Shanghai November 23 (Gasgoo.com) Following General Motor's successful IPO, the other U.S. automaker Chrysler LLC, which since emerged from a U.S. government-financed bankruptcy in June under management control of Italy's Fiat SpA, has also developed a series of strategies to survive its flagging fortunes.
According to National Business Daily, Chrysler will import its Jeep Patriot, a lightweight SUV, to China in mid-2011, hoping that this mid-to-low end Jeep model will be more suitable for Chinese consumers and meanwhile helping it grab more market share.
Like the Compass, the Jeep Patriot shares the Caliber platform, but it also has "real Jeep" capabilities. For 2011, the body will be "cleaned up," with corners rounded off, and the back muffler mostly covered or blacked out, according to sources.
National Business Daily said in addition to the off-road elements, security and other high-end configurations, great changes will be made to the Patriot to enhance its comfort when being launched in China.
In an effort to turn back to the mainstream auto market, Chrysler plans to have 75% of its models renewed or upgraded by the end of 2010, including 16 new models. Chrysler expects its China sales to double to 20,000 units this year, Kean Zhe, CEO of Chrysler Asia-Pacific Operations said earlier.
