"We cant do it alone" said Tom LaSorda, CEO of Chrysler Group, referring to the creation and launch of a new subcompact car.
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| Hornet Concept (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Citing high expenses for such a project, and the fact that Chrysler currently has no offering in the market which is popular outside of the US, LaSorda said he hopes to find a suitable partner by the end of 2006. He hasn't ruled out China as an export hub for the new car either. The carmaker has also been in talks with European manufacturers. In today's lucrative market, such partnerships are common, and everybody's technology and parts are for sale.
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| Hornet Concept (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Chryslers Hornet concept from the Geneva autoshow earlier this year indicated the styling direction the small car may take if Chrysler decides to enter the segment, though LaSorda says that Chrysler will do no such thing unless they can find a partner with a profitable business case. The move could stand to boost Chrysler group sales volume and increase their international presence as they slash costs in an attempt to offset forecasted losses for the third quarter of this year.