CEO Says Chrysler Will Develop Hybrid - LA Times

[hatrack]

Yeah, whatever . . .

"DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group doesn't intend to cede the growing hybrid car market to rivals such as Ford Motor Co. and will offer front-wheel-drive hybrid vehicles in the U.S. perhaps as early as 2006, group Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said in an interview.

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Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Mich., has been emphasizing diesel vehicles rather than hybrids in the U.S. to bolster its fuel-efficiency ratings. Hybrids combine gasoline engines and electric motors to improve performance while reducing gas consumption. Zetsche would not identify the vehicles Chrysler might introduce as hybrids, but the popular PT Cruiser and Dodge and Chrysler minivans have been viewed as likely candidates.

He did say that rather than develop its own hybrid systems from scratch, DaimlerChrysler probably will license the technology from another manufacturer.

Toyota Motor Corp., which developed the first retail hybrid with the 1998 Prius sedan in Japan, has said it will sell its system to all comers and has licensed its hybrid technology to Nissan Motor Co. for a 2005 Altima hybrid sedan. A Toyota spokesman said Wednesday that he wasn't aware of any deal with Chrysler."

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[phantom power]

1. Seems like a diesel hybrid would really kick ass.

Do modern diesels still have that requirement for heating the engine first before they can start?

[7 Lazy P]

3. Yes, but not as long.

The introduction of common rail fuel injection along with sophisticated computer engine controls have made the latest generation of diesels very quiet, clean, and much easier to start. The smoke and noise is pretty much a thing of the past for new engines. Unfortunately, due to the inherent durability of diesels, it may be some time before the older smokers you still see on the road are retired. I still have a mid-50's Ford diesel tractor that was phased out for field use 20 years ago that is still going strong as a chore tractor.

[midnight armadillo]

2. Way to be on the ball

Car companies are such sheep. Way to take the lead there, Chrysler.

[kestrel91316]

4. Happy to see that..................

Chrysler has finally noticed that WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE, HOUSTON.