Chrysler will reportedly begin selling a Dodge -badged Chery A1 in Mexico “very soon.” The A1 will be built at Chery’s Wuhu plant and exported to Mexico. The A1 is expected to cross the boarder into the United States sometime in 2009, as long as the sub-compact can pass U.S. safety and emissions regulations.
The Detroit Free Press reports that the A1 sells for around $7,100 in China, but will have to come with more features and safety equipment to succeed in the United States, likely bumping the price to about $10,000. The least expensive car currently sold in the U.S. is the Chevrolet Aveo5, which starts at $10,560 and includes side-impact airbags as standard equipment. The Aveo5 is built by GM Daewoo in South Korea.
The Chery A1 is a similar-shape five-door hatchback. The Dodge version of the A1 is expected to be the first Chinese car sold in the U.S.
