Sergio Marchionne poses in front of a Fiat logo at a press event. (Photo: Chrysler)

DETROIT Italian automaker Fiat SpA announced that it reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares of Chrysler for $3.65 billion in payments to a unio-controlled trust fund.

Fiat already owns 58.5 per cent of Chryslers shares, with the remaining 41.5 per cent held by a United Auto Workers unio trust fund that pays health care bills for retirees.

Under the deal announced Wednesday, Fiat will make an initial payment of $1.9 billion to the fund, plus an additional $1.75 billion upon closing the deal.

Chrysler will also make additional payments totalling $700 million to the fund as part of an agreement with the UAW. The deal is expected to close on or before Jan. 20, according to a statement from Chrysler.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of both Fiat and Chrysler, has long sought to acquire the unios shares in order to combine the two companies.

The unified ownership structure will now allow us to fully execute our vision of creating a global automaker that is truly unique in terms of mix of experience, perspective and know-how, a solid and open organization, Marchionne said in a statement issued by Turin, Italy-based Fiat.

The deal eliminates the need for an initial public offering of the unio funds stake, which analysts had previously valued at $5.6 billion.

Fiat went to court last year seeking a judgment on the price, but the trial date was set for next September.

Marchionne cant spend Chryslers cash on Fiats operations unless the companies merge. In recent months he made it clear that he preferred to settle the dispute without an IPO, but filed the paperwork for the offering in September at the trusts request.

Chryslers profits have helped prop up Fiat on the balance sheet as the Italian automaker struggles in a down European market.

The Auburn Hills, Michigan, automaker earned $464 million in the third quarter on U.S. sales of the Ram pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee, its ninth-straight profitable quarter. The results boosted Fiat, which earned $260 million in the quarter. Without Chryslers contribution, Fiat would have lost $340 million.

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