Whoa, he IS talented!
Posted on 09/25/2006 11:23:04 AM PDT by eraser2005
DETROIT (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group (XETRA:DCXGN.DE - News; NYSE:DCX - News) could link up with a Chinese automaker to launch a new small car as Chrysler works to conclude a review of potential partners in the coming weeks, Chief Executive Tom LaSorda said on Monday.
LaSorda, speaking to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, noted that the No. 3 U.S. automaker has never named the companies in Asia and Europe it had discussions with about a deal to produce subcompact cars for sale in the United States and other markets.
But, when asked, he said "China has not been ruled out" as a production hub for the new vehicle.
LaSorda said he hoped Chrysler would have an announcement about a partner for the division's push into small cars by the end of the year.
He did not comment on reports that DaimlerChrysler was moving close to clinching a deal with China's Chery Automobile Co. in what would mark a first-of-its-kind tie-up for the developing Chinese auto industry.
(Excerpt) Read more at biz.yahoo.com ...
They already build CRAP, so why the hell not?
Why don't they call it the Wal-Cart?
The other 'Big' two should be in negotiations for the same thing, if they are not.
Whoa, he IS talented!
"If this turns out to be true, this is NOT a good thing..."
Of course it is. After all, those overfed, overpaid American autoworkers deserve every bread line they get along with every ancillary manufacturing worker in auto parts, tires, fabrics, machinetools, and robotics. Along with the communities that the plants are located in that provide shopping, banking, clothes, shoes, retail and fastfood and housing..
Good for them. /sarc
Shouldn't Chrysler being trying to up their quality? The Mitsubishi Eclipse was a potentially great car that was ruined by too many crappy Chrysler parts.
Like what?
Really? And in which countries in Europe are Cherys actually available for sale, other than Russia?
From JD Power's last IQS of the Chinese market (2004), Chery had 374 defects per 100 vehicles. Average in the US is 124/100. 374 is nearly twice as many defects as the worst performing vehicle line available in the US, Land Rover (204/100). Of course, that is with the new 2006 measures. Go back to 2004 for a comparable set of measures, and the US average was 119 and Hummer was worst, at 173/100.
In other words, Chery had more than twice the number of defects of the worst brand available for sale in the US.
"They are cheaper than a Hyundai and are supposedly better built."
Really?
"The pictures show the Chery QQ, China's copycat Chevrolet Matiz, being put through its European crash test paces. And, as these chilling images illustrate, the impact on UK drivers could be fatal if the city car was imported here.
The vehicle looks as if it's managed a low or no-point score as it was independently tested for front and side impact using crash dummies. The pictures clearly reveal that the engine bay crumple zone has completely collapsed and the front wheel has been forced back into the footwell. As a result, the model's legs have been crushed."
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/202239/copycat_cars_crash_test_shock.html
Why do we have such trouble building small cars ourselves?
The Chery Geely Rovers are sold all over Europe.
Chery and Geely are two seperate Chinese auto manufacturers. There is no such car as a Chery Geely Rover.
I think there is a video of that vehicle in its European crash tests that's been floating around the net. The car completely crumbles around the driver - I wouldn't get anywhere near one of those things.
You don't get it, do you? Out-of-work auto workers don't stand in breadlines. They get full pay. That's part of the problem.
"Out-of-work auto workers don't stand in breadlines."
I think I know the auto industry quite well. I won't tell you why, but I really do. Those buyouts last for a year. Gen is until 9/2007, next contract.
The loss of manufacturing is forever.
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