Frontrunning Chrysler bidders emerging - source

By Megan Davies

NEW YORK, March 13 (Reuters) - A handful of firms have emerged as frontrunners to bid for Chrysler, the struggling U.S. unit of German automaker DaimlerChrysler AG .

Two separate private equity groups -- The Blackstone Group with Centerbridge Partners, and Cerberus Capital Management -- are in strong pursuit of the unit, a source familiar with the situation said.