Dec 31, 2006 16:03
Summary from Automotive Digest:
Situation
- Chrysler Group to import small Dodge car from China's Chery automaker, beginning in 2008
- Deal confirmed by DC, 1st such pact w/ Chinese automaker by any major Western producer
- Tentatively named Dodge Hornet, 'B-car' subcompact will be smaller than Dodge Caliber
- Chrysler turns to China because cost of building domestic B-car all but wipes out profit
- Deal pressures UAW on carmaking costs
- Holding prospect of small SUVs, compacts also farmed out to China
Significance
- Chery already exports cars to about 20 countries in SE Asia, Africa, Middle East
- Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda praises Chery's manufacturing record
- Says it's "good fit" w/ domestic automaker's engineering, design staffs
- Chery deal still to be ratified by DC supervisory board, UAW chief Ron Gettelfinger is member
- Chery-Chrysler liaison began after Chinese automaker broke off agreement w/ US dealer group working w/ Malcolm Bricklin
Detroit Freep
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