Volkswagen may build Polo for Chrysler!
It seems that VW has production capacity in their Pueblo Mexico plant for a Chrysler vehicle based on the Polo platform.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan—The Chrysler Group expects to secure a partner by the end of the year for an inexpensive subcompact that would be sold in North America and global markets.The automaker is evaluating several "semi-finalists," chief operating officer Eric Ridenour told Reuters. Among the prospective partners with which it is talking are Volkswagen and China's Chery Automobile.
Industry sources have said Chrysler and VW have discussed building a low-priced small car at VW's Puebla plant in Mexico that would carry the Dodge brand name in North American and overseas markets. The car could be built on VW's Polo platform or on a larger chassis derived from the previous-generation VW Golf, according to insiders.
Chrysler showed a concept subcompact called the Dodge Hornet at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and company executives said it indicates the design direction for the future small car.
In the United States, the new Chrysler subcompact would compete with such B-segment entries as the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa, the Chevrolet Aveo, the Kia Rio, and the Hyundai Accent, as well as upcoming models from smaller Chinese companies such as Chery and Geely.
Comments
There may be an announcement in early autumn of a small VW coming to North America. We shall see! Maybe Chrysler will rebadge and sell it, too.
Posted by: Stefan | June 14, 2006 1:35 PM