Will China soon have domestically-produced Alfa Romeos? That’s the story according to Ward’s Auto, which cites a “well-placed” source. Apparently, parent company Fiat SpA is almost ready to sign on the dotted line with Nanjing and Chery to assemble the Italian cars in the world’s fastest-growing automobile market.
Fiat is apparently hoping to have Chery assemble the cars, but it already has a joint-venture agreement with Nanjing, which is slowing negotiations. If the deal with Chery is to go through, Fiat will likely have to divest its 50-percent stake in the existing JV partnership with Nanjing, a move which could happen soon.
Fiat hopes that it can begin producing some 30,000-35,000 Chinese Alfas in 2009 (startin with its 159 sedan), with the eventual possibility of exporting to other markets, including Mother Italy.
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