Marchionne: Fiat Might Look for Another Jeep Partner in China

Chrysler Group LLC is awaiting government approval in China to make Jeeps in a 50:50 venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. But Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne tells reporters he could replace GAC instead or add a second partner.

Marchionne says Chrysler has been approached by several other would-be partners but is not in talks with any of them. GAC and Fiat already collaborate on carmaking in China.

Jeep's former owner, American Motors Corp., began assembling SUVs in China in 1985 through a venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Co. Chrysler left the venture in 2009.

Last year the company sold only 46,000 Jeeps in China, all of them imported and carrying big tariffs. Marchionne has said he aims to produce Jeeps locally at a rate of 100,000 units per year.