Three months after saying he was gloomy about the auto industry's future because of the unprecedented changes happening at that time, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne is a bit more optimistic.
"The recovery process has started. The worst of the global financial crisis is over, but the consequences remain," Marchionne said. "After the storm is over, you can start cleaning up."

He predicts the U.S. economy will begin to grow again in the second half, while Europe's rebound will take a little longer to get started.

"Europe will be slower, the first signs will start to appear at the very end of this year," Marchionne said Tuesday in Geneva. "In Europe, I am worried about national protectionism, particularly on the industry side, which slows the recovery process."

Marchionne made the comments to reporters on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of SGS Group, a Swiss-based inspection and certification company he chairs.

Marchionne is basing his prediction for the U.S. on what he has seen and heard during high-level meetings he has attended in Washington.

"I had the chance to talk twice with the U.S. President's automotive task force at the Treasury Department and I saw a strong determination to find feasible solutions," Marchionne said.

The Fiat CEO expects Asia to start to rebound after the United States.