Chinese gear up to make Jeep bid

Great Wall rumoured to be interested in 4x4 giant

A CHINESE car maker could be gearing up to buy the legendary 4x4 manufacturer Jeep.

Reports say Great Wall Motor Company could even launch a mega offer for Jeep’s owner, Fiat Chrysler.

An official is quoted as saying Great Wall “had an intention” to buy some or all of the world’s seventhlargest car maker.

Fiat Chrysler owns a host of big- selling brands. As well as the parent marques, they also include Dodge, Ram, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Jeep. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirmed it had received no approach.

It said it was “fully committed to its 2014-18 plan, having achieved each one of its targets to date and with only six quarters left to its completion.”

Great Wall’s interest in Jeep is thought to be because it is already China’s biggest maker of sports utility vehicles and pick-up trucks.

Jeep marked its 75th birthday last year and dates back to the Second World War, when it was used extensively by the US military. Automotive analyst Yale Zhang said: “The Jeep brand is recognised globally.

“I think Great Wall is eyeing a global strategy.”

Chinese companies have spent years buying up foreign firms, including many in manufacturing. However, China’s State Council has announced a crackdown on some overseas spending. Great Wall would become the second Chinese automotive firm to make an international swoop. Geely, which also owns the London Taxi Company, bought Volvo Cars from Ford in 2010. It also recently bought a 51% slice of the British Norfolk-based sports car manufacturer Lotus.