Dodge-branded Chery A1 headed to Mexico soon
Chrysler and Chery will finally consummate their corporate marriage south of the border when a version of the Dodge-badged Chery A1 goes on sale in Mexico soon. The Chinese econobox will be built at Chery's Wuhu plant and exported to Mexico. According to a review in the Wall Street Journal, beyond a vibration in the steering column at 100 mph, some interior fitment issues and a lack of grunt with four adults in the car, the A1 handled the daily slog with relative ease. Not bad for a little over $5,000.
Sales of the Dodge/Chery A1 in the States are expected sometime in 2009, assuming that the subcompact can meet U.S. crash and emissions standards. Regardless, we're still waiting for the Hornet.
[Source: China Car Times via TTAC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
EJ25RUN 3:04PM (12/18/2007)
barf
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Harrison 3:05PM (12/18/2007)
When will they build the SRT version?
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Jerk Face 3:11PM (12/18/2007)
LOL
GT 3:38PM (12/18/2007)
LMAO
a HEMI can be a good alternative too lol
Level 3:08PM (12/18/2007)
you really cant complain much for a car that cost little over 5K....
or spend the 15K+ for a Honda Fit...
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I_Hate_China 4:14PM (12/18/2007)
> or spend the 15K+ for a Honda Fit...
Honda Fit is worth every dime of your money.
This $12,000(Yup, forget about $5000 Chinamobile) isn't even worth free.
Level 10:00PM (12/18/2007)
"Honda Fit is worth every dime of your money."
Wow I can tell you are very smart!
What would you be left with, if Honda were to slash 10K from a Honda Fit????
Guess
Bingo a 5k Chery A1
Im not saying the chery is the best made car in the world, how could it be for just 5K...but dont knock it and try to say that a car that is worth a lot more $$$$ is better...No Sh*T sherlock....
Mi key 3:14PM (12/18/2007)
I hope this joint venture can lead to a sub 10k Hornet. Now that would be sweet.
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Brett 3:17PM (12/18/2007)
There hasn't been much said about the Hornet lately. I hope they aren't reconsidering. That would suck.
I_Hate_China 4:17PM (12/18/2007)
> There hasn't been much said about the Hornet lately. I hope they aren't reconsidering. That would suck.
Hornet is dead. At least it won't be coming from Chery. A Nissan sourced Hornet is the current talk on the table.
Mattias 3:14PM (12/18/2007)
There are already many Dodge branded Hyundais there so this does not surprise me.
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iamhoff 4:19AM (12/19/2007)
I agree. I live in San Diego and often see some of the goofiest non-Chinese cars out there, and they're all Dodge-branded Hyundai's. My personal fave is the Atos (http://tinyurl.com/2u9bm3), but who would've thought that someone would actually rename the Hyundai Accent into the Dodge Attitude?
Guenther 3:28PM (12/18/2007)
Personally, I'd rather drive a 10 y/o Civic for 5 grand, but it is impressive to see that price point. I think the last time something that cheap was available here was the Geo Metro, and with inflation, even that cost much more.
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MemphisNET 3:29PM (12/18/2007)
Keep it under 10k USD and it will be a fine little run about.
It vibrates ABOVE 100mph (ok, why is anyone driving that fast) it has fit and finish issues (its a 5000$ car?) and a pokey 4cyl. There are lots of 15-20k cars with pokey 4cyl motors.
These issues are non-issues. Everyone is spoiled and thinks each and every car should have Lexus fit and finish, VW materials and BMW M series handling. Give it a rest. Cars like this are REAL cars. And as much as I want to have a nice toy, something practical is far more important.
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Level 3:34PM (12/18/2007)
well Said.....Couldnt have said it better myself!.....
This would make a perfect 3rd car to do grocery shopping or short commutes..
Shawn 3:39PM (12/18/2007)
You skipped the part about safety
MemphisNET 3:41PM (12/18/2007)
there's already lots of cars on our roads with crap safety standards, however - to be sold here, it would have to meet our minimum requirements.
still not bad for 5K
Shawn 3:50PM (12/18/2007)
MemphisNET, this is not any "crappy" car on the road. This is supoosedly a modern day 2009 model. Name a single 2007 model that has a crappy safety record of a Chinese car?
joe23521 4:08PM (12/18/2007)
No need to worry about the safety. If it doesn't pass, it can't be sold here. That's why we have standards.
MemphisNET 4:47PM (12/18/2007)
I didn't say IT was a crap car. What I was trying to get across was that there are many cars sold here (North America) that are, compared to their peers, 'crap' cars when it comes to safety - less than stellar. Obviously they meet requirements and are 'safe'.
Oh, and bad 2007 Chinese car?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06LjugtIUo
I realize it was 'upgraded' to 3 stars... but thats still pretty damn scary for a large car.