Chrysler today announced plans to jumping into the electric car market with both feet by offering up three high-voltage prototypes to reporters and a promise to put about 100 electric vehicles on the road in 2009. We’ve been waiting to get a sense of what the company’s ENVI group is up to, and now we know.

One of the three concept vehicles, the all-electric Dodge EV, is sure to generate some buzz (Is it a Tesla for the common people?) for its fierce looks and eco-friendly, refuel-it-from-the-wall-socket appeal.

continue reading "Chrysler enters the electric race"

Technical Marvel, Marketing Challenged

We recently had the opportunity to drive the new 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid SUV twins. VehicleVoice contributor Stephanie Brinley drove from Portland, Maine, to Boston and I from Boston to Maine. Great setting, with perfect weather and technically outstanding vehicles.

continue reading "First Drive: 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hemi Hybrids"

Chrysler: Exceptional times, extraordinary measures!Posted hypothetical 2-07-2008 in and out of Ovidiu MironLeave your commentCategory: Chrysler

continue reading "Chrysler: Special times, special measures!"

VW Wants to Hit the Big Time in the US Market
Like so many other second tier brands today, Volkswagen is talking publicly about big goals in the US. True, Volkswagen is a huge player in many world markets, particularly Europe, China, and Latin America. Here in America, however, Volkswagen is definitely something of a niche player, despite its enviable brand image. Apparently, Volkswagen wants to become a mainstream player in the US as it is in the rest of the world, rather than a marque that appeals primarily to fashionable hipsters as it does now. By about the middle of the next decade, Volkswagen wants to be selling 800,000 vehicles in the US, up from about 230,000 last year.

continue reading "Volkswagen Routan – Chrysler Minivan Roots Mean Function, Not Fun"

Chrysler LLC has not been shy about going after a partner. Chrysler needs access to the expertise in small cars that they don’t have, as well as to benefit from the kinds of economies of scale necessary to make any sort of profit on vehicles expected to sell at the bottom end of the scale. After signing with Chinese maker Chery for help in the international arena, announcements have come on new relationships with Nissan. The OEM agreements with Nissan announced this week are examples of two companies finding a win-win relationship.

continue reading "Chrysler and Nissan: Sharing Can be Fun"

Chrysler came to the Detroit Auto Show with three concepts to show off. Joe Dehner, Vice President, Small, Premium & Family Vehicle Design, met us at the Chrysler booth to give us a brief tour of the Chrysler Eco Voyager, the Jeep Renegade, and the Dodge Zeo.

All three sported alternative power trains, glittered with LED lights in unexpected places, and boasted glass, glass and more glass. But each was vastly different in, not only it’s design, but it’s perceived use and expected buyer.

continue reading "VehicleVoice #97 - The Chrysler Eco Voyager Concept: a Green-Powered Greenhouse"

continue reading "VehicleVoice #98 - The Jeep Renegade Concept: the New Amphibious Sport Utility from Chrysler!"