The Nardelli factor: the ink on the divorce papers was barely dry when Cerberus Capital Management installed a new CEO at Chrysler.(Insider)

The arrival of Bob Nardelli as chairman and CEO of "the new" Chrysler sent shockwaves through Detroit. The hard-charging executive known as "Little Jack," a nickname given for his diehard loyalty to former boss and GE chairman Jack Welch, has what some would say is an overly aggressive work ethic (it's not uncommon for Nardelli to be at the office into the wee hours and often on weekends). That workaholic attitude--along with a staunch belief that everything has to be measured and tracked, no matter what--has not resulted in a stellar track record.

The biggest criticism of Nardelli results from the exorbitant $210-million golden-parachute he received after begin …