Chryler LLC and Chery
In July 2007, Chrysler LLC signed a landmark deal with Chery China to sell a series of small cars made by Chery under the American auto maker's Dodge brand.
Chrysler has said it plans to start selling the cars in Latin America and other developing markets next year and aims to have them on the market in the U.S. and Western Europe by 2009.
The pact marks the first time that one of Detroit's Big Three has outsourced the production of entire vehicles to a Chinese company. The deal also sends a warning to high-cost workers in the U.S. and Europe that even more of their jobs could be at risk.
Chery said it expects to benefit from Chrysler's technical expertise and established sales and service networks. Even though their cars will be sold under the Dodge brand, they expect consumers will know they are made in China by Chery.
Chryler LLC and Southeast Motor
Chrysler's first Caravan rolled off assembly line in Fujian-based Southeast Motor in November 6, Xinhua News Agency reported today.
Mr.Philip Murtaugh, CEO of Chrysler Asia, referred the production of Dodge Cavaran in China as a "landmark" of Chrysler's global expansion. Last year, the popular Chrysler sold 1.3 million units of Dodge Cavaran world wide.
Cavaran is the first Dodge vehicle produced by the joint venture of Chrysler and Southeast Motors.
Located in Fuzhou city of Fujian province, Southeast Motor was founded by Fujian Automotive Industry Group and the Taiwan-based China Motor Corporation in November 1995. In April 2006, Japanese automaker Mitsubishi joined the partership. Currently Fujian Automotive Industry Group holds 50 percent of stakes, China Motor Corporation 25 percent and Mitsubishi 25 percent.
So far, the two parties just focus on technical cooperation and Chrysler has no share held in the joint venture.
