DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG’s Chrysler Group and General Motors Corporation have held discussions for about six months about a possible alliance related to large sport utility vehicles, according to newspaper report on Friday.
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter who it did not name, said the automakers had preliminary discussions to jointly develop a large SUV such as the Chevrolet Suburban, which Chrysler doesn’t have in its line-up.
The New York Times, citing people with direct knowledge of the talks that it also didn’t name, said the companies are holding discussions about a project that would provide Chrysler with a version of the Chevrolet Tahoe large SUV.
GM and Chrysler also are looking at sharing small cars developed by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, a unit of GE in South Korea that builds the Chevrolet Aveo compact car for GM, the Journal reported.
The automakers have declined to comment on reports of talks.
Chrysler already has alliances with GM, including one to develop petrol-electric hybrid engine technology.
Last year, GM was in talks with Nissan Motor Company and Renault SA on crating an automaking alliance, but those were called off in October.
Those talks have nothing to do with the Chrysler talks, the Times reported. DaimlerChrysler said on Wednesday in announcing Chrysler’s restructuring that it was exploring all options for Chrysler, including strategic partners.
DaimlerChrysler chairperson Dieter Zetshce would not rule out selling the troubled United States operation.
On Thursday, Chrysler chief executive Tom LaSorda told the Journal in an interview that he hopes uncertainty about whether Chrysler will remain part of the German automaker is resolved “sooner rather than later”. – Sapa-AP