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Chrysler's Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid are apparently destined to become a tiny footnote in the annals of automotive history, as Chrysler has announced the closure of the Newark Assembly Plant that builds the SUVs effective December 31. The plant was already operating on one shift, but the closure will still result in about 1,000 jobs lost and the temporary exit of Chrysler from the full-size SUV market, not to mention the premature death of Auburn Hills' version of the two-mode hybrid. So is this Chrysler sloughing off more detritus in preparation for a sale? After all, those hybrids would have conflicted with the Yukon and Tahoe hybrids in any merger with GM. [ Detroit News ]
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The 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and the 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid , the first hybrids from the penta-star brand, are finally rolling off the lines in Newark, Delaware. With its two-mode hybrid system and cylinder deactivation capability reigning in the big 5.7-liter HEMI engine, the hybrid twins are expected to return a 25% increase in fuel economy, up to 19 MPG city, 20 highway. Yes, even though they've been hybridized, they can still tow 6,000 pounds, along with all your rugrats and their junk. We suspect the market for these vehicles will be pretty strong, and sales may swell into the hundreds. [ MotorAuthority ]
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Have you been greenwashed convinced into thinking you can drive a big SUV and still do your part for the environment? Chrysler says you'll be saving big bucks driving an Aspen or Durango Hybrid over a "competitive vehicle" from GM. "$8,000 below the competition," they crow. But wait, GM doesn't make a 7-seat hybrid Trailblazer or Envoy. So what Chrysler is really referring to as the competition are the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrid twins. Ok, so technically the Durango/Aspen and Tahoe/Yukon are both classified as full-size SUVs, but doesn't it go without saying that a Tahoe is going to cost more than a Durango? What's more, the Tahoe Hybrid starts at $49,590 while the Durango Hybrid starts at $44,540; hardly the $8,000 difference Chrysler's advertising. An apples-to-apples comparison requires careful examination of the fine print. Prospective buyers have to compare pricing between the more-expensive and less-efficient 4WD models, because Chrysler...
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GE's looking to play with some new hybrid battery technology in the automotive space, so what better man for them to reach out to than former GE executive Bob "The Builder" Nardelli — the current CEO of Chrysler? That's exactly who the company all about the light bulbs and bringing good things to life is reaching out to. According to Automotive News GE's teaming up with Chrysler on a project to demonstrate a technology they're calling a "dual-battery energy storage system." What this one-time project means, after the jump. Our take is that although a one-time team-up may be fun, GE's got a lot of expertise in batteries, drivetrains and power electronic controls — so the real fortunes and glory for Jeff Immelt's mega-company will come from being able to pivot this one-time project into a contract for supplying components for plug-in hybrid vehicles. But regardless of what company provides the technology, one thing that's clear is...
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Here's a question for you: how do you feel about a hybrid Hemi? Somebody please answer for Danio as I know his head just popped. With the electric motor, both vehicles can summon up 385 horsepower. No mention of torque (either at the reveal or in the press release ) but both "two-mode" big 'ol hybrid boys showed up towing toys. The Chrysler got a horse trailer while the Dodge had a boat. ChryslerCerebusDodge is claiming that gas mileage in the city will be up by 40% while highway numbers will improve by 25%. The actual numbers? ChryslerCerebusDodge didn't say, which of course reminds me of an old Simpsons bit. "Each newspaper contains a certain percent of recycled paper." To which Lisa asks, "What percent is that?" The answer, "Zero. Zero's a percent." galleryPost('chryslerhybrids', 8, 'Hemi Hybrids');
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Chrysler 's Jim Press says his company plans to offer an alternative-fuel powertrain option in every model it sells. Press told the Detroit News diesel , plug-in, fuel-cell and gas-electric hybrids could all be used to backfill Chrysler's lineup with environmentally friendly alternatives. The vice chairman of Chrysler says the company's commitment to green technologies comes from the top -- new owner Cerberus Capital Management, whose financial boffins probably have figured to the tenth of a cent what a greener image would sell for. Despite such lofty goals, Chrysler has a long way to go before it'll be known as a green automaker. Of the Big Six, Chrysler is the only company without a hybrid on the market right now. The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango will be the company's first hybrids when they arrive in 2008, using a two-mode hybrid system mated to the 5.7-liter Hemi. And yes, as we told you first earlier this summer -- it's called the " HemiHybrid ." [ The Detroit News ]
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