Chrysler’s vice chairman, Jim Press, has revealed that the automaker plans to offer an alternative-fuel version of every model it produces. Press, a former executive of Toyota, says the move to alternative fuels is in an effort to shrink the gap in green vehicle technology between Chrysler and Toyota and Honda.
Press continued by saying that Chrysler will offer both hybrid and diesel alternative fuel options. “Every car will be impacted by advances in powertrain,” Press said in an interview with The Detroit News. “Plug-in hybrid, diesel hybrid, fuel-cell hybrid, a petrol hybrid, they’re all in the mix.”
Press failed to give a time frame for the alternate fuel vehicles.
According to The Detroit News, Cerberus has an open checkbook for developing greener technologies. “Cerberus has opened up the wallet to make (capital expenditures) especially in the area of product development and technology,” Press said.
Chrysler’s sales have been hurt by a portfolio consisting of mostly fuel-thirsty trucks and SUVs. The automaker’s first hybrid vehicles aren’t slated to hit the market until 2008.
10/02, 8:36 AM
posted by:
autonut
Is this how they plan to sell more cars?
10/02, 8:44 AM
posted by:
67_L-88
Finally some good news from chrysler. I fail to see how an alternative fuel viper would work. Unless it was E85..
10/02, 8:56 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
About damn time, Chrysler. I’d like to see Diesel options in most vehicles they have to offer, and not just the RAM.
10/02, 9:24 AM
posted by:
Commodore
Yeah, about 75% of the vehicles Chrysler sells are trucks. And as the truck market shrinks, so do their sales. Hybrids are good to get that green image, but they should use those R&D dollars on simply making better cars.
10/02, 9:50 AM
posted by:
Cire
This is just one area that Chrysler needs to pursue. They also need to pursue upgraded interiors and attractive exterior designs as well as repositioning their brands to make them relevant. Cerberus has their hands full with Chrysler LLC, but it appears as though they are serious about fixing this car company. It’s just going to take some time to see the results.
10/02, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Jazz
Go Chrysler!! Now that Wall Street is not poking around maybe they can make the tough decisions to save the company.
10/02, 11:03 AM
posted by:
Commodore
“It’s just going to take some time to see the results.” – Exactly
10/02, 11:35 AM
posted by:
Mar Solo
Follow through Chrysler, follow through.
10/02, 1:23 PM
posted by:
LP640
Whats the alternative fuel Chrysler are working on? Feaces
10/02, 1:46 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
The fluxcapacitor!!!
10/02, 8:55 PM
posted by:
Catiauser
trust me, the current situation at chrysler is dire.
The interiors will not be going up in quality, they will most probably go down, the pressure to cut costs is enormous, unfortunately the senior management only get their 150% bonus’ if they cut costs.There are now more staff to cut costs than there are trying to engineer a decent product.
A decent diesel engine mated to a good manual gearbox would see the companies average fuel economy go through the roof, except that the management seem to hate anything new.
10/02, 9:45 PM
posted by:
Elvio
Ok…they still need to design better cars though. Many of the car from Chrysler sucked!!!
10/03, 8:21 AM
posted by:
Deanster
The Wrangler fanatics have been screaming for a diesel for 10 years.