For the past two years, investor Malcolm Bricklin has touted a plan to bring ultra-affordable cars made by China’s Chery Automobile to the United States. This year, he revised the plan to focus on low-cost, high-feature models rather than bargain basement economy cars. The cars were expected to be sold under the Visionary Vehicles brand in late 2008 or early 2009.
According to a new report by AutoWeek, those plans may have been derailed. Sources suggest Daimler Chrysler ’s involvement with Chery — including the possible manufacturing of the Dodge Hornet Concept — could be the reason behind the unravelling. The magazine suggests DCX may have convinced Chery to break off talks with Mr. Bricklin.
Bricklin, who is credited with bringing Subaru to America, is now believed to be drawing up plans for an original model line. Visionary Vehicles will then contract an appropriate Chinese automaker to manufacture the cars. It’s unclear how this change of strategy — if true — would affect VV’s launch schedule.
