Chrysler Says No Volt-Killer For Three To Five Years

Chrysler says that it will not have its "Volt-killer" plug-in hybrid model available for the next three to five years. The company's Project ENVI is at work now and may possibly create a range-extended vehicle the would exceed current CAFE standards slated to take effect in 2020.

Project ENVI was initiated last Fall and is tasked with bringing electric drive vehicles and advanced propulsion techniques to market for Chrysler. GM, meanwhile, plans to bring its plug-in Volt to market in 2010 and will compete with the plug-in Prius, also slated for delivery in that time frame.

The three-to-five year development arc doesn't sit well with Chrysler dealers, who are under pressure to deliver hybrid vehicles to the buying public. Dealers have been told not to expect any significant movement from Chrysler on hybrid models until the 2012 model year. Chrysler does plan to deliver the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango hybrid models to dealers later this year. According to Chrysler, the two models will be priced aggressively, well below similar hybrid SUVs offered by Ford and Chrysler.

Following that, Chrysler will deliver the Dodge Ram hybrid in 2010, but has not announced any additional hybrid vehicle programs. JD Power and Associates has predicted that Chrysler will release a Caravan hybrid in 2010 and a Dodge Avenger hybrid in 2013, but the company has not confirmed those plans. Global Insight, meanwhile, is calling for a Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrid in 2010, another speculation that the company has declined to confirm. Currently, Chrysler sales are off by more than 22 percent for the year.

Source: The Detroit Free Press
Photo: Chrysler