Chrysler Plans, Part II: EVs, Hybrids Apparently Holding 'til Next 5-Year Plan
While it was heartening to hear Chrysler's new powertrain chief talk about small and efficient gas and diesel engines this morning, it was far less so to listen and not hear anything about that long-rumored Dodge EV or a line of plug-in hybrids in the 2009-2014 Chrysler product plan that was unwound for us during the day.
Under the old, pre-bankruptcy plan, there was to be a Dodge EV in 2010 and a Chrysler extended-range plug-n hybrid in 2011, with more to follow. Maybe even a Chrysler 300 with all-electric drive.
Chrysler's new corporate website has a nice feature and Q&A about electrification and the work of the 2-year-old ENVI (stands for ENVIronmental) group that's developing EV and PHEV concepts and prototypes for Chrysler.
We did hear that Chrysler will bring the popular Fiat 500 subcompact (right) to the U.S. late next year as a 2011 model, to be sold in major metropolitan areas - hooray!
But discussion of its activities and plans for its future and for future electrified vehicles was glaringly absent from today's product plan session under Chrysler's post-bankruptcy bosses from Fiat.
But we're optimists at heart, and keep hearing our Chrysler friends telling us not to worry, that ENVI's still part of the company plan and still working on vehicles and systems that eventually will see the light of day.
So we cross our fingers and wait for Sig. Marchionne and crew to honor us with that information. Sooner, please, than later.
John O'Dell, Senior Editor.
- Posted by
- John O'Dell November 4, 2009, 6:20 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Chrysler, Hybrid, Plug-ins and Electric
- Technorati Tags:
- Chrysler Product Plan, EVs, PHEVS
Marchione said the focus of the new Chrysler is not on the past, but on the future. So, why would they discuss the old plans for EVs when everyone knows that the market, our economy, and the grid won't support all electric vehicles for another decade or longer. Marchione does not appear to be a dreamer, but rather a pragmatist who knows what this country needs right now. The media should embrace more coverage of the Chrysler Group's desire to bring natural gas vehicle technology to North America. Now that's something to hear, write, and get excited about. NGVs are the worlds cleanest vehicles and they run on combustion engines, and as a hybrid could further advance the electric vehicle movement towards reality. How are the manufacturers and energy companies going to finance the investment in R&D, factory retooling, and infrastructure demands of electric vehicles? Domestic Natural Gas and may the Big Three lead the way!