Guangzhou Auto may buy Fiat's "178 platform"

Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group Co. Ltd (GAIG), one of the largest automakers in China, is reportedly in talks with Italian carmaker Fiat on buying a manufacturing platform from Fiat for own-brand technology development, as per industry sources.

The Chinese automaker is negotiating with Fiat to purchase an outdated "178 platform" from Nanjing Fiat, sources said citing an industry insider close to GAIG.

However, both parties are still in talks on the technology cooperation and no final deals have been made yet. No official comment is available yet.

The old manufacturing platform was mainly engaged in producing vehicle models with engines from 1.2L to 1.5L, while GAIG's own-brand models' are positioned at 2.0L to 2.5L mid- and high-level sedans.

Whether the Chinese car producer is able to develop its own-brand models well by Fiat's eliminated platform depends on GAIG's further efforts and devotion in the future, said the insider, adding that GAIG is possible to begin research of its own products from mastering technology of the platform.