Mitsubishi-Chrysler deal to end for Raider pickup

Mitsubishi Motors doesn't plan to renew its contract with Chrysler LLC to build its Raider pickup beyond the 2010 model year, and there are no plans for a replacement pickup, the Japanese automaker said.

The Raider is built at Chrysler's Warren Truck plant, which employs more than 1,400 workers. The plant primarily builds versions of the Dodge Ram full-sized pickup and Dodge Dakota compact pickup.

A Chrysler spokesman said the Auburn Hills automaker doesn't expect Mitsubishi's decision to affect its operations or headcount at the plant.

Mitsubishi's decision comes after SUV and pickup sales plummeted 25% in 2008, according to Autodata. Sales of the Raider fell to 2,935 last year, down 64% from 2007.

The two automakers remain partners, along with Hyundai, in a 4-cylinder engine plant in Dundee.

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