Just a day after announcing that it would be contracting its North American design operations into one facility, Chrysler says that it has big plans to grow its auto sales outside of the U.S. The automaker has said that it could even build an assembly plant in Russia, as a means to attaining its goal of doubling sales outside of North America by 2012.

There is certainly a lot of room to grow for Chrysler in Russia; the automaker sold a tiny 5,636 units in the country last year. Chrysler sold 238,000 total vehicles outside of the U.S. and Canada during 2007.

Chrysler has also looked into finding a manufacturing partner inside of Russia, as a way to get its foot in the production door without having to spring for an expensive new factory. And, as Chrysler head of sales Mike Manley pointed out, the Russian market is quickly becoming one of the hottest in the industry.

"The supplier base in Russia is developing tremendously," Manley said. "The more manufacturers that are localized, the quicker you can get your production up and running. The time horizon I'm looking at for localization would be over the next two to four years."

While Manley stopped short of saying which vehicles Chrysler may produce in Russia, he did indicate that they would likely be Sebring-sized or smaller.

+ Automotive News: Chrysler may build vehicles in Russia (subscription may be required)

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