2007年VOA标准英语-US, Chinese Automakers Ink Deal to Make Cars in

By Stephanie Ho
Washington
04 July 2007

U.S. automaker Chrysler and Chinese car company Chery have signed a deal to launch a low-cost production facility in China that would export cars to the United States and other global markets. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Washington.

One of Chery models

The Chrysler-Chery deal means that the already ubiquitous phrase "made in China," which describes a wide range of products exported around the world, will soon apply to passenger cars sold in the U.S.

For years, major foreign automakers have been aggressively expanding production in China, which last year became the world's second largest market for cars. The China Association of Automobile¹ Manufacturers says passenger car sales in China last year rose 37 percent to nearly four million.

Chrysler Group head Tom LaSorda told reporters in Beijing that his company is committed to the China deal.

"The Chrysler Group has a long-term commitment to China," said LaSorda. "We are committed to continue offering world-class vehicles to the domestic market. And as of today, we are committed to building vehicles here for export."

LaSorda said the first Chinese-made cars from the venture are expected to reach Latin America or Eastern Europe within a year. He said he expects models for export to North America or Western Europe to be ready within two and a half years.

LaSorda said Chrysler will work closely with Chery to ensure that the cars meet U.S. and European safety and emissions² standards. He added that the venture's production could reach several hundred thousand autos per year.

Japan's Honda Motor company has exported Chinese-built Jazz model cars to Europe since 2005.

Ten-year-old Chery, based in the eastern Chinese city of Wuhu, is China's largest automaker. The company assembles vehicles with partners in Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Russia and Ukraine. It recently announced plans to open a factory with an Argentine partner in Uruguay, its first venture in Latin America.

Chery CEO and chairman Yin Tongyao said the deal will help his company improve its skills as it tries to expand foreign sales of its own models.

He said Chery has little experience in international business and has much to learn from a big and experienced company like Chrysler.

Chinese carmakers already export low-priced trucks and buses, mostly to Africa and other developing countries.

The first Chrysler-Chery export will be based on Chery's A1 compact car model, and sold under the Dodge³ brand. LaSorda said the two companies will jointly⁴ develop future models.

The Chrysler Group is a division of DaimlerChrysler. The division is being sold to Cerberus Capital Management, an international investment firm, and will continue to sell Chrysler and Dodge brand automobiles⁵.

1 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

2 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

3 dodge   

v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计

参考例句：

• A dodge behind a tree kept her from being run over.她向树后一闪，才没被车从身上辗过。
• The dodge was coopered by the police.诡计被警察粉碎了。

4 jointly   

ad.联合地，共同地

参考例句：

• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。
• She owns the house jointly with her husband. 她和丈夫共同拥有这所房子。

5 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》