Chrysler will build Sebring for China in China

Bradford Wernle | | Automotive News / January 4, 2007 - 11:21 am The Chrysler group will start assembling the Sebring sedan for China this year at Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co., CEO Tom LaSorda said today.

The Chinese-assembled Sebrings will get engines from the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance plant in Dundee, Mich.

The factory in Beijing is a joint venture of DaimlerChrysler AG and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.

LaSorda also said Chrysler has signed an agreement with China Motor Corp. in Yangmei, Taiwan, to begin exporting a cargo van to Mexico. It will be sold as a Dodge.

The two announcements came just after Chrysler said it hired Chery Automobile Co. to build small cars in China for export to North America, Europe and possibly other markets.

The plan awaits approval from the DaimlerChrysler supervisory board and the Chinese government.