Chrysler News: Chrysler and Fiat To Pass On Hybrid and Electric Vehicles For The Timebeing

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

August 7, 2013

Bob Lee, head of Fiat and Chrysler global Powertrain said that the company will not be investing in electrified powertrains till consumers are willing to pay for it. He said this at the 2013 CAR Management Briefing’s Advanced Powertrain Forum this week.

Lee explained that consumers aren't willing to pony up the money to cost of battery packs, electric motors and chargers that hybrids and electric vehicles are saddle with. He said that it might take up to ten years before consumers are willing to pay for the tech.

"Many customers want to reduce C02, but they aren't willing to change their lifestyle or pay the cost -- yet," said Lee.

In the meantime, Chrysler will focus on developing more diesel and turbocharged engines to help improve fuel economy.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[Drew Dowdell]

Because Diesel

[David]

Very Cool, Hopefully CNG also.

[Robert Hall]

I wonder when we will see diesel cars from Chrysler in the US.

[Soku47]

Ha. I can't see having a diesel in a Fiat. I really can't.

[Drew Dowdell]

Why not? They have them in the EU.

[J Reinhardt]

I'm not so sure about this decision. Wouldn't this put Chrysler behind all their competitors that already offer hybrid or electric cars? Namely Chevrolet (Volt, Malibu hybrid) Toyota (prius, camry hybrid) Nissan (leaf, altima hybrid), Hyundai etc?

It already takes a few years or so develop this tech so why would they wait 10?

I don't think it's true that customers aren't willing to pay for it either. The volt and leafs sales are increasing each month and they just hit a sales record for the month of August.