Dodge to hit China, plans 60 Dodge dealers in 2007

Dodge, Chrysler's last brand to be introduced into China, is set to enter the lucrative market. Dodge Caravan, the first Dodge model will be locally produced at the end of 2007 and Dodge Caliber, among other imported Dodge products, will hit the Chinese market early next year.

Dodge, a brand with a history of over ninety years, holds 6% of the American market and has the largest sales record in the Chrysler group. But even such a successful brand faces a challenge when landing in the Chinese market---Dodge lacks a powerful sales network. Comparing with its predecessor---Chrysler and Jeep brands, Dodge seems unprepared with no distribution channel availed to hand.

"We will cooperate with our Chinese partner to construct a professional and brand-new dealership network,  which is separate from that of Chrysler and Jeep," Simon Elliott, President and CEO of Chrysler Group (China) told the local media, "We're confident that the Dodge dealers by the end of 2007 will top 60, and every shop will be a well-equipped 3S shop."