Shanghai January 18 (Gasgoo.com) Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat SpA and Chrysler Group, announced plans to export the Mexican-produced Fiat 500 compact sedan to China.
Marchionne told reporters during the Detroit Auto Show that of the 120,000 vehicles the Toluca, Mexico factory is capable of producing, half were planned to be sold in North America, while the other half will be exported to China and Brazil. Laura J. Soave, head of Fiat in North America, announced that Chrysler will begin producing the 500 this month.
The redesigned 500 was released in Europe in 2007, becoming the company's best selling compact after the Panda.
The Italian automaker hopes that the 500 will help increase its Chinese sales. The company is planning to bring the vehicle via its joint partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group in late 2011.
