If you’re ever looking for an example of the term “understatement,” here’s a first-rate example from Sergio Marchionne, chairman and CEO of Chrysler Group, speaking in relation to the third-quarter financial results for the company: “We’ve changed the conversation at Chrysler Group.”

Whereas the conversation had been, in some cases, of a weak sister getting her wind back, now it is about an organization that is increasingly robust:

Net revenue for the quarter: $15.5-billion, “primarily driven by a 19 percent period-over-period increase in shipments.”

That means that more people are buying Chrysler products.

As in worldwide vehicle shipments were 559,000 in the quarter, up 19% from the same period a year ago.

As in worldwide vehicle sales for the third quarter of 556,000, up 12% from Q3 in 2011.

And for the first nine months of 2012, the net revenue was $48.6-billion, a 22% increase compared with the same period last year.

Presumably, they’re not done.

Yes, the conversation has been changed with a whole raft of increasingly compelling products, ranging from the new Dodge Dart to the significantly improved Ram 1500 pickup.

If this cadence is continued, Chrysler will have a whole lot more to talk about.

Meanwhile, back in Italy at Fiat. . .well, that story is not so compelling.