DaimlerChrysler has signed a preliminary agreement with China’s Chery Automobile to build a small car for the Chrysler Group, according to Automotive News. The two companies have long been rumored to be in talks about a compact car collaboration.
While Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines wouldn’t confirm the identity of the new car, it is widely believed to be a b-segment vehicle based on the Dodge Hornet concept (pictured). Chrysler was originally rumored to be talking to Volkswagen about sourcing a platform for the project, but in July the focus shifted to Chery.
The deal still requires approval from DaimlerChrysler’s supervisory board, which meets in January, as well as the Chinese government.
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12/29, 12:40 PM
posted by:
F451
So is a Chinese company a likely Chrysler buyout candidate in the near future? Those krafty Germans.
12/29, 12:45 PM
posted by:
SHEPO
It’s a risky venture on both their parts, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
12/29, 1:19 PM
posted by:
kosai03
Always be careful when doing business with China.
12/29, 2:31 PM
posted by:
chevy490
ahh man no y u!! y not crappy ford no one would care if they went chinese!
12/29, 2:53 PM
posted by:
Vdub
doing business with china? everything is made in china!!
12/29, 4:39 PM
posted by:
patckc88
http://seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2004-Dodge-Sling-Shot-Concept.htm
Forget the hornet…MAKE THAT! throw in the calibers engine and the turbo 2.4 and we are set!
12/29, 5:27 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
Could then be sold in the Automotive department at your local Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. (They have the distribution channels!!)
12/29, 5:56 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
Hmhh I kind of liked the hornet, I liked the sling shot too, I wonder if I would like them after the chinese build them.
12/29, 9:32 PM
posted by:
Elvio
hmmm….very interesting….USA used to get a lot of things that were Made in Mexico not long ago. Then, China came to take the position over. Would this happen again that make Chrysler shift the car productions from Mexico to China in the near future??
12/29, 11:05 PM
posted by:
autonutt
F451, interesting idea..
12/30, 11:25 AM
posted by:
Eion
Well, GM and Ford are already heavily involved in the Chinese car market, in a way that Chrysler is not – so this makes sense.
I doubt they’d shift production for US cars from Mexico to China. Wouldn’t increased transportation costs more than eat up any saving?
12/31, 4:01 PM
posted by:
A4
cherys are TRASH
01/02, 9:43 AM
posted by:
Me
Let’s take a poor quality car company and collaborate with a worse quality car company… Yeah, great…