RPT-UPDATE 2-Chrysler says near $30 bln refinancing deal

(Adds Chrysler executive comments, background)

By Soyoung Kim

DETROIT, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Chrysler LLC said on Friday its finance arm had successfully negotiated the framework for a refinancing of $30 billion in working capital as the automaker posted operating cash flow that put it "well ahead of plan."

The company, which has released limited financial data since Cerberus Capital Management bought it from Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE) a year ago, said it ended June with $11.7 billion in cash and had earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $1.1 billion in the first half of the year.

Chief Financial Officer Ron Kolka disclosed the two cash-based financial measures in a surprise statement after the automaker reported a 29 percent sales drop in July sales.

Chrysler said it considered its performance to be strong, given the pressure on the industry.

"False speculation is rumbling around about our company and instead of letting other people define us...(we) decided to release some data," vice chairman and sales chief Jim Press told reporters. "And as you could see, it's pretty damm good."

Chief Executive Bob Nardelli, in a memo to employees, said Chrysler was able to generate cash more easily as a private company through sale of non-earning assets.

"This enhances our ongoing operational improvement efforts, enabling us to continue to invest in new products as we work to reduce our fixed costs, inventory and working capital," he said in the memo, which was released to the media.