Chavez threatens to expropriate Toyota in Venezuela

Chavez, speaking at a public event late Wednesday, also issued a warning to Ford, General Motors and Fiat, who also have assembly plants in Venezuela.

"I immediately order an inspection of the Toyota plant, to see why they do not want to build all-terrain vehicles," Chavez said.
"We have to force them, and if not they can leave and we'll bring in another company," he said.

"The Chinese want to come, the Chinese make the all-terrain," he said.
Chavez asked for a minimum quota of Toyota all-terrain vehicles built in Venezuela, and threatened to expropriate their plant if they refused to comply.
"Let's suppose those people (from Toyota) don't want to. Well, we'll tell them to leave, this is our house. And we'll take those same warehouses and factories, we'll pay them whatever they are worth, we aren't going to rob anyone, and then we'll quickly call the Chinese," he said.

Chavez also warned the "traditional" auto companies operating in Venezuela to be ready to transfer their know-how to the locals. "If they don't want to, they can leave," Chavez said. "We don't need them, we aren't interested."