Fiat Chrysler seeks to rebut criticism ahead of U.S. safety hearing

WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV went on offense ahead of a hearing before federal regulators to blunt criticism of its plan to install trailer hitches on 1.5 million Jeep Cherokee and Liberty SUVs to avert a more costly fix to reduce the risk that fuel tanks could rupture and catch fire in rear-end collisions.