First look: Dodge taps Nissan's Tiida

EMBATTLED Dodge has turned to Nissan for a rebadged Tiida that the company hopes will boost its fortunes in the South American market.

The Dodge Trazo C1.8 is the result of an agreement signed between Chrysler and Nissan in January for just such a car and was launched at the Sao Paulo motor show last week.

It is expected to go on sale in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay by the middle of 2009.

“The new Trazo C1.8 by Dodge allows us to enter into a segment in which we currently do not compete… and provides our dealers with further opportunities to expand their business,” said Chrysler international sales and marketing vice-president Mike Manley.