http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...PDATE/710010423 Jim Press says that Chrysler "absolutely" expects to provide a hybrid, diesel or other environmentally-friendly version of each of its cars and trucks. "Every car will be impacted by advances in power-train," Press said in an interview with The News. "Plug-in hybrid, diesel hybrid, fuel-cell hybrid, a petrol hybrid…they're all in the mix." This ought to be interesting...
Well, besides the obvious reaction of "it's about f-ing time", I hope they can make it work. There are a few Chrysler models that I'd love to see as hybrid versions. Specifically, I'd like to see them hybridize the smaller Jeeps (Liberty & Wrangler). Either of those cars fit my family's (family=me+wife) lifestyle perfectly. But as long as they guzzle gas & belch out pollutants, I can't bring myself to get one. Especially now that I've experienced Prius nirvana.
I got an interesting phone call a couple of days ago, from some gal asking a lot of questions about cars. There were questions about whether I might buy a diesel car (maybe), would I buy a hybrid (already have), whether I've heard of a bunch of smaller cars, like a Mini Cooper, etc. Did I ever hear about, and she lists a bunch of small cars, some I wasn't familiar with, including the Smart. I was asked about the Prius, and was able to say I have an almost-year-old Prius, and yes, of course I would consider a Prius, I already bought one! I was asked all sorts of things, and asked for ratings on how I felt about certain cars. There seemed to be quite a few questions about Minis and PT Cruisers. I don't think all that highly of PT Cruisers, and said so. I wonder who was asking all these questions. It might have been Chrysler. One of the car makers, or a market research firm sure wanted my opinions, and it was mostly in regard to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. It seemed like Chrysler asking the questions, because it seemed like a car company that suddenly discovered the topic of fuel-efficient cars, after ignoring the market segment for so long! Harry
what a brilliant idea! efficient small cars that AREN'T econoboxes. Despite what others say, it's obvious Toyota has a strong effect on the market. I mean, if what the industry say is true, then why is everyone jumping on the bandwagon?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 1 2007, 05:02 PM) [snapback]519968[/snapback]</div> Speaking of jumping on the bandwagon, I found this site today - shows how popular the environmental movement is becoming - it's calling itself "The Latest in Green Gossip"...... :huh: http://www.ecorazzi.com/
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JackDodge @ Oct 1 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]519915[/snapback]</div> Well, duh! Isn't that why Chrysler kidnapped Jim Press from Toyota in the first place?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Oct 2 2007, 12:15 PM) [snapback]520347[/snapback]</div> Or when GM hired Lutz away from Chrysler to make their cars better looking. Hasn't amounted to much has it? I'm sure that Cerberus won't get what they hoped for because Chrysler employees don't speak Japanese (that is, don't work the way that the Toyota employees do). I hope that Press got his money up front because the Detroit companies don't change no matter what's at stake. Chrysler doesn't have the processes built in that made Press look so good. My favorite part of the Press move is that all of the Chrysler boneheads who have been criticizing the Tundra will have to say nice things about it or bite their tongues since Press is the one who brought the Tundra to market. :lol:
