It will cost twice as much and fall apart twice as fast.

CARACAS — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is making a new drive to put his socialist revolution on wheels.

The fiery critic of capitalism is promoting a government-led joint venture with a Chinese automaker that he says will offer cheaper cars to Venezuelans and promote socialist principles on the factory floor.

“This is the revolution advancing,” Chavez said. “These quality, good-looking and cheap cars are coming to Venezuela. Only under socialism is this possible.”

It is the latest attempt by the populist leader, who will seek a new six-year term at next year’s presidential election, to bring Venezuelans cut-rate prices on everything from food to healthcare and housing.

The deal also highlights Chavez’s continuing efforts to deepen Venezuela’s ties with China, which he has cultivated along with Russia, Iran and Belarus.

The project with China’s Chery Automobile plans to produce two compact models in Venezuela, a car-crazed country where prices can be three times as high as those for similar models in the United States or Europe.

“We are going to sell these cars at half — half — the price of the capitalist market,” Science, Technology and Industry Minister Ricardo Menendez told state television.

A government statement about the joint venture touts the cars’ “solidarity” prices.

“This is the result of revolutionary policies designed to improve people’s quality of life and combat speculation by multinational companies,” it read.

The smaller of the two cars, a two- or four-door hatchback, is expected to carry a price tag of nearly $20,000. A larger, sedan-style car will cost around $28,000.