An auto war with China?

Chrysler President Robert A. Lutz says talks with Chinese officials about a minivan venture have stalled. "It basically had to do with intellectual property rights," Mr. Lutz says, adding that the Chinese wanted to write language into the deal that would have permitted local imitation of Chrysler products. Trade problems between the U.S. and China haven't affected Chrysler's Beijing Jeep operations, scheduled to build about 30,000 Cherokees this year, he says. "We support the U.S. government totally," he says. Ford Chairman Alex J. Trotman says there has been no change in Ford's relations with Chinese officials despite trade problems between the U.S. and China. Meanwhile, barring a full-fledged trade war with China, Ford or GM will know by the end of this month who gets the chance to partner with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. in a new $1 billion auto plant. Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. initially were in the running, but in mid-February the field was narrowed to the U.S. Big Two. The Chinese plant is slated to build 200,000 minivans and 100,000 mid-range luxury cars a year by 2000.