Volga Sebring? Gazelle Stratus? Russian automaker buys DaimlerChrysler tooling
DaimlerChrysler
announced today that it is selling the tooling for its defunct Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus models to Gorky Automotive Works (GAZ) in Russia.The tooling is being liberated by the renovation of DaimlerChrysler's Sterling Heights, Michigan plant, which is being prepared to build the next-generation Sebring and Stratus models.
GAZ will be able to produce and sell the vehicles in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, under its Volga and Gazelle brands. The company holds 18 percent of the Russian auto market.
[Source: Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 6:40PM (4/14/2006)
I've got to think that's a pretty lucrative deal for DCX. I mean, what do auto companies normally do with defunct tooling? I don't imagine there is typically a market for such.
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doug 7:00PM (4/14/2006)
We won the Cold War, why are we attacking the Russians like this?!
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Big Teebo 7:11PM (4/14/2006)
"Just put it in K"
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Magyar 7:35PM (4/14/2006)
Pretty cool. Current Volgas are pieces of crap. A Russian Stratus could compete with Korean, Chinese and Japanese sedans.
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Nick 7:54PM (4/14/2006)
Have you seen their current line? This is a definite step up.
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Graham 10:23PM (4/14/2006)
"I don't imagine there is typically a market for such."
Actually, while I think this is rare for a US maker to do, you'll find old car models living on forever in all sorts of 3rd world countries (the Rover 25 and 75 tooling has recently gone to China for example). But true, I'm not sure it's as common as it used to be.
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ibran 1:40AM (4/15/2006)
Chrysler also sold the XJ tooling to a Chinese manufacturer several years back. With a few new tweaks, they're still making the old Cherokee to this day.
http://www.jeep.com.cn/jeep2500/home.html
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pauln 2:40PM (4/15/2006)
#7: Actually, the Cherokee has been made in China since the mid-late '80's. It was a pioneering deal then, the first western car produced in China in a joint venture; essentially the template for all subsequent joint venture deals.
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