Autoblog Green

Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GM, Legislation and Policy

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

GM and Chrysler may have gotten government help totaling almost $40 billion, but that money does not come with strings attached demanding that the two companies build electric or high-mpg cars. Government task force head Ron Bloom told Reuters that, "We obviously would be very happy if Chrysler and GM were making lots and lots of high mileage cars. It's not a prerequisite. It's not an obligation."

While the U.S. as a whole would benefit if the cars on the road were more efficient, the government's stance is understandably self-serving. The market for EVs isn't that big, and if the U.S. wants the loan money returned, they need GM and Chrysler to build vehicles they can sell. Another reason is that the government doesn't want to get involved in making specific business decisions, and is deferring to the management teams at both companies on these issues. Chrysler's team has decided to disband its ENVI group while GM keeps moving forward with the Volt program. One way the government can get cleaner cars to the market is to raise CAFE standards, which they did earlier this year.

[Source: Reuters]

Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Fiat Doblo may be first Chrysler BEV

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat Doblo - click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this week, Fiat unveiled a new version of its Doblo light commercial van and there has been speculation that it could come to North America as a new member of the Ram brand to challenge the Ford Transit Connect. The parallels to the Ford actually run deeper however. The Transit Connect will be Ford's first new plug-in vehicle next year and the Doblo could well hold the same position for Chrysler.

During Chrysler's recent marathon business plan meeting, SVP Paolo Ferraro showed a slide that made one of the few mentions of Chrysler's electrification strategy. The first pure battery electric vehicle in the severely scaled back program was shown as a light commercial vehicle and the image was of the current generation Doblo. While Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said at the time that no final decision had been made on which product would get the BEV system, this new Doblo seems a likely candidate, especially if the TC proves popular with fleets.

[Source: GreenFuelsForecast]

New Fiat Doblo may be first Chrysler BEV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:05:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Green Daily

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Reuters, Chrysler has disbanded its ENVI program and integrated the group back into its normal product development organization. Former ENVI head Lou Rhodes will now take the title of group line executive in charge of electric vehicle development and will manage that group for both Chrysler and Fiat. Though we weren't exactly expecting this change, the move isn't entirely unexpected.

At this point, we don't yet know what this reorganization means for the electric vehicles that Chrysler had previously promised to put into production, the first of which was to be the Lotus-based Dodge Circuit that was hopefully supposed to be on the market by late 2010.

Fiat CEO and newly-appointed head of Chrysler Sergio Marchionne said earlier this week during Chrysler's painfully long new product plan presentation that electric vehicles are still a very tough proposition with current battery technology. In fact, the automaker expects that less than two percent of its lineup will be electric by 2014, which would amount to less than 60,000 vehicles per year.

Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to outfit Fiat 500-approved dealers with specific showroom "salons"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Listening to Chrysler's long and rambling 2010-2014 Business Plan, it was clear that the company and its dealerships are very much looking forward to finally getting the fuel efficient Fiat 500 in North America. Much like what happened when BMW launched the Mini brand eight-odd years ago, it's hoped that the cute little 500 will attract a whole new customer to the Chrysler fold.

In order to properly court those new ~~wallets~~ buyers, Chrysler plans to open "specific interior showroom branded salons" in select dealerships, mostly in metropolitan areas. A dedicated set of salespeople will be assigned to sell the Fiat 500 in the States... ya know, since they otherwise wouldn't know how to sell the important car to American consumers.

There will also be a full line of accessories made available to customize the new car, which we would expect will include unique color and stripe packages both inside and out along with a slew of optional wheel designs. Whatever, make ours an Abarth and we're good. Expect all of this to take place before the end of 2010 as the Fiat 500 finally starts to show up in those selected dealerships.

Chrysler to outfit Fiat 500-approved dealers with specific showroom "salons" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel back in the picture at Chrysler, start-stop in Q4 2010

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Chrysler, Jeep

Based on the presentation by Paolo Ferrero at the Chrysler business plan meeting in Auburn Hills today, it sure sounds like diesel is back in the picture at Chrysler. Prior to the Daimler-Chrysler divorce, there were lots of plans for diesel installations in U.S.-market Chryslers. That all fell by the wayside during the Cerberus era. Ferraro, the new SVP of powertrain engineering at Chrysler, repeatedly mentioned diesel as one of the paths to reduced fuel consumption, although he didn't give any specific dates on when they might be introduced in the U.S.

Ferraro did say that Chrysler would "Reinforce the Clean Diesel Image" and adapt Fiat engines to Chrysler vehicles. He also said they would apply aftertreatment technologies to meet 2015 European and U.S. emissions standards.

Ferraro went on to say that Chrysler would add automatic start-stop beginning in the 2011 model year and showed a diagram of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler diesel in Q4 2010. A Wrangler diesel is offered overseas but will switch to Fiat engines next year. Hopefully, Fiat will start bringing these diesels to the U.S., too.

[Source: Chrysler]

Diesel back in the picture at Chrysler, start-stop in Q4 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to cut weight of next-gen Jeep Liberty by 600 pounds!

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:47:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Lightweight

The Jeep Liberty is not a particularly large vehicle, but Chrysler engineers managed to pack a lot of mass into it nonetheless. The current Liberty weighs in at nearly 4,300 pounds! At the Chrysler business plan meeting today, product development SVP Scott Kunselman revealed that aerodynamics and weight reduction will be a big part of all future vehicles. Using modern computer design tools and lighter materials the company plans to pare large amounts of excess mass. As an example, Kunselman revealed that the next generation Liberty SUV will shed a whopping 600 pounds!

In addition Chrysler will help drivers reduce fuel consumption through connectivity technologies. New navigation systems will have more intelligence in the routing algorithms with the goal of minimizing the fuel consumption. For example, it could set up the route to minimize left turns even if it might mean going slightly further. UPS has been experimenting with similar technology in its routing and now it looks like consumers will be able to get it.

[Source: Chrysler]

Chrysler to cut weight of next-gen Jeep Liberty by 600 pounds! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two-mode hybrid joint development disbanded; Ram hybrid coming in 2010

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:53:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Mercedes Benz, Daimler

The big joint development program formed several years ago between General Motors, Daimler, Chrysler and BMW to develop the two-mode hybrid system for light duty vehicles is over. With all four automakers now having launched or about to introduce versions of the hybrid system, the joint program is being wound down and the Troy, Michigan office where engineers from each company collaborated will be closed by the end of this year. Most of the joint work actually ended last June and many of the staff have already been relocated to other facilities.

The Mercedes ML450 hybrid and BMW X6 ActiveHybrid are both going into production about now using a version of the two mode transmission built by Daimler.

Chrysler, which briefly built a version of the Durango and Aspen SUVs with the hybrid system last year, remains committed to re-launching the system in the Ram pickups in 2010. At this point however, it looks unlikely the planned light duty hybrid will launch anytime soon in the Ram 1500.

[Source: Detroit News]

Two-mode hybrid joint development disbanded; Ram hybrid coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Chrysler's ENVI electric vehicle program dead or just working quietly?

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler

Dodge Circuit - click above for a high res image gallery

Ever since the latest "new" Chrysler emerged from the ashes of chapter 11 bankruptcy court last spring, it has been ominously quiet on the product front. In late June, the company scheduled and then canceled its annual "What's New" product preview for the media. In fact the only news of any note out of Auburn Hills in recent months has been the management changes made by CEO Sergio Marchionne.

So what is fate of the ENVI electric vehicle program? GM-Volt has published an op-ed over the weekend speculating about whether the whole program had been shelved or killed off. In all of the management shuffles, no mention has been made of ENVI. Last spring we talked to ENVI president Lou Rhodes and the programs seemed to be humming along despite Chrysler's financial difficulties.

Since Chrysler has not been at all reticent to remind us of any changes or departures from the management ranks, we're pretty sure that if Rhodes had been moved or let go we would have heard about it. Based on the presumption that Rhodes still has the same job, we also assume he has something going on there to manage.

We checked with Chrysler's main technology spokesman Nick Cappa and asked if our assessment was on track that a lack of news about ENVI and Rhodes indicated that work was ongoing, albeit quietly? Cappa responded that "Quietly is a good way to put it."

So there you have it, that's all the news there is for now but it sure sounds like development has not stopped, We'll find out for sure next week when Chrysler holds its 5-year business plan unveiling in Auburn Hills. Stay tuned.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV

[Sources: GM-Volt.com, Chrysler]

Is Chrysler's ENVI electric vehicle program dead or just working quietly? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fiat and Chrysler working together on electric car

Domenick Yoney — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Fiat, USA

While visiting Fiat's gearbox plant in Verrone, Italy the other day, Chrysler board member Alfredo Altavilla let slip that the Italian giant and its newly-acquired Detroit automaker are working together to build an electric car. Chrysler hasn't been talking up its ENVI electric vehicle skunkworks of late and, although they have said they still plan on producing the Dodge Circuit, the silence has served to create speculation.

The statement, which wasn't so much of a bean-spilling as it was a bean-seepage (wow, does that sound unappetizing), was the first word from the company about its electrification plans since sometime last June. Things will be made more clear on November 4, when Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will present an updated version of Chrysler's business plans. We imagine that any new electric vehicle this Italian-American venture spawns will be somewhat smaller and more realistic than some of those proposed last year. While we'd love to see a Fiat 500EV come out of this, let us know in the comments what kind of EV you'd like to see from the pair.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

REPORT: Fiat and Chrysler working together on electric car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler owners' manuals go digital for 2010, saves 20,000 trees

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Green Daily

2010 Jeep Liberty Owners' Manual - Click above to enlarge

It was bound to happen sooner or later. For the 2010 model year, Chrysler will no longer be providing traditional owners' manuals on any of its vehicles. Instead, all Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep cars and trucks will come with "a consolidated, customer-friendly user guide and DVD." That consumer guide will be comprised of 60-80 pages in full color and will cover the most commonly-needed information.

While some will surely miss their thick paperback owners' manuals, Chrysler cites a number of benefits to the switch. For instance, dropping the four-pound books will save 930 tons of paper annually, which equates to about 20,000 trees. We'd also bet it's more informative to watch a video on DVD giving the proper procedure to fold down a Jeep Wrangler's notoriously stubborn soft top than reading about it in print.

Oh, and we'd also guess the Pentastar is saving a good bit of cash by making this switch. Full press release after the break if you're interested in all the sordid details.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler owners' manuals go digital for 2010, saves 20,000 trees

Chrysler owners' manuals go digital for 2010, saves 20,000 trees originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USPS study shows V2G could speed internal investment return

Domenick Yoney — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, USA

Chrysler U.S. Postal Service Minivan - Click above for high-res image gallery

We haven't heard anything about the 250 electric Chrysler Town and Country mini-vans joining the United States Postal Service (USPS) fleet since the Earth Day announcement but that doesn't mean sleet, snow or gloom of night has kept the mail peoples from considering the benefits that electric vehicles (EVs) may offer in the 21st century. Though the history of EVs delivering our mail stretches back to the beginning of the last century (check out this historical overview) and as recently as 2003, when a small fleet of electric Ford Rangers and Chrysler's original EPIC mini-vans were employed, the USPS is studying the issue again at the urging of Congressman José E. Serrano. This time, however, the benefits of the coming vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has been taken into account.

Among the findings in the report on the electrification of delivery vehicles (available here as a PDF) is the shortening of the internal rate of return (IRR) time period made possible by selling back power via V2G. It concludes that the $76,164,000 of electron-sharing income generated from 3,000 vehicles over a 10-year period could speed the IRR by 15 percent, reaching payback in 5.6 years. The benefit has inspired the report to suggest that EV roll-out should occur in areas ready to offer V2G services.

Gallery: Chrysler EV USPS mini-van

[Source: USPS]

USPS study shows V2G could speed internal investment return originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magnetti Marelli signs deal for development and production of batteries

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:12:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Fiat

Magneti Marelli has just signed a deal with Italian battery maker FAAM SpA to cooperate on development and production of lithium ion batteries. Marelli is a parts-making subsidiary of Fiat and the batteries are being developed for use in transportation applications. In addition to its Italian plant, FAAM also has factories in China and Uruguay.

Now that Fiat is moving forward with product plans with Chrysler, the Italians plan to tap into the electric drive technology developed by the Americans. However, Chrysler has been working closely with A123 Systems on developing batteries. It's not clear how the Marelli-FAAM deal might affect the relationship with A123. It's certainly possible that the partners could move ahead with multiple battery suppliers.

[Source: Reuters]

Magnetti Marelli signs deal for development and production of batteries originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chrysler could ditch Cummins for Fiat diesel power

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat

For years, diesel-powered Dodge Ram pickup trucks have featured powerful inline six-cylinder engines from Cummins. By all accounts, the partnership has been successful and the Cummins diesel engines are highly regarded in the industry. Therefore, it wasn't exactly shocking to hear that the planned light duty diesel engine for the Ram 1500 pickup would be sourced from Cummins.

Not long ago, Chrysler's bankruptcy allowed the automaker to cancel contracts that were no longer desirable for the automaker moving forward. The deal with Cummins for the light duty diesel was one such contract, though later reports indicated that the deal could potentially be revived. According to an unnamed source quoted by Automotive News (sub. req'd), though, that pairing may be in jeopardy.

In place of the Cummins diesel engine may very well be an oil-burning powerplant from Fiat, the Italian automaker that recently partnered up with the Chrysler. In related news, Chrysler may possibly withdraw from its joint venture with Hyundai and Mitsubishi to produce the World Engine that's currently used in a number of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. As you may have guessed, the replacement powerplants would almost surely be sourced from Fiat.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Chrysler could ditch Cummins for Fiat diesel power originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama announces battery grants: Big Three, Michigan, li-ion companies come out winners

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chrysler, Ford, GM, USA

At the closed and then re-openend Monaco Recreational Vehicle plant in Indiana today, President Obama will announce exactly how $2.4 billion in Recovery Act grant money will be spent on advanced battery technologies and on infrastructure for more electric vehicles. This is a bit more than the $2 billion originally set aside in February to fund advanced batteries in the Recovery Act. All told, 48 battery technology and electric vehicle projects will get some money. The big winners and familiar names are:

Michigan and the Big Three: People who think that GM and Chrysler have received too much money already won't be pleased with the news that the Big Three and other Michigan-based groups will end up with half of the $2.4 billion. GM will get $240 million, Ford almost $100 million and Chrysler $70 million.
Johnson Controls: $299.2 million to make "nickel-cobalt-metal battery cells and packs, as well as production of battery separators."
A123: $249.1 million to make nano-iron phosphate cathode powder, electrode coatings, battery
cells and modules and assembling the complete battery pack systems.
Compact Power, Inc. (LG Chem, Ltd.): $151.4 million to produce the lithium-ion polymer battery cells for the
Chevy Volt.
Ener1: $118.5 million to produce their lithium-ion cells and packs.

Many universities and schools were also given money to set up educational programs in the EV arts. As we mentioned yesterday, these are grants, not loans, and so do not need to be repaid. The White House has stipulated that 70 percent of the money must be spent by next year. See all of the winners, the amounts they received and what the money is being spent on in the gallery below of download the PDF.

Gallery: $2.4 billion Recovery Act money for advanced batteries

[Source: Detroit News, White House]
Photo by marcn. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Obama announces battery grants: Big Three, Michigan, li-ion companies come out winners

Obama announces battery grants: Big Three, Michigan, li-ion companies come out winners originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fiat's fuel-saving Multi-air tech could come to Chrysler

Dan Roth — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat's advanced Multiair technology could be an easy port to Chrysler's powertrains as the companies move ahead together. "It is low-invasive hardware" said Lucio Bernard of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the division of the Italian automotive conglomerate tasked with developing the parts that make the cars go.

The Multiair system, which uses its sophisticated software and fast-acting electrohydraulic actuation to send the throttle plate off to the annals of history, appears deceptively simple. The system slots into the cylinder head kind of like a Lego brick, and is easily adaptable to most engines. This being the case, adapting it to the Chrysler engines we already know and love wouldn't be too difficult of a task.

The software to run it all is what Fiat is most proud of; the competition is years behind, it says, and the company has patented its rig. Alfa Romeo already has MultiAir out in the wild with the MiTo, and with the need for fuel efficiency gains in Chrysler's lineup, something that's essentially as easy as snapping pieces together seems very attractive.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Fiat's fuel-saving Multi-air tech could come to Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Dodge Circuit production hints, possibly coming in 2010

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:53:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, Dodge

Dodge Circuit EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all of the recent upheaval at Chrysler, it's no surprise that the fate of the very cool Dodge Circuit is not exactly certain. In May, Chrysler assured everyone that the program was not DOA, and Chrylser ENVI president Lou Rhodes recently said something similar to Car and Driver. Rhodes even gave C&D a few details about how the program is shaping up.

The plan would have the vehicle produced by Lotus in the UK and then shipped to the U.S. for the electric powertrain. Chrysler's sales target is 100,000 EVs in order to benefit from economies of scale for all the expensive EV bits. By selling that many vehicles, Rhodes told C&D that Chrysler's efforts could make the Circuit "tens of thousands" of dollars less than the somewhat similar Tesla Roadster. The Circuit is still likely to be Chrysler's first EV, and could start production next year.

Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive

Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Car and Driver via All Cars Electric]

REPORT: Dodge Circuit production hints, possibly coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two-Mode hybrid may be a one hit wonder for Daimler, BMW

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Chrysler, GM, Daimler

Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery

What started as a very promising collaboration between General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and BMW is looking increasingly like a technological dead end. The two-mode hybrid system originally developed by General Motors' former Allison division for transit buses was to be adapted to light-duty applications by the three (later four after the DCX divorce) automakers. The system, which was designed to provide efficiency benefits at highway speeds as well as in urban stop and go driving, is mechanically complex and very expensive to build.

GM has applied it to many of its full size trucks and SUVs. However, the first Chrysler SUV application was short-lived and Chrysler's only other announced plan is the Ram pickups in 2010.

The Germans, meanwhile, created a repackaged version of the two-mode transmission that will appear in the Mercedes ML450 and BMW X6 later this year. Those will likely be the only applications of the system for the German brands. Future hybrids are likely to use a cheaper, more modular system - possibly derived from the mild hybrid system developed by Daimler and BMW. Both automakers are also looking at other technologies, including battery electrics, as an alternative. The Two-Mode alliance will likely be dissolved by the end of this year.

Gallery: Quick Drive: Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Two-Mode hybrid may be a one hit wonder for Daimler, BMW originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler pushing to dramatically cut GEM dealer network

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, Green Daily, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

GEM Peapod - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has made a big deal in the past about its long history selling GEM electric cars, and there are tens of thousands of them on the roads today. Of course, the EVs that Chrysler has been selling since 2000 (when DaimlerChrysler purchased GEM) are all NEVs - expensive, slow electric vehicles that aren't selling well these days. With Chrysler's recent emergence from bankruptcy, the company is still looking to cut losses wherever possible. Letting some GEM dealers go is one option.

Last month, Chrysler axed almost 800 Chrysler dealerships. According to a U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing, the company now wants to eliminate 64 of 150 low-performing GEM dealers as well. Chrysler attorney Corinne Ball wrote in the filing that Chrysler has "determined that the GEM dealership agreements are neither necessary nor valuable to their estates and should be rejected."

The newest addition to the GEM lineup was to be the Peapod (pictured), but Chrysler announced recently that it would release this car under its own brand name, Peapod Mobility.

Gallery: GEM Peapod

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Chrysler pushing to dramatically cut GEM dealer network originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM persuing Chrysler for repayment of Two-Mode Hybrid development

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Legislation and Policy, USA

In a case that's sure to light up our own comments section along with untold numbers of message boards across the web, our friends at PickupTrucks.com are reporting that General Motors has filed documents in court in an attempt to get New Chrysler to honor its full pre-bankruptcy debt of $531,275 (of which Chrysler has so far only agreed to pay back about a third) for work on the sophisticated Two-Mode hybrid powertrain that was jointly developed by the two American automakers along with Daimler and BMW.

Chrysler and General Motors have both filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors, which allows the automakers to renegotiate - or in many cases completely cancel - past contracts that are no longer desirable. It seems that Chrysler's contract with The General, which is supplying the hybrid transmissions to Chrysler, has yet to be picked up by New Chrysler.

This case is a bit more intriguing than most - such as Chrysler's canceled contract with Cummins for light-duty diesel engines for the Ram pickup - as it pits General Motors across the courtroom and on the other side of bankruptcy negotiations. We suspect that New Chrysler may be keen to pick up its old tab since the automaker is still planning to use the Two-Mode Hybrid technology for future vehicles, starting with the 2010 Dodge Ram, though possibly with more favorable terms.

Gallery: 2008 GM 2-Mode Hybrid SUVs

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

REPORT: GM persuing Chrysler for repayment of Two-Mode Hybrid development originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bosch looks for more business as Chrysler starts to build Fiats

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:16:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Chrysler, Fiat

Bosch has long been a major supplier of many different automotive components to Fiat, and the company is hoping to leverage that association with the new Chrysler. Bosch provides a higher proportion of the parts and systems that go into the Italian cars than they ever have had at Chrysler. However, as new upcoming Chrysler vehicles move to Fiat-based platforms (and, presumably, powertrains), Bosch parts may further infiltrate Auburn Hills.

Bosch also hopes some of its newer endeavors help it to capture more market share for technologies to improve fuel efficiency. Bosch is now building motors for hybrid and electric drive vehicles and recently announced a joint venture for lithium ion batteries. The massive German supplier will also start to build turbochargers in 2011 as more automakers move to downsized and boosted engines to reduce fuel consumption.

With car sales unlikely to return to their previous peaks in the foreseeable future, the only way for Bosch to grow its business is to get into areas it has not previously been involved in. The company is also trying to drive down costs by standardizing more components and reducing the number of proprietary designs it produces for different automakers.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

Bosch looks for more business as Chrysler starts to build Fiats originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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