A spokeswoman for Chrysler's China unit said its China business is operating normally and will be merged into the new Chrysler Group LLC, based on the agreement with Fiat. Chrysler LLC said it was not consider changing its development plan for China until the ink had dried on the Fiat deal.

Chrysler sells sport-utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles and passenger cars under its Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler brands in China. The auto maker's short-term plan in China focuses on imports, especially imports under the Jeep brand.

John Kett, vice president of Chrysler LLC and chief executive officer of Chrysler Asia Pacific said earlier the company's capability to move forward in China has been hampered by the ongoing Fiat deal.

(Shanghai Daily June 11, 2009)