Chrysler Plug-in Hybrid Minivan To Lead Parade Of New Models

A Chrysler plug-in hybrid minivan will reportedly arrive in 2016, ahead of several important new models coming soon from FiatChrysler. It’s about time.

It used to be that GM, Ford, and Chrysler were known as “The Big Three” in America, but for the past 30 years, it has been more like “Two and A Half Car Companies in Detroit,” as Chrysler has drifted in and out of corporate marriages with a variety of partners. First, Mercedes came calling and forged a more or less disastrous partnership in which outdated Mercedes chassis were foisted off on the public as “new” Chrysler models.

Under Mercedes’ guidance, Chrysler slipped further and further down the Consumer Reports reliability rankings. Not even Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche, with his luxuriant, flowing mustache, could entice customers into showrooms any more. Mercedes set Chrysler adrift with only a collection of second-class models to show for its dalliance with the German juggernaut.

Then came the economic meltdown in 2007, which forced Chrysler into a shotgun wedding with Fiat. Now, Fiat has never had the best of reputations in the US. (I owned one in the 70s and the memory is still so painful that I doubt I shall ever own another.) Nor, quite frankly, are its cars highly prized in other parts of the world. CEO Sergio Marcchione may count Ferrari and Alfa Romeo as prized possessions, but the majority of Fiat products run the gamut between so-so and ho-hum. Only the Fiat 500L extended wheelbase car seems to create much excitement in America.

There are two segments of the automobile market in America that are white hot — minivans and SUVs. The venerable Chrysler minivan, now known as the Town & Country, has soldiered on for more than 40 years. It has gotten smoother and more refined all the time, to the point where it is a competent and capable family hauler that can transport 7 people in comfort. It even gets decent fuel economy for a car that is actually little more than a box on wheels.

For reasons known only to all those smart people sitting in the hushed stillness of corporate boardrooms, no carmaker yet has seen fit to offer a plug-in hybrid minivan, but that is about to change. A new Chrysler Town & Country will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, and will be in showrooms in the the spring of 2016.

According to Automotive News, a plug-in hybrid version of the T&C will follow about 6 months after that. And how’s this for news? It is expected the plug-in car will have a fuel economy rating of 75 MPGe! It doesn’t matter how low gas prices go; that’s a number that will gladden the hearts and wallets of American families everywhere.

Chrysler plans to dip its toe into another market segment that is literally on fire at the moment — SUVs. A front-wheel-drive SUV will appear in 2018. It will share a Fiat platform and many components with the 200. Before that gets here, an all-wheel-drive crossover with three rows of seats will debut in 2017. It will share a platform and many features with the redesigned Town & Country, but without its sliding doors and Stow ‘n Go seats. Best of all, a plug-in hybrid version is scheduled for late 2017.

The present-day Chrysler 200 and Chrysler 300 are surprisingly good cars. With any luck, the new minivan and SUVs will impress shoppers as well.

City of Auburn Hills Receives Four Plug-in Hybrid Chrysler Town & Country Minivans from Chrysler Group LLC as Part of Two-Year Demonstration Project

PRESS RELEASE

The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, took delivery today of four Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Chrysler Town & Country minivans from Chrysler Group LLC as part of a two-year demonstration project that is a partnership between Chrysler Group and the U.S. Department of Energy. Chrysler is investing $15.8 million into the project and the U.S. Department of Energy is contributing $10 million. Only 25 test vehicles will be created, according to Abdullah A. Bazzi, Senior Manager of Electrified Power Train Programs for Chrysler Group.

"This Town & Country minivan is the only minivan to boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain in combination with flex fuel capability," says Bazzi. "We're pleased to have four of these 25 vehicles being tested right here in Chrysler's backyard where they can get real-world use and be evaluated promptly."

Auburn Hills will use the Chrysler-owned vehicles for testing purposes to evaluate everyday city and highway driving. Staff selected to evaluate the vehicles will regularly report all driving and charging experiences back to Chrysler. City Manager Pete Auger says it is an honor for the City to participate in this demonstration project.

"Chrysler has been an outstanding corporate citizen of Auburn Hills and we are privileged to be participating in the evaluation of these vehicles," says Auger.

As part of the program, each vehicle will receive one Level II EVSE charging station, which will be installed at the Civic Center Campus on North Squirrel and the Auburn Hills Department of Public Services Building on Brown Road. Installation costs for the charging stations will be borne by the City and will remain at the City following project completion.

The agreement between Chrysler Group and the City anticipates approximately 16,800 miles will be driven on each demonstration vehicle. Routine maintenance such as oil changes will be the responsibility of the City. Chrysler will be responsible for any repairs that may be required as part of the testing process. Auger notes that employees assigned the vehicles have been recognized for their outstanding work efforts.

"When you see these specially marked Chrysler minivans on the road, you can be assured that they are being driven by City of Auburn Hills employees who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their jobs, the residents and the entire Auburn Hills community," affirms Auger.

In July 2011, Auburn Hills became the first municipality in Michigan to adopt an electric vehicle infrastructure ordinance to facilitate the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. The ordinance sets the stage for the City to become a leader in incorporating electric vehicles into its community and economic development plans. In October 2011, Chrysler Group LLC delivered four PHEV Ram 1500 pickup trucks to the City of Auburn Hills as part of a national, three year demonstration program for evaluation and testing of the trucks by the City's Community Development, Police and Public Services Departments.

About Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, is home to 21,000 residents and also serves as Michigan's global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here, including Chrysler Group LLC and Borg Warner headquarters. Auburn Hills' residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state's largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.

About Chrysler Group LLC Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. www.chryslergroupllc.com

Chrysler to present City of San Francisco with 14 PHEVs as part of a 3-year demo project

Tomorrow, Chrysler Group LLC will present 14 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to the City of San Francisco as part of a three-year evaluation program.

The city will evaluate the vehicles in real-world driving conditions and report regularly to Chrysler Group LLC all driving and charging experiences with the demonstration vehicles.

Chrysler is deploying a test and demo fleet of 25 Chrysler PHEV minivans and 140 Ram 1500 PHEV pickup trucks to 12 partners including local municipalities, state governments, universities and energy companies across the United States.


Source: Green Car Congress