Chrysler exec slams Trump on China tweet

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DETROIT, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A Chrysler executive has apologized for his language but stands by a tweet calling out Donald Trump for saying U.S. Jeep production is moving to China.

Ralph Gilles, Chrysler Group LLC vice president for product design, was responding to a Trump online posting that said: "(President Barack) Obama is a terrible negotiator. He bails out Chrysler and now Chrysler wants to send all Jeep manufacturing to China -- and will!"

Chrysler has repeatedly corrected stories appearing in right-wing media and social networking sites claiming the company plans to move Jeep production out of the United States. The company said it plans to produce Jeeps in China for sale in China but is expanding Jeep production in the United States.

Chrysler last week said Republican presidential nominee Romney was wrong when he repeated the story at a campaign rally in Ohio, and Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne told employees in an email Tuesday Jeep production "will not be moved from the United States to China."

Gilles has had thousands of favorable responses to his tweet telling Trump, "You are full of sh*t," the Detroit News reported Saturday.

Despite getting so much positive response for his tweet, Gilles apologized for his choice of words.

"I apologize for my language, but lies are just that, lies," he tweeted. "Thanks for the support People.

"No idea 5 words would blow up like that today! The truth is we ARE rebuilding jobs, lives & GDP, respect to all hard working Americans!" he wrote.