AND 
Op-Ed: Has the Chrysler ENVI Electric Car Program been Abandoned?
Around a year ago, Chrysler announced three models that made up its ENVI lineup, specifically the Dodge Circuit EV (a 2 seat, BEV sports car), a 40 mile extended range Jeep Patriot and a 40 mile extended range Town & Country van. Two others, a Jeep Wrangler and a concept sedan would follow in the next few months.
Chrysler had promised to bring at least one of these models to market in 2010, and three more models before the end of 2012. However by May of this year, the Pentastar found itself in bankruptcy protection, and control was shifted away from the existing Chrysler executive to Italian automobile maker Fiat.
Since then it is fair to say that information and updates have been very un-GM like from Chrysler, as in, non-existent. Checking out Chrysler’s ENVI blog (at time of press), you will find the last entry dated May 7th, 2009, around the same time it when into Chapter 11.
This seemingly ‘all-stop’ directive did not hinder Chrysler from still going forward with applying to the Department of Energy for a $448 million dollar grant.
That grant was to produce 365 test fleet vehicles, and would provide seed money to establish a new technology and manufacturing center in Michigan, which would amongst other things develop, test and manufacture EV components and serve as a base for final assembly of ENVI products. It was said at the time, that the facility would produce 20,000 vehicles a year and would be operating in 2010.
Similar to GM’s also still outstanding applications to the DoE, the Chrysler’s application has not yet been approved.
GM-Volt got in contact with Chrysler spokesperson (and Technology PR guy) Nick Cappa about the DoE loan proposal and status, and he offer the following, “We continue to work closely with the DOE on the review process for our loan proposal. We are making progress.” Not a terribly informative update to be sure…but on the bright side, the inquiry did not incur any long distance telephones charges to GM-Volt.com.
Unlike GM’s well documented, and ever accelerating ramp to production with the Volt, it appears that Chrysler’s progress had been tied directly to achieving government support.
So, has ENVI been scrapped, or put on long-term hiatus? Certainly no one at Chrysler is talking. However, after a half a year of darkness, the tumbleweeds will likely be cleared away and that question answered on November 4th. That is when Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne introduces the world to the Chrysler Group’s new “5 year plan” at a epically long SIX HOUR media fiesta. (Hopefully they provide dinner on that flight)
It is a good bet to assume that the ‘new’ to US, 2011 Fiat 500 mini-car, which is to be built at a Chrysler plant in Mexico will also underpin a re-engineered/re-badged electric offering for Chrysler. But what of the ENVI program? With Chrysler under new management, we may find that only survivor from the ‘old’ Chrysler EV program will be the Dodge Circuit, as it is much further down the developmental road than its peers.
When asked if there had been any new developments and/or why there had not been any news of late, Mr. Kappa alluded to forthcoming news, “Nothing about our EV programs to announce today, but stay tuned. Lots of activity here.”
/and so we wait
74 Responses to “Op-Ed: Has the Chrysler ENVI Electric Car Program been Abandoned?”
Recent Posts
- Ford Unveils Transit Connect Electric Cargo Van, Will Enter Production This Year
- Chevrolet Chief on Volt Supply and Demand
- Jaguar Says Only ‘Self Charging’ Extended Range Electric Cars Make Sense
- Op-Ed: Prius Halo Damaged; Toyota Pressured to Announce Recall on 270,000 Units Already Sold, as CEO President Finally Breaks Cover
- GM Sends Dealers 2011 Model Year Ordering Guide: Includes Volt
- GM Partners with NASA to Build Next Generation Robots
- If Electronics are to Blame for Toyota’s Vehicle Failures, What Does this Mean for the Volt?
- The Chevy Volt Fuel Tank will be Sized to Deliver 300 Miles of Gas Range
- Video: How the Volt Works
- GM CEO: Volt Will Roll out Simultaneously in US, and a Billion Dollars Couldn’t Bring it Sooner
Recent GM-Volt Forum Posts
- Volt Test Drive by Vancouver EV Association February 8, 2010VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- General Motors issued a very special invitation to the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association last week to drive the... […]WopOnTour
- gasoline cars are like smoking . . . . February 8, 2010interesting article, better presenting what I've had a hard time putting into words (which is why HE's a writer and I'M... […]prowler
- A common European strategy for electric vehicles February 8, 2010I coudn't resist to cut and paste the next excerpt : Link :... […]Jean-Charles Jacquemin
- Run flat option or standard? February 8, 2010I suspect that run flats might be standard because they get rid of the space and weight taken by a spare tire and may result in less fatal accidents... […]1nk
- Engine Thermal Management in a Series Hybrid February 8, 2010I've just recently discovered how different the environments under which a conventional (even parallel hybrid) ICE and series hybrid ICE are... […]XGC75
- electric car with wind generator February 7, 2010My design of ELECTRIC CAR WITH WIND GENERATOR: http://velkovelkov.blogspot.com/ I think this conception is original and realistic. The low position... […]Velko Velkov
- Please provide complete home solar systems. February 6, 2010Please provide both a volt charging solar system and a complete whole house solar system that takes the user completely off the grid and stays on... […]1nk
GM-Volt.com is not affiliated with General Motors Company
All contents copyright 2007-2010 GM-Volt.com, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Home | Contact | Privacy Policy | About | Back to Top
October 24th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Sure feels like it.
I suspect that they are taking the tech they’ve developed in those prototypes, and are applying it to a Fiat or Alpha Romeo. Let’s hope they are putting a 4 wheel hub motor version in an Alpha Romeo Competizione.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Was there ever a “program” with any production intentions or wishes in the first place?
October 24th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Wow, Statik! …..your graphic at the top, eerily reminiscent of an earthscape from Planet of the Apes, implies ENVI (and perhaps also Chrysler?) may be destined for utter destruction! After all, the mighty Mercedes vomitted Chrysler up …..could the more fragile Fiat wind up finally doing the same? Although I fear it really could happen, I certainly hope not!!!
October 24th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Hello Salvador Dali. Thanks for today’s graphic. (smile)
October 24th, 2009 at 8:36 am
My 3 step suggestion for Chrysler’s “ENVI” division:
1. Scrap everything but the Circuit (if there was really anything else to scrap),
2. Strike a deal with Aptera to build the 2e.
3. Make a profit.
/Is it really a good idea to take all your old crap and start stuffing batteries in them?? Probably not. Leave that to the DIY’ers EV conversions.
//Nice and edgy. Good one, Statik.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Shame if true.
Chrysler had some really nice utility in their electric cars. The two Jeeps and the T&C were evs that you could use for more than just getting from here to there.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Shame if true.
Chrysler had some really nice utility in their electric cars. The two Jeeps and the T&C were evs that you could use for more than just getting from here to there.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I thought the Jeep Patriot was a good idea. It was the only ev that had some rough and tumble to it. Everything else that is coming seems so fragile and has the name to prove it. Leaf, Karma, etc.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Lou Rhodes, Vice President-Advanced Vehicle Engineering and President of ENVI initially announced that at least 4 EV would be to market by 2013. We know that Chrysler has signed an agreement with A123 for Nanophosphate lithium-ion prismatic cell batteries. The deal with Fiat may change the direction of model choice from Jeep Patriot and Van to smaller vehicles.
=D~
October 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Good article Statik. After reading through it I wonder if the bigger elephant in the room may be…what is the future of Chrysler LLC. in totality? I’ve pondered that one a lot especially since they emerged through Bankruptcy. If you caught Steve Rattner’s peice on the whole Auto Bailout (See CNN Money or Fortune magazine–great read), Steve says the “cupboard is bare” regarding Chrysler and insinuating they really have no products in the pipeline. Right there’s a clue about ENVI, (they’ve got nothing!). I can’t see a future for this Company—not as it stands now anyway. If I had to guess, I would say the nano-second the Fiats are ready to be built in American factories, Chrysler and Dodge car brands will be dissolved. The company will probably look like:
Fiat – cars and small crossovers
Ram – Pick-ups of all sizes
Jeep – SUV’s like always
Since Chrysler as a brand would go away, there would probably be a name change for the company to something llike Fiat Automotive America. And there you have it. Marchionne, not having money to throw into vehicle developement will roll out in front of the gov’t. an all-electric Fiat 500 and maybe a Jeep Wrangler EREV to prove this company is “worthy” of the DOE money. The EREV minivan, the Dodge Circuit, the Patriot EREV are probably shelved indefinitely. Seriously, if they were indeed working on these cars, they would be proud as a peacock and screaming their virtues from the top of every hill. No, instead we get a “yes we’re busy but we can’t talk about it.” Please.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:18 am
That last quote is perfect: “When asked if there had been any new developments and/or why there had not been any news of late, Mr. Kappa alluded to forthcoming news, “Nothing about our EV programs to announce today, but stay tuned. Lots of activity here.””
My guess is the only “activity” happening is from folks like Statik asking questions!
October 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am
6.
Guy Incognito Says:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Envy? Yeah, that’s a great name.
How about gluttony, pride, avarice, & lust? Those are great names too.
The European version of the Volt, the Ampera, has been scrapped.
And now here we have suggestions that Chrysler’s ENVI lineup has been scrapped as well.
Meanwhile, GM is not advertising the Volt like they should.
Actions really do speak louder than words, no?
401 days and counting lol
=D~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I know the announcements, press releases, specs, and one offs. None of it ever gave the impression of a “real” car development program to me. It gave the impression of publicity seeking greenwashing and an attempt to latch onto the coattails of companies like Tesla, Fisker, GM, Mitsubishi, and Nissan that had real development going on. All this when gas was @$4 and the bankruptcy/bailout vultures were circling.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Buyers are willing to pay $64,800 for a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 4dr 4×4. The Jeep Patriot runs about $23,000 including options. An A123 Jeep Patriot at $32,500 (less $7500) will be very attractive.
=D~
October 24th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Is it ok to hijack your own thread?
For those who have not heard it, next Wednesday ‘our’ own Bob Lutz races (does hot laps) against all comers (ok, a few cherry-picked drivers based on their car and who they are) at the Monticello Motor Club under the banner of ‘May the Best Car Win’.
The hook is he gets the ridiculously overpowered Cadillac CTS-V, with its 556 bhp supercharged 6.2L LSA V-8 engine, with all the practice time he can stand…and everyone else gets whatever 4 door in production they can bring. The quote from Bob at the press conference was “I proposed a track duel, “run what ya brung.”
And now…GM promo is there too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grb3FgW-q-w
Naturally, GM has also constructed a mini-site about it:
http://www.ctsvchallenge.com/
/no pink tie
/no top button
October 24th, 2009 at 9:53 am
HEY STATIK – FINALLY SEE THE LIGHT WITH GM AND THE VOLT ? Don’t forget your pledge to me ( and Bob Lutz ! ) !
October 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Volt – Real Customers – November 2010 – Eat Crow
/check
(=
October 24th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I think Chrysler has some smarts. They surprised the public back in May when they said they had three EV prototypes. I think they’ll surprise us again when they announce the roll-out to dealers. They, unlike GM, seem to know “loose lips sink ships” and promising to sell high tech tomorrow hurts your low tech sales today.
NPNS!
October 24th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’m no Lutz fan, not by any stretch. . . but I have to say, this is maximum Bob at his best — a very savvy marketing stunt — custom built for Lutz.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Electrify the caravan and the Jeep wrangler and they will have 2 winners with a lot of sales to jump start the new company,otherwise it may be curtains for Chrysler.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Its from the recent “Land of the Lost” movie, with Will Ferrer, check it out on Netflix and laugh your head off… a silly but very funny movie.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I never actually thought those Chrysler EREVs would become real, and I said so at the time.
When they introduced the ENVI program, they were desperately trying to find someone to purchase Chrysler from their holding company. So I believe ENVI was just a way for them to generate buzz. Then the recession hit, and Chrysler again used ENVI as part of the rationale for the first bailout.
But from a technical perspective, the battery required to make a workable EREV Jeep, SUV, or minivan is currently not cost viable.
The best we can hope for right now is a sport wagon or microvan like the Chevy Orlando. And if you click on the picture of the Orlando interior here:
http://www.chevrolet.com/future-vehicles/orlando/
The cargo area is not bad for a compact car platform. GM should definitely make an EREV version of the Orlando!
October 24th, 2009 at 10:35 am
(click to show comment)
October 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Go Bob Lutz!
the scary part is that GM would have been worse off without him..
October 24th, 2009 at 10:38 am
LOL! Sounds fair to me !
October 24th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Who doesn’t need a $61,000, 4,300 lb, 560 hp, 14 mpg Cadillac?
/ At an estimated top speed of 191 mph, I hope the Government Motors branch contacts the Homeland Security branch to screen potential buyers. Imagine the damage an Al Qaeda terrorist could do behind the controls of this missile.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Here’s what we know.
Chrysler announced their plans for EVs at a coincidentally extremely PR demanding moment. Likely they were actually working on the Dodge Circuit, with the idea of competing with Tesla for high end EV sports cars with A123 who cut them a deal early on to get seen.
They were shortly thereafter taken over by a European company. Europeans are not into EVs anywhere near as much as Americans. They are used to high gas prices, they have 70mpg turbo micro diesel cars that go 0-60 in 15 seconds and they’re happy with it.
The cost of a Jeep EREV would likely be quite high. The Volt which is a $18,000 Cruze with batteries and an electric motor is $40,000-$48,000. It has the lowest drag coefficient of any GM ever except the EV1 and they still will only get 40 miles hypermiling. The batteries necessary for a Jeep EREV to get 40 miles would be VERY expensive. The same with the T&C. You’d be talking $60,000 easy for either. A very esoteric price tag, especially when they probably figured not all that many green people buy Jeeps and minivans. The Circuit would be an extremely low volume seller, even Tesla who undeniably controls the entire high end EV sports car market segment is only selling about 100/month. Cut that in half for each of them to split?
They have not said anything more about their plans for ENVI vehicles.
My guess is that they have canceled the ENVI program.
That being said,
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carb-backs-off-a-bit-on-zev-mandate-orders-66k-phevs-sold-by-20/
CARB has mandated tens of thousands of ZEVs and PHEVs be sold by 2014..
They probably started working on an electric Fiat 500 recently which is in a market segment that is going to have tons of competition.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am
This could happen to a company that is operating from a position of strength, unfortunately Chrysler is in a position of weakness.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
What a dark, cloudy crystal ball you have, Hiyoyuki. My ball says Chrysler will be gone in 4; in 6 years GM will have resumed leading position in the auto world with Ford battling strongly. European companies will be struggling; Toyota and Honda losing some gleam but still doing fine; China beginning to rise up in the world as a player.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Not gunna look good if they get beat. Very real possibility.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Crow isn’t bad if you grill it right. Kinda like chicken.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:45 am
BUT STILL A BIT BITTER. smile
October 24th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I never thought ENVI was a real program to start with. The concepts that were rolled out were just about as real as the original Volt concept or the Model S on Letterman. Clearly the Circuit was the closest to being a reality, but with the Fiat take over, it’s not surprising that they might just scrap the whole thing, take the DOE money, stall for time and start all over with a Fiat based product.
October 24th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
And what became of the RWD Dodge ZEO EV?
http://garfwod.250free.com/Dodge_ZEO.jpg
=D~
October 24th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
If anyone has been watching the Tokyo Auto show, The priority has been the electric car. If Chrysler decides not to produce electric vehicles, they will just fall that much further behind.
October 24th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Toyota compact four-seater with a maximum speed of 100 kph, at a press preview for the Tokyo Motor Show at Toyota’s design center in Tokyo in September 2009.
http://garfwod.250free.com/FT-EV%20ll.jpg
With open door:
http://garfwod.250free.com/toyota-ft-ev-II.jpg
=D~
October 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
statik,
Did you notice under the “About the Challenge” tab, that Lutz isn’t really taking on ‘all comers’ ? I was a little disappointed, but hey the guy is like what, 78?
Here’s the disclaimer:
“Professional Challenge participants, if any, shall compete against a GM professional driver or appointed designee.”
October 24th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
2009 Tokyo Auto Show ~ Mitsubishi 4WD gasoline/electric
http://garfwod.250free.com/Mitsubishi%20PX-MiEV.jpg
=D~
October 24th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Chrysler going under only matters during the next election campaign cycle. If they’re still plugging along with mediocre cars, vans and trucks in mid-2011 – - – no one will care.
But if they fail… or have gone back to the well for more bailouts (I’m sorry… Development Loans) to get in the game late with some kind of BEV… then “We The People” will know which box to check while in the voting booth.
How’s that warm and fuzzy “Hope and Change” feeling doing for you right now?!
October 24th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Americans are very very racial toward Asians, with more and more competition from China and India, USA will go down hill FAST. I mean really fast!
Toyota will be no,1 one for sometime, and why Ford can’t succeed? look at the comments by Leslie:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704224004574489214080273996.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_lifestyle#articleTabs%3Dcomments
>>>>>>
By Leslie Anderson:
Leslie Anderson wrote: (your comment)
I was about to buy a new car and get rid of my 10 year old Camry. I visited a major Ford dealer in town. After talking to the salesperson for about 20 min. He introduced me to a manager called Tim, the moment Tim knew I was driving a Camry, he smirked and told me that Toyota is in the middle of the brake scandal, I didn’t believe that, then Tim showed me the memo from Ford Sales VVP in the Southeast, it was eye-poping. Ford has a sizable budget to exploit the Toyota tragedy in San Diego, they even encourage (smell $$$$$) people to blog online about their stories with Toyota brake system, aiming to destroy the Toyota reputation.
I was pissed how low those sales person can go, I left immediately and never visited another Ford dealer. After visiting Honda and GM dealers, I bought a Chevy Malibu. Very happy now!
October 24th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Wonder how Ford would be doing now if the President Bush $300 billion Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae “rescue fund” had not been signed into law? And if the multiple layers of GM & Chrysler automotive bailout “loans” had not been distributed.
I’m still shocked that John McCain didn’t stand up as the lone maverick to protect the American tax payer during this dollar devaluation frenzy. This would have solidified his standing as an American hero.
I am politically registered as “decline to state”. This is because I look at ALL candidates and vote for the best of the lot. I gauge both the Democrats and Republicans as being equally to blame for the drunken spending spree which we are dealing with.
Why bail out homeowners who bought more than they could possibly pay for? These home flippers deserved a good financial beating. There are people living in the USA who were not overextended at that time and who could have bought these homes from the banks.
Why provide Rick Wagoner’s GM with $8 billion, then another $8 billion, then another $4 billion to save union jobs? Why delay a normal bankruptcy? They ended up in the inevitable bankruptcy anyway.
If GM had gone down then Ford would have become much stronger. And GM dealers would be working under a different service bay sign.
This wouldn’t feel warm or fuzzy. But it would feel better than watching the national debt double.
=D~
October 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
GM Hype…it has no bounds. Just build great cars with exceptional service and warranty…and they will come.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
$32,500 A123 Jeep would be sweet. $25K even sweeter but neither were ever to be. Chrysler ENVI program was a marketing and bailout bait scam.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder, Hiyoyuki if you mean Americans are racist towards Asians. Different cultures yeah, but…. it’s pretty clear Americans like a lot of Asian things. I do hate saki, though. In fact, I don’t much like Japanese food. Chinese, Thai, yum-yum.
Careful not to label entire groups based upon one or two bad experiences. You did this with your example of the Ford dealer – just because there’s one example of a slimy sales approach at that dealer doesn’t indicate that Ford Motor Company will go belly up over that.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
The Nissan Leaf, at 100 miles per 8 hour charge is becoming a real contender for the mass market, or at least me. I’m looking to competetive pricing.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Sadly true
October 24th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Off topic,
Fisker Karma gets 22mpg in RE mode?
Autopia has an article I missed.
Fisker claims a 67 mpg rating, but that’s apparantly with 67 % of the driving (city and hwy) being done under “electric power” which I assume means grid power. If this is the case, then my math has it at 22 mpg during RE mode.
_______________________________
“Datz said the 67 mpg reflects city and highway driving, with 67 percent of the driving under electric power.”
Super-Luxe Fisker Karma Gets 67 MPG
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/09/fisker-karma-mpg/
October 24th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
The comments in here are getting more and more cynical every day. We really have no idea the direction Chrysler is going to take, I think we all need to wait and see what Nov 4th will bring.
Every one needs to calm down with the apocalyptic prophesies I keep seeing in here and stick to facts.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Add,
At second look, there’s a nonsensical reference to WH/mile (” as little as 21 kilowatts per kilometer”) in that article, so who knows how accurate the rest of it is.
/ The likely mistake is 210 Wh/km which would be about 340 Wh/mile.
October 24th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Oh please stop with the racist comments. Now that Asian companies might be deemed “behind” GM, you start seeing a lot of the nuts come out of the wood work. Just ignore them, apparently they are having trouble with American success, that will only continue to grow.
October 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
The Leaf is really the only contender for mass market. Who else is even hinting at the kind of numbers they are saying they can put out in 2011? 150,000 units.
October 24th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
To bring the hijack back to the thread, albeit late…
I wonder what It would be like to wonder the halls of the Chrysler Tech Center 15 years after Robert Lutz spoke these words…
“I’m talking about how we totally redesigned our organization at Chrysler”
http://www.cdf.org/issue_journal/chrysler_vice_chairman_robert_lutz_on_design.html
Nice building, back then I thought it held great promise. Talk about shattered dreams. The graphic is appropriate.
October 24th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
If they had only Morphed up GEM into a basic roadable electric..
http://www.gemcar.com/
October 24th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
OK, what happened? is it me and the storm outside and my satellite Internet connection?
I am trying to reply to other posts and I get my own?
The comment windows in the windows just disappeared???
/What?
October 24th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
This is a test response to your test….which has totally disappeared now.
/test successful
October 24th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Sorry I’ve been busy trying to upgrade the site, comments version 3! actually almost lost the site.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Do Not be sorry. Folks
October 24th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
The Volt is NOT grey – it’s
“du Lutz Silver”
October 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
In case you haven’t heard it recently, thanks for making this this such a great site.
Actually, none of us really care about the Volt, we just like hanging out here
October 24th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Sorry for the incomplete post earlier, but folks really do appreciate your efforts…
October 24th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Looks like the reply button is missing and we’re back to sequential posts. (Which is fine with me. I hate going back over-and-over to catch everything.)
No worries, Lyle. We all luv ya!
I think ENVI never got off the ground and never will. Be nice to have one of those wheel-motor 4×4 jeeps though. . That 200c was also a sweet looking EV concept. They will probably build it, but, with a V-6 gas motor.
Ram trucks will survive longer than the rest of it, thus, the split from Dodge cars. I can see Fiat selling off the line since it is not in Fiat’s ’small car’ way of doing things.
I can’t see all this doom of America and Americans giving up on manufacturing cars and trucks. It’s not a good thing financially or strategically to import all your manufactured goods. It is possible (barely) that Tesla and Fisker-like start-ups could take over some of that.
There is still the great center of America that shuns foreign cars and trucks. Most of us wouldn’t be caught dead in a furrin truck.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I went for a spin around Capitol Hill in the Circuit EV with Lou Rhodes nearly ten months ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-rGM-xQp8
November 4th is interesting timing. Maybe they’ll pull the wraps off something at SEMA. Maybe not. eMopar, anyone?
October 25th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Ohh we have a winner!.
October 25th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Building the Dodge Circuit is easy. Even the non-talent, non-engineers, at Tesla could do it. Or more correctly Lotus could and will do the heavy lifting, once again. . They need do only a modicum of polishing. It would be easier for Lotus the second time around. Chrysler has infinitely more engineers than Tesla who essentially has NONE. (He quit).
When Chrysler showed the ENVI prototypes, it already had drivable cars, so the electric drivetrain was already engineered for prototyping at minimum. So was the EREV generator, with two different version of the same engine; one producing 45KW and another producing 60KW. I would guess a 1.8 and 2.0/2.4 World engine running Atkinson cycle. Which is nothing but cam timing when you have VVT capability in the engine already.
The platforms for the Circuit, Lotus Elise, T&C , and Patriot exist, with production lines and tooling already purchased and in place, unlike Volt & Cruze. There is just a whole lot less things to do. Sort of the difference in electrifying a RAV4 and the EV-1. One could have been done in a garage as conversion; just as many posters here have done in equivalence. The other was a ground up design from scratch that mandated a full development cycle from an automaker. Batteries have been chosen from A123 who has/will be engineering them and signed a contract to do so; once again not Chrysler’s job. Even Tesla had to do that ,while no automaker has to do so anymore; it a supplier’s job.
Chrysler may not have deep pockets as a mass automaker, but they are very deep in comparison to Tesla. For crying out loud all these EV designs, were all worked out by college students for a grade in engineering school. . Parallel,
Series, HEVs, PHEVS, EREVS and BEVs were all built by grad students of Dr. Frank at UC Davis.
Now if you ask how refined they Chrysler designs might be, I agree that they might not be as as will done as GM i doing. but a whole hell of a lot better than Tesla or Fisker are likely to produce any time soon.. So what if a Volt can make 230 mpge, and a less refined Chrysler version, in a different market, can only do 210 mpge. What else is even close?
October 25th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Chrysler : you are probably right, it’s a matter of time and they are gone
GM : they are coming back. If they can bury the ‘old GM’ mentality, they will be fine … until next time, if they lose their way again.
Ford : they acted just in time before the recession and at this point the public has the impression that it’s the best of the big 3. Products are as fine as GM’s but as a company they seem wiser for now. It might change if the Volt is a bigger success than anticipated.
Sales are bad for now but GM and Ford will prevail.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
lol
October 26th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Chysler is the home of the minivan! My wife wants the electrified T&C badly, get on it!
October 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
[...] 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 [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
[...] what is fate of the ENVI electric vehicle program? GM-Volt has published an op-ed over the weekend speculating about whether the whole [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
statik,
Your op-ed is being picked up by the blogs:
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/is-chryslers-envi-electric-vehicle-program-dead-or-just-working/#
October 26th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
A lot better than under the last bunch, thank you very much.
October 26th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I don’t see how.
October 26th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I’m sure glad that good old Bob has time for this stuff. Everything must be under control down a the RenCen, huh?
November 7th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Update: ENVI has indeed died.
——————
DETROIT (Reuters) – 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
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-BusinessofGreen/idUSTRE5A605N20091107?sp=true