The Supervisory Board at DaimlerChrysler has just approved the partnership with the Chery Motor Company. That means the Chinese automaker would produce subcompact vehicles for the Chrysler group, which will be sold in North America and Western Europe.
Chrysler claims the association would allow them to become a bigger player on the global automotive scene. They can now have quicker access to products destined for new segments, at a lower cost. The Chrysler Group is in need of small and fuel-efficient vehicles.
The next step to conclude the deal will be the approval by the Chinese government.
This will not be the first time that a domestic vehicle manufacturer signs a deal with an Asian company to help them produce small vehicles:
So, a deal between an American car manufacturer and a Chinese one would be a first.
photo:Chery
Chrysler claims the association would allow them to become a bigger player on the global automotive scene. They can now have quicker access to products destined for new segments, at a lower cost. The Chrysler Group is in need of small and fuel-efficient vehicles.
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| Chery QQ |
The next step to conclude the deal will be the approval by the Chinese government.
This will not be the first time that a domestic vehicle manufacturer signs a deal with an Asian company to help them produce small vehicles:
- Ford once sold the Kia-built Festiva and Aspire, which were actually based on a Mazda 121 design;
- General Motors once sold the Chevrolet Nova, which was slightly modified version of the Toyota Corolla;
- General Motors once sold the Chevrolet Sprint, Pontiac Firefly and Geo Metro, which were clones of the Suzuki Forsa/Swift;
- General Motors also sold the Pontiac LeMans, a Daewoo-built 3-door hatchback and sedan model based on an Opel Kadett design;
- Chrysler once sold the Dodge Colt, Plymouth Colt, Eagle Summit and Eagle Vista, which were all rebadged versions of the Mitsubishi Mirage compact;
- General Motors is currently selling the Chevrolet Aveo and Pontiac Wave, which are clones of the Daewoo Kalos.
So, a deal between an American car manufacturer and a Chinese one would be a first.
photo:Chery