Daimler Chrysler AG's Chrysler Group and China's Chery Automobile Co. have signed a deal for the latter to build small cars to be sold worldwide, Chrysler said on Friday.

 

To be built "fairly soon", the cars will be sold as a Chrysler Group brand, either Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge, company spokesman Jason Vines told Xinhua.

 

"We chose Chery because it's a very attractive partner," he said. But he declined to reveal the quantity and financial terms of the agreement.

 

The deal must be approved by Daimler Chrysler's supervisory board, who will meet next month, and the Chinese government, Vines said. 

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2006)