Mitsubishi, Fiat to tie up

Mitsubishi, Fiat to tie up

TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is to tie up with Fiat SpA in a deal to supply the Italian automaker with engine and chassis components to make small sports utility vehicles, a report said Saturday.

Fiat is to make the body for the 1,800 cc vehicles, to be assembled by Italian firm Pininfarina, the Mainichi Shimbun said.

Production is to start next year with an estimated output of 35,000 units a year, the daily said.

Mitsubishi is trying to expand its market in Europe and aims to sell 330,000 vehicles per year in 2000, the daily said.