Chrysler's Chinese puzzle

The model was tipped to be built in a tie-up between US giant Chrysler and Chery, the Chin­ese brand, and they even signed a letter of intent late in 2006.

However, the model to come out of that agreement will not be the buzzy little machine seen at last year's Geneva Motor Show - as an insider has told us another small car should be expected.

And the US firm's sales chief, Thomas Hausch, fuelled speculation that the newcomer could be the first Chinese-built Chrysler by saying its plant in Graz, Austria, was not set up for small cars. The site's flex­ible line currently makes the Voyager MPV and 300C sal­oon, plus the Jeep Grand Cherokee.