VIETNAM

Chrysler Hopes to Open Car Plant: The auto maker plans to seek government approval for its first car assembly operation there by the end of next month, a company representative said. The company hopes to make as many as 17,000 vehicles a year at a factory to be built in southern Vietnam, said Vance Peacock, director for Chrysler Corp.’s Vietnamese operations. The plant is expected to open in 1997, Peacock said. The venture would make Chrysler the second U.S. auto firm to enter the market.