Chrysler exec says all its vehicles will be hybrids
Chrysler president Jim Press saw what hybrid technology did for Toyota, and now the 37-year auto industry vet wants to repeat that success with the Pentastar brands. Press informed attendees at a seminar in New York recently that Chrysler would one day utilize hybrid power in each and every Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep. Of course, the charismatic exec had no timetable for Chrysler's full immersion into the land of hybrid hyperbole, but we would guess that kindergarteners may be ready for college by the time this happens. Before Press finished, he also mentioned an intention to sell as many Chryslers in other markets as the Auburn Hills-based company sells in the States.
While it's easy to kick Chrysler when it's down, the privately-owned company has to aim high or it won't have much of a chance. From the day Press entered Chrysler's hallowed halls, he's had a consistent message that the company would have plenty of alternative powertrains for its vehicles. Maybe we'll see Press one day driving down Woodward in a Dodge Zeo. OK, probably not.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John 1:11PM (3/01/2008)
Dodge already advertised a hybrid Charger last year. However, their claim was it burned gas and rubber.
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Stealth E34 1:13PM (3/01/2008)
Chrysler has a heck of a lot of work to do. My parents' 2006 PT Cruiser is averaging 17mpg... that's a 2.4L 4-cylinder by the way.
Good luck Jim, good luck.
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Kristovar 2:25PM (3/01/2008)
The 2.4L in that PT Cruiser is shockingly bad for mileage- I had one for a rental a little over a year ago and got the same kind of MPG. Meanwhile the 2.4L in my SRT-4 averages 25 MPG.
phewop118 2:29PM (3/01/2008)
Looks like I'm never going to buy a Chrysler in the future, not that I ever wouldve anyway.
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N 1:26PM (3/01/2008)
Is it me, or does this concept look an awful lot like one of the saab concepts that has been floating about recently?
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Torrent 2:20PM (3/01/2008)
Now that you point it out, it does kinda looks like the Saab AeroX.
letstakeawalk 3:31PM (3/01/2008)
Reminds me of the Citroen 308 RC Z concept
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/peugeot-asks-parlez-vous-tt-with-308-rc-z-coupe-concept/
geo.stewart 1:26PM (3/01/2008)
so, with no timetable, are we to assume that will happen the same time that every other mftr makes it happen?
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Dave 1:37PM (3/01/2008)
Chrysler is a partner in the GM derived dual mode technology.
The RWD version is ready.
And GM is about to introduce the FWD version in the Vue.
The limiting factor is not the technology or the willingness of manufacturers to produce it. It is the willingness of consumers to pay for it.
Zeyad Bakri 1:38PM (3/01/2008)
i'm really starting to hate Dodge...
first , killing of the viper...
and now making hybrids...
the only thing that's keeping me cool with dodge is the Challenger!!
please dodge , dont listen to saftey departments . Do some proper cars for petrolheads .
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Moe 1:54PM (3/01/2008)
I think it's more important for Chrysler to get back on its feet before it starts making enthusiast-oriented models. If that doesn't happen, we won't have a Chrysler group to bitch at sooner or later.
the friendly grizzly 4:49PM (3/01/2008)
Yeah! The next thing you know, they're gonna drop Fluid Drive! Oh, that's right: they did. It is called changing times for a changing market. Not busting your chops here, just pointing out that market shifts take place.
Jonathan 1:55PM (3/01/2008)
If Chrysler wants all of its vehicles to have a hybrid option, they need to exclude the Dodge Viper, Challenger, Dakota, and Nitro, Chrysler Sebring convertible, & all Jeeps except Patriot and Compass. It would not be a good idea to offer a hybrid option for those vehicles.
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'94 Impala SS 1:56PM (3/01/2008)
Bunch of Facking Morons!
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Throwback 1:58PM (3/01/2008)
Well, the status quo certainly wont work.
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Sean 2:06PM (3/01/2008)
Chrysler already has the Hemi Hybrid in the Durango. You could put one in the Charger and the 300. They are also going to employ "stop and go" hybrids as well.
Chrysler HAS to do this thanks to CAFE regs. The Challenger is going to be the Halo Gearhead car. The Charger will also be there.
70% of vehicle buyers are "appliance buyers" not enthusiasts...unfortunately.
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Torrent 2:22PM (3/01/2008)
Chrysler is too desperate.
Chrysler sucks.
They killed the Viper.
Chrysler sucks.
They won't make the Chrysler Firepower, Imperial or the Nassau.
Chrysler sucks.
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yankee 2:45PM (3/01/2008)
Hell they can even get a jeep over 20 mpg
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cameron42985 3:27PM (3/01/2008)
Talk about a last ditch effort to revitalize a broken brand.
And what's all this hatetalk over hybrids and electrics? They're F$%#in fast if you want them to be. Calm down children.
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TwinTurbo3000GT 8:45AM (3/02/2008)
no, they're not. The viper was fast. How many sub 5-second 0-60 hybrids are there that are under 100k like the viper?