DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group and China's Chery Automobile Co. have signed a deal for the latter to build small cars to be sold worldwide, Chrysler said on Friday.

The cars, which will be built "fairly soon," will be sold as a Chrysler Group brand, either Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge, Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines told Xinhua.

"We chose Chery for it is an very attractive partner," he said. But he declined to reveal the quantity and financial terms of the agreement.

The deal must be approved by DaimlerChrysler's supervisory board, which meets next month, and by the Chinese government, Vines said.