Chrysler and Chery talks fall through

Chrysler LLC has ended cooperation talks with China’s Chery Automotive Co., in reaction to the global economic slowdown. A company spokesperson said this means one of Chrysler’s potentially more promising efforts to expand its overseas operations and build up its small car line-up is now out the window, but will not affect Chrysler’s other alliances and partnerships. Chrysler has successfully partnered with Nissan Motor Co. to introduce a small car in South America in 2009, based on the Japanese auto company’s Versa sedan. For Volkswagen, Chrysler in Canada is already building a 2009 mini-van called the VW Routan for the North American market. (December 9, 2008)