Chrysler ecoVoyager

The Concept: As electric cars continue to gain popularity in the States, Chrysler aims to stay ahead of the pack with its ecoVoyager concept car. Designed for a trip that's on par with a private jet, the car reaches a top speed of 150 mph, going from 0 to 60 in 8.8 seconds, and with a driving range of 300 mpg. 

Principal Exterior Designer, Greg Howell, combines luxury and innovative design in an attempt to look ten years into the future. The ecoVoyager's one box design scheme is simplistic yet bold. Sporting a panoramic glass roof and doors that open at a generous 90 degrees, the ecoVoyager is a testament to the beauty and elegance synonymous with the Chrysler brand. 

In an attempt to bring more Chrysler cues to the car, the windows, front grille, taillamps, and headlamps are modeled after the trademark Chrysler logo. The interior of the car is just as impressive as its exterior, featuring four individual chairs capable of heat and massage, and the Direct Sound function, which allows all users to hear the music of their choice sans headphones, without disturbing other passengers. 

Coolest Feature: Besides its polar ice paint job, the coolest feature on the ecoVoyager is its electric motor. Capable of developing 200 kilowatts or 268 horsepower, the ecoVoyager can go from 0 to 60 in less than 8 seconds. 

The ecoVoyager also has a range extender in the form of an advanced hydrogen fuel cell that increases the car's range to more than 300 miles. The braking system also captures energy that would be lost, returning it to the battery. Together with its low emissions (water vapor), this makes the vehicle a boon for design conscious environmentalists. 

Demographic: As a luxury vehicle, the ecoVoyager might be out of range for the average car buyer. Described by design director Lance Wagner as a "mature vehicle," expect to see young at heart baby-boomers and the financially well off behind the wheel of this stunner. 

WSJ: Chrysler And Nissan Discussing Mid-Size Car Collaboration

While we've previously reported on the Chrysler/Nissan small-car/pickup-truck mind meld, the Wall Street Journal now says the two companies are discussing collaboration on a mid-size vehicle platform. The report states that the agreement currently under consideration would have Nissan building mid-size sedans that Chrysler would then market under its own nameplate in the US. There's no specific mention of a platform or nameplate likely to be used, but it's not hard to speculate that the much-maligned Sebring could be replaced by the end result of such a collaboration.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: Anyone complaining about Chrysler's lack of upcoming models isn't paying attention to the news. The company appears to be actively seeking tie-ups, particularly with Nissan, that will provide it with fresh new vehicles without having to actually engineer and build them. It's as if Chrysler is moving toward a future as a vehicle marketing company rather than an actual auto manufacturer. In the meantime, talk about six degrees of separation: This news means that through Nissan, via its French linkage, Chrysler will be once again be selling rebadged Renaults in the states. All you Dodge Monaco/Eagle Premier fan boys rejoice: Your ship has come in. In fact, we're now only one step away from reverse-engineering the entire US auto industry back to about 1986, so expect the new 2010 AMC lineup to be announced early next year.

Chrysler Execs: Nine new models can be expected by 2010, Volt fighter included

A "product renaissance" consisting of up to nine new vehicles is to be expected at Chrysler in two years time, according to company executives, and included in the yet undetermined bunch is an electric powered car set to compete directly with the upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Volt.

During a tour of California last week, Chrysler president and vice chairman Jim Press once again outlined the automaker's focus on transitioning its product portfolio from minivans, trucks and SUVs to smaller, fuel-efficient cars. By 2010, the Chrysler executive believes the American economy will once again pick up steam and the nation's third largest automaker will be prepared to sell seven new gas-sipping models. 

Although the Chrysler team is optimistic, the reality is the automaker is facing a 24% drop in sales so far this year and massive production cuts that has led to the laying off of thousands of employees. Many industry insiders and credit rating firms predict the automaker has enough financial power to only put out five new vehicles at the most. Eric Merkle, an analyst for Crowe Chizek and Co. believes a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge midsize SUV (possibly named the Durango), Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and a small Nissan-built car will come our way by 2010. 

"For our company, we're going to have a product renaissance in 2010 ... just as the market is coming back," Press stated last week. "We're not on the ropes. We're not worried."

Prior to Press's model outlook, leading Chrysler procurement officer John Campi stated the automaker will launch eight or nine all-new models in two years. The exact number of models fluctuates due to each executive's definition of what a new model truly is. 

At the press conference held in San Francisco, Press further mentioned the successful development of three new electric powered vehicles that have been shown to select dealerships nationwide in "post-prototype" form. Executives wanted to secretly show them off in order to prove its in-house technology department ENVI is indeed capable of producing a "pure electric, a plug-in electric and a range-extended vehicle." Press added they are currently "evaluating all three of those concepts."

Why we haven't seen, let alone heard, much of anything concerning the advanced concepts comes down to money, Press said. 

"We don't have enough money for a PR stunt. All we have is enough money to build a car that we can sell," Press stated. "It's a little different philosophy. We don't have enough money to talk about what we're going to sell in the next five years. But we will be able to show you soon what we're going to be selling in the next couple of years. We're going to be able to achieve some breakthroughs in adapting technology."

Chrysler Stuns Auto World with Four New Electric Cars

Just one day after reports that Chrysler was preparing a competitor for the Chevy Volt, the company sucked the air out of the automotive press with a highly unusual move this morning. The imperiled Detroit automaker, long thought to be behind its rivals in developing fuel-efficient cars, used an appearance on CNBC to unveil four new electric vehicles that had been developed, according to CEO Bob Nardelli, "in relative secrecy." While most automakers have gone out of their way to generate publicity for their green vehicle efforts in recent years, privately-owned Chrysler had kept these vehicles under wraps until this morning. The vehicles appear relatively close to production-ready, and could change the landscape of the automotive industry.

In a video of the reveal posted on the CNBC website, Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda tells CNBC's Phil LeBeau the vehicles could be "out in use in some fleets" in 2009. Asked when they might reach mass-production for sale in Chrysler showrooms, he replied, "We're ready to go in '11."

The vehicles included a pair of extended-range electric vehicles that Chrysler executives claimed could travel 40 miles under electric power alone before a 1-liter gasoline engine kicks in, much like Chevy's heavily-hyped 2010 Volt. One was an unnamed Chrysler minivan, the other a four-door Jeep Wrangler. While Chevy has not allowed the press to drive the Volt and says the powertrain isn't ready, CNBC's LeBeau was allowed to drive the Wrangler EV on a Chrysler test track.

Perhaps the most impressive of the vehicles, however, was a purely electric sports car called the Dodge EV. Jalopnik reports that the EV "has similar performance numbers," and "some striking visual similarities with" the Tesla high-performance electric Roadster. Officials claim the EV accelerates from zero to sixty miles per hour in under five seconds, charges off of a standard household outlet, and has a range of 150 to 200 miles on each charge.

Lastly, Chrysler officials showed a "neighborhood vehicle" known as "the peapod," which resembled the GEM electric cars Chrysler has sold in retirement communities for several years. No details on the peapod were offered. GEM cars have a top speed of 25 miles per hour and generally cost about $6,000 to $9,000 dollars.

Chrysler officials did not reveal pricing details on any of the vehicles. Asked about pricing in the video, CEO Nardelli said only "we're sensitive to that," and pointed to a proposal before Congress asking for $25 billion in loans to help the auto industry produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Autoblog expects these cars to be used in pushing Congress to approve the loans. "Look for all three prototypes to head to D.C., where they'll be showcased for Congressional leaders who have a say in whether or not Washington will show Detroit the money they've been asking for," they write.

Chrysler unveils its Dynamic GEM Peapod electric car, could hit roads by 2009

Along with an electric sports car, minivan and Jeep, today Chrysler also unveiled a new all-electric car from their GEM subsidiary called the Peapod. The Peapod is first of a new generation of GEM electric vehicles that will be more user-friendly and more efficient.

"We have evolved the GEM design language to better reflect its eco-friendly performance and its upbeat, positive image," said Peter Arnell, Chrysler's Chief Innovation Officer who led the design process. "These vehicles use no gasoline and emit no pollutants. So whether it's a trip around the neighborhood or the drive to school or work, the GEM Peapod is the ideal way to contribute to a greener planet, and a healthy lifestyle."

Unlike some past GEM vehicles, the Peapod is fully enclosed and designed to be more aerodynamic. Chrysler hasn't released any details about the Peapod's range or any new battery technology it may incorporate, but it's likely it will be an improvement over previous models. Chrysler has released some information about the driver comforts, though. The Peapod will have a built-in interface in the dash for your iPod or iPhone and will interface with the iPhone for hands-free calling. The seats will be made from a mesh material to allow better air circulation and will be made from eco-friendly and recycled materials. 

GEM hopes to have the Peapod into production in 2009, and will follow it with more new models. For now, future plans include an electric light-duty commercial truck and a large city electric car with more range and performance, both of which GEM hopes to get into production next year along with the Peapod. 

Chrysler also announced today that the GEM name will be changed from Global Electric Motors to GreenEcoMobility, in what appears to be an obvious marketing stunt to cash in on environmentally-friendly buzzwords.

The Next Dodge Viper Will Be Electric

After 16 years as the iconic pinnacle of Chrysler's lineup, the Dodge Viper is being toppled by a car with a cord. A source inside the company has indicated that the 600-horsepower coupe could be replaced by the Tesla-like electric sports car Chrysler unveiled Tuesday.

"You saw the picture of the EV we announced," says the source, who spoke to Wired.com on condition of anonymity. "That's the direction Chrysler is going."

For all its performance, the Viper is an anachronism. It was borne of the idea that bigger is better, and that's been enough to keep the Viper going since its introduction in 1992. But it's an increasingly difficult idea to sell in an era of $4-a-gallon gasoline and global warming, and Chrysler says it's time to move on. Even if the company wasn't looking to sell the Viper line, the supercar's days were numbered.

"The definition of sports car is changing," our source says. "People are looking at things differently now. The Viper was a throwback to the golden era of sports cars. It was all about big horsepower and small chassis. It's time for that to change."

That's not to say Chrysler's going soft.

The as-yet-unnamed Dodge EV is based on the Lotus Europa that rolls into European showrooms next month. In fact, the car Chrysler unveiled looked like a re-badged Europa with racing stripes. Specs call for a 200 kilowatt (268 horsepower) electric motor producing 480 pound-feet of torque -- just 80 less than the Viper's 8.4-liter V10. The goal is 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds and a top speed above 120 mph. "We're still going to offer products that are visceral," our source tells us.

Although those figures fall well short of the Viper -- which hits 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and tops out at 202 mph in base-model trim -- they put the car in Tesla's neighborhood, and possibly for much less than the $100K the Roadster goes for. "It'll out-Tesla the Tesla," says Aaron Bragman, an industry analyst with Global Insight, who predicts we'll see the Dodge EV by the end of 2010. "It's a new halo performance vehicle for Chrysler." And it even looks good in Viper green, as our Photoshopped version of Chrysler's pic shows.

Of course, Chrysler's still gotta build it. Anyone can produce one EV; it's making a lot of them that's tricky, and Chrysler's future is anything but assured. Some industry watchers were privately speculating that it could be chopped up and sold off as early as next year. After all, the company's selling just three cars per month per dealership and it's reportedly lost $400 million this year. "With those kinds of numbers, what can they do to hold on until 2010?," Bragman asks.

Chrysler shows off concept cars, battery powered vehicles

Chrysler President and Vice Chairman Jim Press, left, and Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President - Product Development, introduces Chrysler 200C EV concept car at the North American International Auto Show Sunday in Detroit. 

DETROIT -- Chrysler LLC, the company with arguably the most to prove at this year's North American International Auto Show, unveiled some concept cars Sunday that it has no immediate plans to produce. 
The highlight was the Chrysler 200C, an attractive luxury sedan featuring interior electronics that would let consumers search traffic cameras in real time to scope out upcoming intersections, let drivers download and buy music via the Internet and help users keep track of friends who might be nearby. 

In other words, they showed off a classic concept car -- a vehicle loaded with features that are nowhere near ready for production and may never serve a practical purpose.

The company also showed off a handful of vehicles that it showed off at auto shows and press events last year. Plug-in hybrid versions of the Jeep Patriot sport utility vehicle, Chrysler Town & Country minivan, a Dodge two-seat sports car and the Jeep Wrangler were all on display. The vehicles are all set to get 40 miles of electric-only range from battery power before using small gasoline-powered motors.

But unlike General Motors, which has committed to building the Chevrolet Volt that promises similar performance numbers, Chrysler has yet to commit to actually building any of the Chrysler electric vehicles. Executives said it would produce an electric vehicle some time next year, but it hasn't said which one, when or if it will be a battery powered car or a plug-in hybrid.

Chrysler President Jim Press said the new vehicles show what the company plans to offer the American public in the future. He added that taxpayers and the company share a special bond now that Chrysler is holding $4 billion in emergency federal loans.

But the company did little to address concerns over its near-future product lineup. While its minivans and pickups have been well received, the company's mid-sized sedans don't sell well, its compact cars are larger and less fuel efficient than any of its competitors and it sells fewer cars in a year than its top competitors do in a month.

While officials clearly stated that the 200C was only a concept, they hinted that some version of it may be on the road sooner, rather than later. Unlike most concept cars, it looked like something that could be in a dealer showroom tomorrow, not a futuristic exercise in weird shapes and ugly styling.

Ralph Giles, Chrysler's lead North American designer, called the 200C "a concept that's heavily influenced by reality."

When asked during an interview following the show launch why the car did not feature a Jetson's-like exterior to go with its tech-heavy interior, Giles said the concept car was closer to a production model than most show cars, "and I'll leave it to you to decide if that means we want to build it soon."

US Market plunge on Gm-Chrysler bankruptcy fears, Obama tough

US president Barack Obama and his auto task force team have taken a tough stance against GM and Chrysler, warning that bankruptcy may be the only option for the troubled US car makers.

The Obama adminsitration was scathing of the turnaround plans of the two companies, saying that they weren’t extensive enough to justify the extra government money.

“While Chrysler GM are very different companies with very different paths forward, both need a fresh start to implement the restructuring plans they develop,” Obama said on Monday. “That may mean using our bankruptcy code as a mechanism to help them restructure quickly and emerge stronger.”
He reassured US workers by insisting, “We cannot, we must not and we will not let our auto industry simply vanish.” This apparent message of support for the US car industry implies that part of the aim of Obama’s tough stance is to jolt the United Auto Workers union and the GM bondholders - who have been fighting over possible concessions to GM workers’ pension rights - into reaching an agreement.

Some analysts fear, however, that even a court-supervised bankruptcy for GM and Chrysler would cost up to a third of the three million remaining US car industry jobs - a sector that has already shed 400,000 posts over the past year.

Obama also attempted to reassure US car buyers, saying that the government would honour Chrysler and GM warranties. AS US car buying reached a 30-year low, the president also announced plans to offer a trade-in incentive of up to $5000 (£3500) for older and less fuel-efficient vehicles, following the lead of successful similar schemes in some European countries.

Chrysler developing electric sports car for 2010

Dodge Circuit, a two-seat roadster, could be Chrysler's first step into electric cars, provided the company survives.

A battery-powered 268-horsepower two-seat sports car is in line to become Chrysler LLC's first electric car, provided the carmaker lives to see another day.

To survive, help is needed from Italy's Fiat but, as negotiations with the Italian automaker bog down and the two week deadline to hammer out a partnership approaches, the company's future - as well as its aspirations for an electric hot rod - are increasingly in doubt.

Chrysler's first electric car, set to be introduced late next year around the same time as General Motors' Chevrolet Volt, will be a sports car with a zero-to-60 time of under five seconds and a top speed of 120 miles per hour. 
Following that, according Chrysler's filings, will come electric-powered cars, SUVs and crossovers, some based on Fiat vehicles, according to the "viability plan" Chrysler submitted to the Treasury Department.

While Chrysler has still not officially announced any of these details, the carmaker's viability plan listed an "EV Roadster" as a future product for 2010. That would be the Dodge Circuit, a car that Chrysler unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January and which is now prominently displayed at the New York Auto Show.

he Circuit will be a purely plug-in car - there will be no gas tank or gasoline engine at all - with an expected range of 150 to 200 miles on a full charge. Power will come from a 200 kilowatt, or 268 horsepower, electric motor.

"This vehicle is so light it doesn't even require power steering," said Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa.

Cappa would not comment on how closely Chrysler will adhere to the plan laid out in the government filing, so he could not confirm that the Circuit will be the first Chrysler electric car. Executives insist the program is on track, generally speaking, and Chrysler will be ready to produce cars on time.

"To be able to meet a 2010 timeline, you have to be pretty far along in development, and right now we are," said Lou Rhodes, head of Chrysler's electric car program, in a recent CNNMoney.com interview.

The Circuit is similar to the Tesla Roadster, a $109,000 sports car produced by a small California company. Pricing for the Circuit has not been announced but will likely undercut the Tesla.

Meeting fuel efficiency standards

Besides the obvious public relations value - and there will be a ton of that - electric cars like the Circuit could help Chrysler meet stricter fuel economy standards. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules are, as the name implies, based on an average fuel economy of all the vehicles a manufacturer sells. A few electric cars added to the mix will really boost that average, making things easier on the gasoline-powered side of the ledger.

In its March 30 "Determination of Viability," the Treasury Dept. said that Chrysler "will struggle to meet proposed fuel-efficiency standards." These electric cars will go a long way to solving that problem, said Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa.

"What we have, going forward, is a plan that will meet our CAFE needs without an issue," he said.

The carmaker recently announced a deal with battery maker A123 Systems to manufacture lithium-ion battery packs for the full line of electric-powered cars Chrysler hopes to make. The plan is to produce the battery packs as modules that can be easily combined and arranged for different uses in a variety of vehicles.

In total, Chrysler plans to come out with 5 electric car models by 2012. Some will be electric-only, others will be extended-range vehicles in which a gasoline engine will generate electricity on board after about 40 miles of driving on a fully charged battery. They will also differ greatly in terms of vehicle type. Possibilities include a minivan and an Jeep Wrangler-like off-roader.

A performance vehicle like the Circuit is about more than just fun, insisted Cappa. It's part of a strategy to cover a variety of market needs with electric vehicles built around a common, flexible battery technology.

The key component is a stackable battery pack that can be combined like building blocks to create larger or smaller battery packs of different shapes depending on need.

"The whole idea is that this is technology you can adapt to any existing niche," he said.

Leaning on Fiat

Some of these electric vehicles will be based on Fiat products. A Fiat-based battery powered small car is slated for production shortly after the Circuit, according to Chrysler's viability plan.

Further out, a Fiat-based extended range electric compact SUV - which will also be offered as a gasoline-powered vehicle - is planned for early 2012. Other Fiat/Chrysler hybrid and electric cars and SUVs are planned after that.

Despite the ambitious nature of Chrysler's program and the number of models involved, it might be too little, too late under even the best of circumstances, said industry analyst Bill Pochiluk of Automotive Compass LLC.

By the time these cars hit the market, General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) will be in production with the Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car and Ford (F, Fortune 500) will have its own plug-only compact car. They will also compete against new hybrids from Ford, Toyota (TM) and Honda (HMC), which are entering the market now.

Chrysler declares itself bankrupt

Hedge funds refuse to countenance $2bn payoff to settle debt

Obama condemns actions of 'small group of speculators'
11th-hour Fiat deal fails to save carmaker

America's third-largest car manufacturer, Chrysler, has declared itself bankrupt after a handful of creditors withstood pressure from the Obama administration to forgive billions of dollars in debt, casting a cloud of uncertainty over tens of thousands of jobs at factories, suppliers and dealers.

After round-the-clock negotiations broke down, the 83-year-old Detroit carmaker put its future in the hands of the courts, despite an 11th-hour deal with Italy's Fiat to pool technology in building new vehicles.

Both the White House and Chrysler expressed hope for a "surgical" bankruptcy lasting 30 to 60 days, clearing the company's liabilities and allowing it to emerge in healthy shape. But legal experts questioned whether this will be achievable and factory workers expressed fear for their jobs.

Although unions and Chrysler's leading banks accepted a rescue package brokered by the US treasury to swap Chrysler's liabilities for shares in the business, a group of hedge and investment funds refused to countenance a clause in which Chrysler's $6.9bn (£4.6bn) of debt would be cancelled through a cash payment of just $2bn.

Speaking at the White House, President Barack Obama made clear his anger towards the hold-outs: "While many stakeholders made sacrifices and worked constructively, I have to tell you that some did not. A group of hedge funds and investment funds decided to hold out for an unjustified taxpayer bailout."

He said it was "unacceptable" for a "small group of speculators" to endanger Chrysler's future. But he expressed optimism that Chrysler, which makes brands including Jeep and Dodge, could be restructured through a bankruptcy filing: "This is not a sign of weakness, but rather one more step on a clearly charted path towards revival."

Chrysler employs 54,000 people, but tens of thousands more work for parts companies and in motor dealerships that depend on the firm for business. About 115,000 retired Chrysler workers depend on the company for healthcare and benefits.
Damage to brand
Renowned for popularising the minivan, and for its robust sports-utility vehicles and pick-up trucks, Chrysler has struggled even more than its loss-making competitors, General Motors and Ford, to adapt to demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. The US economic downturn and the credit crunch, which has frozen banks' funding for car purchase loans, sealed its fate.

Chrysler's chief executive, Robert Nardelli, described bankruptcy as a "bittersweet moment", but insisted that a filing for chapter 11 protection would ultimately "breathe new life" into the company. "It's something that will allow us to emerge in a much leaner fashion," said Nardelli, who announced that he would step down when Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy. "We'll be able to leave some assets behind, some liabilities behind, some debt behind."

The US treasury, which has already provided $4bn of emergency loans to the car company, will extend up to $8bn of aid to help it through bankruptcy. Further money will come from the Canadian government.

Although the US government says it will stand behind Chrysler warranties, analysts fear that a stigma attached to bankruptcy will deter car buyers. Brian Bethune, US economist at IHS Global Insight, said: "Bankruptcy will damage the Chrysler brand and that is regrettable. The government has to think carefully about how long they can bleed Chrysler out."

Under the US government's preferred deal, the United Auto Workers union was to take a 55% stake in Chrysler in lieu of cash owed to a healthcare fund. Fiat was to receive 35% for lending its expertise on European-style smaller cars. The Italian manufacturer has committed to build a car at Chrysler's factories and to share distribution networks.

Top banks, including JP Morgan, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, agreed to write off two-thirds of Chrysler's debt, but a minority of the 46 creditors refused, arguing that trade unions and taxpayers were getting preferential treatment for political motives.

In a statement, the hold-outs, who include Oppenheimer Funds, Perella Weinberg Partners and Stairway Capital said that in its "earnest effort" to secure Chrysler's survival, the government "risked overturning the rule of law and practices that have governed our world-leading bankruptcy code for decades".

On the factory floor, Chrysler's bankruptcy was greeted with despondency. George Windau, a millwright at the company's Jeep factory in Toledo, Ohio, said employees felt their sacrifices in wages and benefits had led to nothing.

"We feel very betrayed," said Windau. "We feel lied to and it goes without saying that we're nervous and upset. The main concern is for the retirees – they're the most vulnerable part of this situation."

A bankruptcy court can force creditors to accept a settlement. But a judge will be obliged to consider alternative proposals from stakeholders, risking a lengthy dispute. The court will also have the power to shred Chrysler's contractual commitments to suppliers and dealers.

Stunning Dodge Viper SRT10 Will Live On

Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Conner Avenue Assembly Plant -- the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 -- will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.

"The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe," said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. "We're extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand." 
Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.

The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.

In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a "go."

Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.

For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.

To date, more than 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built.
About Chrysler Group LLC 
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge, Mopar(R) and Global Electric Motors (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler's culture of innovation - first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 - and Fiat's complementary technology - from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

About Dodge
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and a sales-leading, fifth-generation minivan in 2009. Dodge will soon add to its award-winning Ram lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks.

Dodge introduced several new vehicles last year, including the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel economy. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is also the first minivan in the segment to feature the all-new Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advance safety systems.


Also in 2008, the Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008. 

Electric car grants worth $2.4 billion unveiled

Administration names 48 projects to get funding to develop batteries, parts and programs.

NEW YORK, The federal government on Wednesday named which companies will get $2.4 billion in stimulus grants to develop batteries, parts and programs for electric cars.

The list of recipients particularly those involved in making batteries -- is being closely watched by analysts. The race to develop an economic, dependable electric car battery is tight, with many companies using competing technologies in an attempt to capture what could ultimately be a hugely lucrative market. Receiving government funding is seen as at least partial validation their technology is competitive. 
"This is really new stuff, but the government has at least vetted their business plan," said Michael Lew, an analyst with Think Equity in New York.

A total of 48 projects received funding. Many of the biggest projects are based in the hard hit Midwest, notably Michigan. The largest recipients include:

Johnson Controls - The U.S. company got almost $300 million for advanced batteries and other parts produced in Holland, Mich., and Lebanon, Ore.

Johnson, which is currently a big producer of regular car batteries, is praised for its manufacturing ability and seen as one of the U.S. companies that could help the country narrow a gap with Asia.

Asian companies are generally regarded as ahead in the advanced battery race, largely due to their experience manufacturing them for consumer electronics like cell phones and laptops.

Johnson has partnered with the French company Saft on lithium-ion technology, an advanced battery for use in plug-in and all-electric cars.

Johnson and Saft together are major suppliers for batteries used in electric vehicles for Mercedes, Ford, and BMW.

Saft won a separate $96 million government grant for a lithium-ion plant in Jacksonville, Fla.
A123 Systems - The small, privately held American firm won $249 million for advanced battery technology manufacturing at sites in Romulus and Brownstown, Mich.

The company previously lost a bid to Korea-based LG to be the primary battery supplier for General Motors' forthcoming Volt electric vehicle -- although the firm is still thought to be assisting with research on the project and may yet supply GM with batteries at a future date.
KD ABG MI, LLC - The joint venture between U.S.-based Dow Chemical (DOW, Fortune 500), Korea's Kokam and some venture capital firms got $161 million for advanced battery manufacturing in Midland, Mich.
LG - Through its subsidiary Compact Power, the Korean company won $151 million for lithium-ion battery production at sites in St. Clair, Pontiac and Holland, Mich. The batteries will be used in GM's Volt, due out late next year.
EnerDel - A subsidiary of Ener1 (HEV), the company received $119 million for lithium-ion battery production in Indianapolis. The company's technology is praised as some of the best in the business, although it has yet to get a big supply contract with a major auto company.
General Motors - The company got $106 million to put together a battery pack for the Volt in Brownstown, Mich. GM (GM, Fortune 500) also received an additional $30 million for a Volt demonstration program.
Chrysler - The automaker got $70 million to develop and deploy electric minivans and pickups.

This round of $2.4 billion in grants announced today is part of the electric vehicle program contained in the stimulus package.

The government also has another $25 billion in grants to develop fuel-efficient vehicles. Earlier this year, Ford (F, Fortune 500), Nissan and the California-based Tesla received a big chunk of that money for electric car research and manufacturing.

Additional grants from that $25 billion are set to be announced later this year. 

Some new auto models arrive with lower prices

One upside of a weak economy is showing up on the stickers of new cars: lower prices.
Automakers are cutting prices on selected 2010 models. In some cases, the all-new version of a vehicle may be introduced with a lower sticker price than the version it replaces.
Mercedes-Benz, for instance, cut the sticker price of the all-new version of its high-volume E350 midsize sedan by $3,300 to $49,475, including destination charges.
Rival Lexus cut the prices of the front- and all-wheel-drive versions of its RX 350 crossover by $700 for the new model year.
Nissan, meanwhile, announced that its updated compact Sentra sedan will be priced $130 to $1,080 lower, depending on the version.
Chrysler has gone furthest, cutting prices almost across the board for its aging lineup. Example: The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country minivan is $29,215, down $1,030 from the 2009 model.

The "manufacturer's suggested retail price" on the sticker is just that, a suggestion. The actual deal price results from bargaining between the dealer and customer.

Automakers aren't going into detail to explain cuts except to boil it down to one word: competition. With new car demand the lowest in decades, cutting prices can move slow sellers or generate buzz on updated models.

In its new E-Class, Mercedes added sleek new looks and, as standard equipment, an extra air bag and a system that alerts drivers if they appear to be falling asleep at the wheel. Yet the price was cut "to remain competitive," spokeswoman Larkin Hill says.
Toyota plans a cheaper version of the Prius, apparently aimed at holding off rival Honda Insight, a smaller and less expensive hybrid.

Sometimes a lower price isn't all it seems. General Motors lowered sticker prices for the new model year on just two vehicles — and in both cases, it was because of changes in the vehicles themselves.
The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox crossover, whose sticker price is down $1,825, to $23,185, has a thrifty four-cylinder base engine instead of the six-cylinder on the 2009, spokesman John McDonald says. The 2010 Cadillac SRX is smaller than the 2009, resulting in a price cut of $7,080 to $34,155, excluding destination charges.
Ford held the base pricing of its 2010 Taurus, on sale shortly, about the same as the 2009, even though the new model is bigger and significantly improved.

New Hot Cars In 2010 You Wish You Could Buy

If the economy recovers, 2010 could be a very good year for Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co., both of which are poised to launch new high-volume, high-m.p.g. vehicles next year.

Cars like the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus compacts..
with the promise of low prices and stingy fuel consumption, seem perfectly suited to the mood of the times.

Chrysler hopes to rekindle buyers' passions with new versions of the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger.

Japanese and German automakers have few potential big sellers in the wings. Hyundai looks set to continue its momentum with a couple of stylish new vehicles, however.

Here's an advance look at some of the most intriguing or significant new models coming over the next year:

Chevrolet Cruze: The roomy compact could be a top seller for General Motors. The Cruze looks to be competitive with stalwarts like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, but Chevrolet will need head-turning fuel economy to convince skeptical buyers to try its new small car. Look for EPA ratings above 40 m.p.g. from Cruzes featuring a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger: The second generation of the last great cars Chrysler developed. They'll be under a microscope, because the originals were so good, and because they're the first new Chryslers since Fiat took control of the company. The cars' styling recaptures the originality and excitement of the first Chrysler 300, and their rear-drive platforms should delight fans. Fuel economy will almost certainly be a challenge, however.

Ford Explorer: America's best-selling SUV will be replaced by a more fuel-efficient car-based vehicle, but the name could confuse some buyers. The new crossover wagon may not be rugged enough for owners of traditional SUVs, while crossover shoppers may dismiss it because they assume an Explorer must be a big, heavy SUV. "Ford has to market the new Explorer really well so people know what it is," Hall said.

Acura ZDX: Honda's luxury brand needs a hit, but its pricey new crossover faces challenges. "It's a bold move to make an untested vehicle like that a brand's flagship model," said Stephanie Brinley of consultant AutoPacific. Prices for the 300-horsepower V6 crossover with the sloping roof and hatchback will start at $50,000, according to Edmunds.com. "It's going to be a niche vehicle," said consultant Erich Merkle of Autoconomy.com. "You lose function and form with the low roofline."

Cadillac CTS coupe: "It enhances the sex appeal of the whole Cadillac lineup," Brinley said. The CTS sedan elevated Cadillac to the front rank of luxury brands, but the coupe still has to "earn its stripes," said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics. "The BMW 3-series owns the luxury coupe segment," he said. "It's tough to establish a new vehicle's credibility," he said.

Ford Focus: Ford's sophisticated global compact car is to finally go on sale in the United States. The new Focus promises to be a quantum leap better than the current model, but it will have to remain affordable to succeed. "Ford has a lot riding on the Focus," Brinley said. "They need to prove they can be profitable with a small car."

Ford Fiesta: The attractive subcompact will test American buyers' appetite for small cars. "The design is a knockout," Merkle said. "It's got a cute factor like the Mini Cooper, but is more affordable. It could appeal to empty-nesters as well as young buyers."

Honda Accord Crosstour: Honda's alternative to Toyota's sleek Venza crossover wagon attempts to meld an Accord-style nose to a Civic-like tail. The styling could be polarizing, but the car's position as a roomy flagship to the popular Accord line should generate interest. Edmunds.com predicts prices will start at $31,500.

Hyundai Sonata: Sketches of the new midsize sedan's slinky profile show a stunning departure from today's staid Sonata. Combined with Hyundai's steadily rising quality scores, the Sonata could be a game-changer for the Korean brand. "It trumps the Accord and Camry's design and could take a piece out of both of them," Merkle said. Hyundai's popular Tucson small crossover SUV gets an equally striking redo as the brand repositions itself upward.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: An all-new version of the vehicle that spawned the luxury-SUV craze and became an icon for its brand. The new Grand Cherokee's sleek, modern looks and significantly improved interior are major selling points, but it faces a market that's grown cool to SUVs. Boosting fuel economy significantly while maintaining the off-road capability of a true Jeep will be a challenge.

Lexus LF-A: Lexus' first sports car, the LF-A is intended to prove Toyota's luxury brand can go toe-to-toe with Porsche and BMW. The LF-A is expected to come in coupe and convertible models and feature a 5.0-liter V10 and sequential manual transmission. The LF-A concept debuted at auto shows in 2007, and the car's long gestation raises some questions. "It's been a stop-and-start program," Brinley said. "Will it still fire the imagination when it finally arrives?"

Scion tC: Scion has had trouble with the second generation of its cars -- the xB grew bigger and less funky, while the xA failed and was replaced by the equally disappointing xD. The replacement for the sporty tC coupe could be an important indicator of whether Toyota has a coherent plan for its youth brand. "The jury's kind of out on Scion," Merkle said. "The tC could be a make-or-break vehicle."

Toyota Sienna: The well-equipped minivan has become a mainstay of Toyota sales and a family favorite. "It's a big player in the market and in American life," Brinley said. "Minivans are still a huge segment of the market. There's no better vehicle for hauling people." The Sienna has a loyal following and could boost its sales further if the new model has exceptional fuel economy or unique kid-friendly features.

Chrysler Aiming To Rise

We've all been eagerly awaiting the change at Chrysler that's certain to come with Fiat taking the helm, and with a number of Alfa Romeo and Fiat models already in the pipeline, the company is now talking brand strategy. And that's what has Chrysler's Peter Fong talking about surpassing Lincoln and Cadillac.

Pushing the Chrysler brands farther apart, with larger price and feature gaps to distinguish the Dodge from Chrysler means Dodge will be eying sportier traits, while Chrysler vehicles will move further upscale in the luxury arena. But Chrysler isn't aiming just to take on Cadillac and Lincoln--it wants to beat them.

That means pushing the Chrysler brand, "a notch above Lincoln, a notch above Cadillac," says Peter Fong, president and CEO of the brand. That will necessitate a big move up-market as Cadillac is already ahead and is progressing quickly to improve its own products and luxury status with cars like the SRX, CTS sedan, coupe and wagon and the upcoming XTS flagship.

How, exactly, Chrysler plans to do that has not been revealed. The full product plan to back up this new strategy is scheduled for release in November. Though the 200C electric vehicle revealed at this year's Detroit Auto Show isn't headed to production, it is a preview of the upcoming design language for the brand revival, so expect any new products to share some hints borrowed from that vehicle, including possible Chrysler-branded Alfa and Fiat variants.

Dodge will move further from Chrysler by focusing on offering sporty vehicles, emphasizing performance while balancing that against the new fuel economy and emissions mandates. Jeep will remain largely unchanged, though its recent focus on the more car-like smaller segments with vehicles like the Compass and Patriot will grow.

Fiat’s Plan For Chrysler Recovery Revealed In Six-Hour Presentation

HAVING PLACED ITS FUTURE in the hands of new partner Fiat, Chrysler has a new ‘five year plan’ recovery plan, revealed in a six-hour presentation today.

The plan, led by new CEO Sergio Marchionne, forecasts sales figures doubling by 2014, and more than a dozen new models built on Fiat-developed platforms.
Marchionne said that while achieving the plan’s goals will not be easy, his experience with Fiat and its own turnaround five years ago stood as an example of what can be achieved.

“Some of you are going to walk out of here skeptical, and some of you are going to be downright incredulous,” Marchionne said during the presentation, surrounded by Chrysler’s 24 top managers.

“We have been here before.”

With 2009 sales down nearly 40 percent, Chrysler’s board chairman C. Robert Kidder said “the top priority is to invest to create a compelling brand and product offering”.

“There is no ‘business as usual’ at Chrysler. There is incredible commitment to and energy for change,” Kidder said.

Looking ahead, Chrysler will use the next couple of years to initiate and refine the changes required to ensure its survival.

“There is some question on what we’re going to be able to achieve in 2010, being the first year of the revamped organization,” Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said at the event.

“Obviously there’ll be a rationalization of the product portfolio.”Platforms And Technology

Marchionne said that Chrysler will now have access to engine and fuel-saving technology it could not have developed on its own.

The new engines will include Fiat’s 1.4 litre, four-cylinder Multiair units.

By 2014, half of Chrysler’s product line will be built either directly on Fiat-developed platforms and technology, or on platforms developed in partnership between the two.

Likewise, Fiat will utilise some of Chrysler’s existing and upcoming platforms; the next generation Chrysler 300C platform replacing its own in-development rear-wheel-drive project.

“You don’t have to reinvent the whole thing every time you do a platform. You just don’t,” Marchionne said.

“Sixty percent of an Alfa Mito is underneath a Fiat Punto. Looking at the cars, you’d never guess. We’ve gotten pretty good at this stuff.”

Around 40 percent of Chrysler’s models in 2014 will be powered by Fiat engines.Brands And Models

The new Chrysler logo, which leaked yesterday, will not replace the ‘pentastar’ logo as Chrysler’s corporate identity.

It will, however, replace the current winged badging on Chrysler-branded vehicles.

No confirmation was offered on the question of whether Chrysler-badged models will continue to be offered outside of North America, but Marchionne said that Chrysler will be spearheaded internationally by the Jeep name.

Chrysler is aiming to grow its export figures from 144,000 this year to 500,000 in five years, with the majority of the export growth centred around the Jeep brand.Jeep

In 2010, Jeep will launch the new Grand Cherokee and update the Patriot, Compass and Wrangler models.

Come 2013, new Fiat-based models will replace the Patriot and Compass.

Chrysler will be given a massive style overhaul, positioning it as a more desirable and ’sexy’ brand. Marchionne said the brand is aiming for “comfort and glamour”.

A redesigned Sebring and the new 300C will be unveiled late next year, and a new Fiat-based compact sedan will join the line-up in 2012.

Three more Fiat-based models will be added in 2013, including a small car - most likely a rebadged Punto - along with a Sebring replacement and a new mid-size crossover SUV.

A new Chrysler-developed Voyager will be unveiled in 2014.

Dodge

Dropping the Ram badge, Dodge is running with a new text-based logo.

Updated Journey and Avenger models will be revealed in 2010, followed by an all-new Charger sedan and a new CUV.

The Challenger muscle car will get an update in 2011.The current generation Viper will be retired next year, with 500 special edition units to be built. An all-new sports car is in the works to replace the Viper, to be launched around 2012.

To put the Viper successor’s possibilities in perspective: Fiat also owns Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati - three brands with significant pedigrees.

A new Fiat-based compact sedan will replace the Caliber after 2012.

Come 2013, two more Fiat-based cars will join the Dodge line-up: a small car and a successor to the Avenger sedan.Ram

Dodge’s Ram sub-brand will be split off into its own Ram Trucks brand, with a new mid-size pickup scheduled for 2011.

Fiat-based small and large commercial vans will join the line-up in 2012.
Financial Recovery

Thanks to strict cost controls (and the US government’s US$10 billion injection) before and after Fiat’s takeover, Chrysler’s cash reserves have grown by US$1.7bn (to $5.7bn) in the past four months

Marchionne said that the cost-cutting had restored Chrysler to operating profit in September this year.

In a recent cost-cutting move, Chrysler offered buyouts to 23,000 workers.

Chrysler expects to completely repay its government loans by 2014, but Richard Palmer, Chrysler’s Chief Financial Officer, said a public offering was “unlikely” to be announced before 2011.

Chrysler Shelves Plan to Sell Electric Car in 2010

Chrysler has disbanded a team of engineers dedicated to rushing a range of electric vehicles to showrooms and dropped ambitious sales targets for battery-powered cars set as it was sliding toward bankruptcy and seeking government aid.

The move by Fiat SpA marks a major reversal for Chrysler, which had used its electric car program as part of the case for a $12.5 billion federal aid package.

As late as August, Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans, vehicles now scrapped in the sweeping turnaround plan for Chrysler announced this week by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said on Friday that an in-house team of electric car development engineers had been disbanded in favor of a more traditional organization.

The automaker's former owner, Cerberus Capital Management, had set up a special division called "Envi" -- derived from Environment -- to spearhead development of hybrid technology where Chrysler badly trailed competitors.

"Envi is absorbed into the normal vehicle development program," Cappa told Reuters.

Under mounting pressure to improve the fuel-efficiency of its line-up, Chrysler announced in September last year that it was developing three electric vehicles and would sell the first of the models by 2010.

In January at the Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler upped the ante on its electric car bet by pledging to have 500,000 battery-powered vehicles on the road by 2013, including sports cars and trucks.

But a presentation of Chrysler's five-year strategy by Marchionne on Wednesday made no mention of Chrysler's earlier electric car development plans.

Under the Marchionne plan, former Envi chief Lou Rhodes will become the group line executive in charge of electric car development for both Fiat and Chrysler, Cappa said.

As of Friday, the Chrysler Group website still featured pictures and advertisements for the now-scuttled electric vehicles it had been developing.

That includes the Dodge Circuit, a two-seat, all-electric sports car that Chrysler engineers had rushed into prototype by using a Lotus platform.

At the time of the launch of Envi in late 2007, Chrysler executives had said the unit would operate with the speed of a venture capital-backed start-up that would compress the three-to-five-year development cycle typical for automakers.

Chrysler is the only one of the six top-selling automakers in the U.S. market without a hybrid offering.

Marchionne told reporters and analysts electric cars would only represent "one to two percent" of Chrysler's sales by 2014, equivalent to less than 60,000 vehicles.

"Until the (battery) storage gets resolved, I think electric vehicles are going to struggle," he said.

Fiat is considering bringing a battery-powered commercial van to the U.S. market but those plans have not been finalized, other Chrysler executives said.

The Obama administration, which has set a target of putting 1 million rechargeable cars on the road by 2015, gave Fiat a 20 percent stake in Chrysler in exchange for bringing vehicles and more fuel-efficient engines to Chrysler.

Marchionne has forecast that Chrysler will be at break-even on a net basis in 2011. The automaker has said it plans to more than double U.S. sales over the next five years and roll out a dozen new models based on Fiat platforms.