CHINA / National |
Chery, Chrysler to debut first joint model in April(AP)Updated: 2007-03-14 22:45 SHANGHAI - Chrysler Group and Chinese automaker Chery Automobile plan to present their first joint model, the subcompact Chery A1 at the Shanghai Auto Show next month, Chery said Wednesday. The A1, an upgraded version of Chery's popular QQ, will be among at least six small vehicles that Chery and Chrysler reportedly plan to produce together, reportedly for export. But Chery spokesman Wang Wei said the A1 was intended for sale in Chinese market. "We don't have any plan to launch this product made in cooperation with Chrysler in the North American and West European markets, contrary to what many reports said," Wang said in a telephone interview. The A1 is expected to sell for 40,000 yuan to 65,000 yuan (US$5,200-US$8,400; euro3,900-euro6,350), the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Last month, DaimlerChrysler AG announced it had approved a limited partnership to build cars in China with Chery. Financial details of the arrangement were not disclosed. The Shanghai Auto Show, due to be held April 21-28, is staged once every two years and is a major venue for China's fledgling domestic automakers to present new models and prototypes.
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