AUTOS

Chrysler Corp. Nears Loan Extension Pact: The nation’s No. 3 auto maker said it needs the agreement of just two more banks to extend $6.8 billion in loans for its financing subsidiary. Negotiations on an extension have dragged on because some of the 152 banks in the company’s lending syndicate balked. The two holdout banks’ part of the loan refinancing package amounts to less than $60 million, Chrysler spokesman Steve Harris said. The deal is contingent upon the agreement of all the banks. Chrysler, which is releasing new cars and trucks at a steady pace and has more in the pipeline, needs the credit line to support its dealers, finance car purchases and keep new vehicle development plans on schedule.