Chrysler is in the process of setting up an engineering division to design and build electric and hybrid vehicles. Called ENVI, the new division will setup shop at Chrysler’s headquarters near Detroit and will be headed by Lou Rhodes, a Chrysler veteran who has worked in the company’s advanced vehicle engineering organization and product design office.
“The creation of ENVI allows us to focus on the development of a new generation of environmentally responsible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles,” Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli said in a statement today.
Chrysler says ENVI will be staffed with specialists in engineering, manufacturing, procurement and supply.
According to Automotive News, Chrysler will debut its first hybrids — the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen — in 2009. Both vehicles will use a transmission developed with General Motors and BMW.
09/13, 12:29 PM
posted by:
WOOKIE62
Unbeliveable!!! 15 min have gone by and no one has unloaded on Chrysler yet? Everybody must have gone to lunch and broke down in thier Ford and GM vehicles!!
09/13, 12:35 PM
posted by:
jonnycat
They’re only a few years behind. This was “exciting” news years ago
09/13, 12:44 PM
posted by:
autonut
Nothing new: Iaccoca started golf cart company long time ago. Actually right after he parted with Chrysler. I don’t remember if his carts had quality issues as well as his/Chrysler cars.
09/13, 12:47 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
What the hell does ENVI stand for? Environment and vehicle’s probably in there somewhere.
Regardless, jonnycat’s right, Chrysler’s late to the party with this announcement.
Still, *affordable* hybrid technology is the quickest way to reduce dependance on foreign oil in the near term. Mainstream biofuels (ones that don’t eat into food supply and other ag markets), fuel cells, etc., they’re still a ways off.
09/13, 12:49 PM
posted by:
driver54
Who cares, Chrysler and their POS cars won’t be with us much longer. Nobody drives POS Chryslers because everyone knows that GM is the best car company in the world. Sorry, I was channeling another LLN dipsh*t poster. I think it’s a good idea even if it is late to the party.
09/13, 2:38 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
They can call their first hybrid model the new Reliant or maybe a neon or breeze
Chrysler sucks just like Ford and GM. DIE!
09/13, 2:49 PM
posted by:
CarStar
Chrysler already has an Electric Vehicle subsidiary
called Global Electric Motorcars or “GEM” for short.
How does this factor into the new division??? (See
http://www.gem.car)
09/13, 4:02 PM
posted by:
CarLord
I think its a good idea if they can design produce and release products that American buyers will want to own. Fuel savings is always a hit, but it needs to be practical, priced rite and most of all it must compete well with its competitors in design, and material fit and finish. Something they have not been doing very well on lately. Ah yes and Gemcar.com is golf carts, enough said.
09/13, 7:55 PM
posted by:
Commodore
This is kinda a joke because their “dedicated new division” will premiere its first vehicles in 2009 and they are basically GM’s technology put into Chrysler’s fullsize SUVs
09/14, 3:58 AM
posted by:
MY Si
Very Interesting…………………..BUT STUPID!
09/14, 3:11 PM
posted by:
rompn4x
Id rather see Mercedes die…Bunch of gas guzzling unreliable pieces of **** id take a Chrysler over one any day.
09/15, 3:33 PM
posted by:
BLISS
GOOD…..KEEP GOING.