Ow my globalization: Chinese Dodge

[substitute]

Summary from Automotive Digest:

Situation

• Chrysler Group to import small Dodge car from China's Chery automaker, beginning in 2008
  
• Deal confirmed by DC, 1st such pact w/ Chinese automaker by any major Western producer
  
• Tentatively named Dodge Hornet, 'B-car' subcompact will be smaller than Dodge Caliber
  
• Chrysler turns to China because cost of building domestic B-car all but wipes out profit
  
• Deal pressures UAW on carmaking costs
  
• Holding prospect of small SUVs, compacts also farmed out to China

Significance

• Chery already exports cars to about 20 countries in SE Asia, Africa, Middle East
  
• Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda praises Chery's manufacturing record
  
• Says it's "good fit" w/ domestic automaker's engineering, design staffs
  
• Chery deal still to be ratified by DC supervisory board, UAW chief Ron Gettelfinger is member
  
• Chery-Chrysler liaison began after Chinese automaker broke off agreement w/ US dealer group working w/ Malcolm Bricklin

Detroit Freep news article has more

Comments

[detcarguy.livejournal.com]

LOL, with those plastic jump seats bolted in the back with the "oh shit" handles!