Chrysler News: FCA's New Powertrain Chief Has Big Ambitions for Electrification

[William Maley]

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been lagging behind other automakers in terms of electrification, tending to focus more on how many more vehicles they drop the Hellcat V8 into. But that appears to be changing.

The Detroit Bureau had the chance to speak with FCA's new global powertrain chief, Micky Bly. He said that within the next twelve to eighteen months, FCA would try to reposition itself as one of the industry’s leaders in electrification.

“We’re not leaders now,” said Bly, “but we will be soon.”

Bly wouldn't go into detail as to how FCA plans to do this. But we already know that a number of FCA brands have plans for hybrid and electric vehicles - including a new Fiat 500e. Sources also revealed that there is the possibility of the Hellcat V8 being teamed with a mild-hybrid setup that could add 130 pound-feet, and only add around 100 pounds to the overall curb weight. There is also the possibility of a production version of the Chrysler Portal concept, going with a full electric powertrain.

Source: The Detroit Bureau

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[balthazar]

current 500e sales, year to date : 272.

Good luck with your speedy, 12-month 'global electric leader' plan, which seemingly largely means issuing press releases about (possible) electric vehicle plans.

Edited June 30, 2019 by balthazar

[smk4565]

Electrification takes a lot of R & D dollars, something FCA doesn't seem to have as most of their product is really old.  

And the fact that t hey are still talking about the hellcat makes me think they aren't looking much to the future.

[FAPTurbo]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[ocnblu]

Hellcat is LIFE

[riviera74]

FCA needs to rationalize their product lines long before they take electrification seriously.  They are too broke to do anything else at this time.

[Drew Dowdell]

2 hours ago, riviera74 said:

FCA needs to rationalize their product lines long before they take electrification seriously.  They are too broke to do anything else at this time.

They're not broke. They have no debt and they're making a profit.  They're just spending all their R&D on Alfa Romeo... which is dumb, and some new Jeeps.

They need new engines for all the new Jeeps coming out.  Something like 4 new big jeeps coming??

[David]

36 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

They're not broke. They have no debt and they're making a profit.  They're just spending all their R&D on Alfa Romeo... which is dumb, and some new Jeeps.

They need new engines for all the new Jeeps coming out.  Something like 4 new big jeeps coming??

Totally agree, why can they not let Alfa stand on its own and die. Spend the profits on where consumers are spending it and reinvest into the American Badges.

[riviera74]

4 hours ago, dfelt said:

Totally agree, why can they not let Alfa stand on its own and die. Spend the profits on where consumers are spending it and reinvest into the American Badges.

Correction: let Alfa Romeo AND FIAT stand on their own and DIE.