Chrysler Group LLC announced that they could be looking for a new partner to help them grow their Jeep Brand in China. In 2012, Jeep sold 46,000 vehicles in the foreign country. This is less than a half a percent of the total Chinese sales of 19 million cars and light trucks sold in 2012.
Back in 2006, Chrysler split from its partner, Daimler AG. After the official breakup, the German automaker kept the Beijing plant that housed the assembling of new Jeep vehicles. Since then Chrysler has had to ship over their three models for China, the Wrangler, Compass and Grand Cherokee while paying an import tariff on every single vehicle. Because the importing has been so expensive, their prices inflated and as a result, made it difficult to sell them in large capacities.
Now, Chrysler is seeking out a partner and has looked at using Fiat's: Guangzhou Automobile. Since Fiat owns the majority of Chrysler, it was a natural thought to partner up with them. The CEO of both companies explained that they don't have to choose Fiat's partner and is therefore looking at other possibilities as well.
This will be a major benefit to the Jeep brand and we here at Robert Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep can't wait to find out who the partner will be. If you are at all curious in the Jeep models that are causing a demand in China, come check them out at Exit 107 Rte 17e in Monticello, NY. They are quite the fun sport utility vehicle to test drive!