Chrysler's electric future

Chrysler has come clean with the American people. The car maker's submission to the US Congress (more here) has mounted a case for financial support from US taxpayers on a number of grounds, not least of which is its prospective low-emissions product strategy.

We've had glimpses of the company's upcoming new models -- presented as prototypes or concept cars -- but with this submission, there's now proof positive that zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and hybrids will figure large in Chrysler's forward planning.

The first electric vehicle (EV) to go into production will be the Dodge Circuit sports car (pictured). This car will be followed by other battery-powered vehicles in due course. Chrysler will also introduce a hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pick-up next year and plug-in hybrid-drive cars with internal-combustion range-extenders are also planned. Among these, we would expect the 200C EV that made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last month (also pictured).

Chrysler subsidiary Global Electric Motor Cars LLC (GEM) is already building electric cars and the 'ENVI' in-house group is developing new electric drive systems which will power front-, rear- and four-wheel drive models.

The GEM Peapod EV has already gone on display at NAIAS and the ENVI group is working on two more EVs to be unveiled next year and 2011. ENVI is also working on three range-extended electric vehicles to be rolled out between 2012 and 2014. There's a fourth car due in 2013, but that will be available in both range-extended hybrid-drive forms.

The difference between range-extended and hybrid cars is that the former employs a smaller-displacement internal-combustion engine as a means of generating electric power on the fly, but not motive power. Hybrids, by comparison, use internal-combustion power for both means. In addition to the RAM hybrid due next year, Chrysler will develop another hybrid-drive vehicle for roughly 2013 and a second-generation RAM hybrid for late 2013.

Not all the future innovation contained within the submission document concerns alternative forms of motive power and zero emissions. Chrysler will also introduce 'uconnect', an umbrella name for in-car communications, information and entertainment systems. It covers such things as 'backseat TV', satnav, Bluetooth and WiFi (Internet) connectivity.

Chrysler is also working on a new drivetrain system for 4WDs, comprising an Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect to reduce fuel consumption. Then there's Chrysler's Blind Spot Monitor which keeps tabs on third-party vehicles in the car's ¾-rear blind spot. A variation on this is Rear Cross Path, a safety aid to inform the driver that a third-party vehicle is passing behind the car while it's back. This system looks sideways for other vehicles as the driver is backing out of angled parking spots, for example.

In the product portfolio context, we've already reported Chrysler's moves to upgrade the 300C (more here) and the Jeep Grand Cherokee (more here), but the company also plans to leverage the broader diversity of models available through its alliance with Fiat.

Among the cars soon to join Chrysler's range are a B-segment sedan and a hatch, both due this year. The schedule for new-car releases commencing 2010 and running through to 2015 will comprise:

2011: an A-segment hatchback, another B-segment hatch, 2WD and all-wheel drive variants of a new Jeep model range and a large pick-up (described as 'contract manufacturing')
2012: a compact sedan, compact SUV, mid-size sedan and a commercial van (Ducato?)
2013: A mid-size hybrid sedan, a large MPV, a crossover SUV (contract manufacturing), a 'lifestyle truck' and a mid-size front-wheel drive 'UV'
2014: A mid-size MPV and a compact 'speciality' SUV
2015: Full-size pick-up, full-size luxury sedan and full-size volume-selling sedan

These models don't include the EVs and upgrades of known (current) models.

The sting in the tail of this submission is the estimation by Chrysler's bean-counters that the US government's failure to extend the US $5 billion loan the company is requesting, will inevitably lead to 'Chapter 11' proceedings. This, the company speculates, would cost the government US $65 billion worth of income tax revenue from laid-off employees, plus outgoings of US $55 billion for social security.

According to Chrysler's submission, as many as 40,000 Chrysler employees could lose their jobs, with as many as three million jobs lost nationwide, including staff at dealers and suppliers. This would have a snowball effect on the whole automotive industry, potentially collapsing and dragging down the rest of the economy with it.