Chrysler Adds Hybrid Division

Amid rumors that Chrysler may close its famous go-fast Mopar division comes official news that the born-again domestic is adding an entire hybrid division, called Envi. Short for “environment,” Envi will develop hybrid models from scratch, forgoing the common practice of just adding hybrid technology to existing vehicles.

Chrysler’s first two hybrid vehicles, however, will be versions of existing models: the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs, due next year. Envi is looking to quickly develop and produce a vehicle for market, but we’re not sure if quickly means 2009 or sometime in the next decade.

Chrysler Puts Rush on Hybrid Vehicles (The Detroit News)

Related
First Drive: 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid (KickingTires)
Hybrid Hemi Chrysler Aspen On The Way in 08 (KickingTires)

Comments

Envi is a great name.

Great Name, they also have great guy like Jim Press who has 37 years experience in Toyota and just moved to Chrysler.

They can bring light to Hybrids and slowly face out the Hemi gas-guzzler.

RUMOR of No more Mopar?!

What? No way. What does this mean about the future Challenger?

How come this isnt a blog report?!

It's just rumors I've read on various automotive blogs and message forums. We don't report on rumors for the most part. if there's something concrete though we'll post it asap.

I like the idea of a model being exclusively a hybrid. It appeals to the egos of people who really want to look green; and it also obscures the economics.

When I drove a Prius my reaction was that no one would buy this car if it weren't a hybrid. I didn't like the ergonomics, visibility is bad, rear headroom is horrible, and there's really cheap plastic everywhere. However Toyota's designers did an excellent job disguising cheap as funky and futuristic. Automakers realized about 15 years ago that LCD instrumentation is a bad idea, but on the Prius it seems to fit perfectly behind the plastic steering wheel that protrudes from the dash in a way that seems to suggest it's not mechanically connected to the wheels (an effect heightened by the fact that the neighboring gear selector and start button have no mechanical function).

My point is: this seems to suit Chrysler quite well since their interiors are usually lacking in quality but they can be very innovative and they have style.

I don't think there's any chance quickly can mean 2009.

Well, it looks like Hybrids will be here for a long time before we see hydrogen and other alternative energy sources become mainstream.

I think in the same statement Narcelli indicated that he wanted to keep the muscle cars to. So get both ends of the spectrum.

Good for the new Chrysler!
Has anyone seen the documentary on Sundance on oil the last two weeks or so? It's called 'The Crude Awakening'. I'm not much for alarmist and dooms sayers but this is some really interesting dialog from very intelligent folks about our very near future with oil as the center of our universe. Search for it, watch it, be amazed.
And then YouTube search the radio waves/saltwater fellow and it'll make you feel better about mankind and the proverbial mouse trap.

Changing mindset, driving habits and image is more important than changing vehicles. I believe if people only bought the vehicle they truly needed, we would be better off. We too often see single occupant large trucks and SUV's driving around "agressively" when the occupant could just as easily be driving in a comnpact car thet gets twice the MPG, is easier to park, easier to manuver in traffic and costs less than the SUV/Truck.

On the other side of the coin, if you truly need a large vehicle (for work, large family etc..) than go for it but, I'd wager to say that 75% of large vehicle owners don't truly need them.