Detroit Free Press Tom Walsh column: Chrysler looks overseas.

Byline: Tom Walsh

Jan. 4--Even as he works on a plan to cope with slumping sales and bulging inventories in his home market, Chrysler Group president and CEO Tom LaSorda is expected to report solid gains today in overseas sales of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles during 2006. LaSorda also will announce plans to build the 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan in China, adding to a DaimlerChrysler portfolio of assembled-in-China vehicles that also will include the Chrysler 300C and Mercedes E-Class sedans, along with minivans and some Jeep models. Chrysler sold 206,925 cars and trucks outside North America last year, 15% more than in 2005, following a 7.5% gain the previous year. The company has increased its …