Fiat wants to build jeep in Russia

In a visit to Russia, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat, said the presence of Vladimir Putin that he would like to build SUVs in this country. Group controlling Chrysler, Fiat could build Jeep models in Russia.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group, said he would like to launch SUV production in Russia. Comment was made during the visit of Marchionne in Moscow to sign agreement between Fiat's U.S. subsidiary, Case New Holland Inc.. and Kamaz, the largest manufacturer of trucks in Russia, to cooperate in agricultural machinery.

"Our dream is to do a jeep in Russia," Marchionne said when he signed an understanding in the presence of Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.

Fiat controls American group Chrysler, in which models are produced and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. Putin is one of the most important business partners in Russia and is a friend of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Marchionne told it would be a good move build an SUV in Russia.

"SUVs are in great demand in Russia, taking into account that we still have areas where there are decent roads built," said Putin, most influential politician in Russia.

Marchionne said that Fiat will take forward its partnership with Sollers (Russian manufacturer), which already plans to produce Fiat cars in small and medium category. Sollers, like other automakers that produce in Russia, has been hit very hard this year in sales due to financial crisis chapter.

Source: http://www.fiat.com/