The Dodge Hornet first made an appearance in concept form at the 2006 Geneva show, and it was soon announced that Chrysler was in search of a manufacturer to build this model. With many having anticipated a Chinese manufacturer stepping up to the plate, it now seems that Nissan has landed the contract instead.
While this contract is yet to be confirmed by Chrysler and Nissan, it stems from a deal the two companies made in January when the manufacturers announced that Nissan would build a car for Chrysler at its Oppama factory in Japan. It was announced that the car in question would be based on the NissanTiida.
If the Hornet is in fact the result of this deal, production should start in Japan in 2009, with the new car going on sale sometime in 2010. According to Chrysler vice president, Thomas Hausch, the company is “working intensely on the Hornet study,” and may “announce something on (it) in the near future”
The 2006 Hornet Concept was a three-door hatchback that bored some resemblance to the Mini Cooper, and according to recent reports, the Hornet is likely to take the shape of “an upscale small car designed to compete against the Mini”. The powerplant under the bonnet of the concept was the Mini-borrowed supercharged 1,6-litre unit with a power output of approximately 128 kW.