Chrysler steps on the gas and puts EVs, hybrids on hold

[atlaw4u]

CNET - June 30, 2010

DETROIT--Chrysler Group has scaled back its ambitious plans for hybrids and electric vehicles and instead is placing its green bets on internal combustion engines that use Fiat technology.

As Chrysler slid toward bankruptcy in September 2008, it rolled out several hybrid and all-electric vehicles to bolster its green credentials in the eyes of the federal government.

Then-CEO Bob Nardelli put hybrids and electrics on the fast track under the umbrella of a separate division called ENVI and made alternative propulsion a centerpiece of Chrysler's survival strategy. The company, at the time owned by Cerberus Capital Management, showed off plug-in hybrid versions of the Chrysler Town and Country minivan and Jeep Wrangler and an all-electric sports car called the Dodge Circuit, designed with help from Lotus... [Read More]

[Diesel Lover]

The MultiAir engines, I have to admit are quite brilliant... However, it will still be a Fiat engine and I truly hope that these new engines will not suffer from the same bad reliability that previous generations have had. Mainly with the electrics.

If Chrysler can build cars around the new MultiAir engines, get a better product line out there and start making quite a bit of money again, then they'll be able to do their ambitious plans. But right now they only have the Sebring, Town & Country, PT Cruiser and the 300. All of which are rubbish. Plus they've already said they're going to end production of the PT Cruiser. So they'll be stuck with just 3 cars. Someone has to pull the finger out over at Chrysler. They could just re-badge the Punto and the Bravo, sell them over there with the MultiAir engines and Fiat's diesels (which to be honest, are actually pretty good...) and keep the Fiat badge in the US specifically for the 500.

People running Chrysler are lunatics.

[Butterfly Mage]

So... Chrysler is borrowing from another's company's talent while shelving its own innovation. That's a real shock.

[xcel]

Hi Gordon:

With your recent drive of the Ford Ka which uses the same underpinnings of the 500, how in the heck is that going to make a dent over here? I have not read a good review of the Ka yet and if the 500 is "as bad", the US consumer will be looking at the Fiesta, Yaris and Fit contingent well before 5,000 500's are sold.

It will be Fiat's upcoming mid-size lineup that will save Chrysler but I still have to wonder if Chrysler had a 60% fleet sales month again in July. Fleet sales mean giveaways and totally trashed resale let alone their lineup is underwhelming to put it lightly over here.

Wayne