Chrysler’s commercial featuring Eminem, which debuted at the Super Bowl this year was credited this morning for helping the Auburn Hills-based automaker post a $116 million profit for the first three months of the year, compared to a $197 million net loss the same time period in 2010.

It was the automaker’s first net quarterly profit since emerging from bankruptcy nearly two years ago.

“It clearly had a fairly big impact also on market levels with (the) Eminem Super Bowl ad being extremely well-viewed on YouTube,” said Richard Palmer, Chrysler chief financial officer during a teleconference and webcast today. “And introducing the tag line ‘Imported from Detroit.’ ”

The two-minute ad currently has over 10.5 million hits on YouTube and Chrysler reported during their earnings call that 10,000 Chrysler 200s were sold in the first quarter of this year:

“I think it’s fair to say that we are certainly — internally — very pleased with the results Chrysler has been able to achieve in the first quarter of this year,” said Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne., during the teleconference.

Chrsyler made a very big bet on Eminem and it paid off. it isn’t the end for Chrysler as last night I saw their ad featuring Detroit Lions star Ndamakong Suh and it was chill inducing.

Oliver Francis spoke on the Suh commercial:

“This will be a breakthrough in terms of how you speak about luxury (in) this country. It doesn’t speak about luxury in terms of just aesthetic, but about luxury in terms (of) the spirit.” Olivier Francois (CEO of the Chrysler brand) said.

Go to 50 seconds in this video to see the Suh/ Chrysler commercial:

via MLive