared contingency plans for a bankruptcy filing if the carmaker fails to secure a debt-cutting deal with its creditors and prove it can become viable by April 30.