Fiat May Relaunch Jeep Production in China

Fiat SpA is in "detailed" talks with partner Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. about reviving production of Jeep SUVs in China, Bloomberg News reports.

Fiat owns 58.5% of Chrysler Group LLC, which owns the Jeep brand. Chrysler assembled Jeeps in China through its Beijing Jeep joint venture between 1985 and 2009.

Mike Manley, chief operating officer at Fiat and Chrysler in Asia, tells Bloomberg that Fiat could eventually produce Jeep's entire model lineup in China to sell in that market. The plan does not affect existing Jeep production in the U.S.

Chrysler hopes to boost sales of its Dodge, Jeep and namesake brands outside North America to 500,000 units in 2014 from 186,000 units last year. Manley says that goal is still possible despite slumping sales in Europe. Jeep sales in China more than doubled to 33,500 units in the first nine months of 2012.