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Chrysler ends hybrid adventure before it can begin (LA Times)

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by randreed, Oct 29, 2008.

  1. randreed

    randreed Same as it ever was . . .

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    Chrysler ends hybrid adventure before it can begin | View Web
    10/29/2008
    Los Angeles Times - Online
    Before it even started selling them, Chrysler is spiking its hybrids.

    The troubled automaker said Tuesday that it would discontinue production of its Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrid sport utility vehicles at year-end, when the company shuts down the Delaware plant that makes the two trucks. Chrysler is closing the plant because sales of the non-hybrid versions of the SUVs have been selling poorly. Through September, the company has sold 35,020 of the vehicles, a 40% drop from the 57,979 it sold a year ago.

    The move will leave Chrysler without an alternative powertrain model for at least a year and probably longer. No other models are in line to get hybridized, though last month Chrysler unveiled two plug-in hybrids and a pure electric car, saying it would produce one of the models -- either a Jeep Wrangler, a Chrysler Town & Country or a two-seat sports car -- by late 2010.

    The irony of the plant closure is that the long-awaited hybrids, Chrysler's first foray into alternative powertrains, haven't even hit dealership lots. After months of promotions and promises, they simply are nowhere to be found.

    The company has said it has 3,000 orders for the hybrid models nationwide. Yet Chrysler's sales report for September makes no mention of hybrids, while sales figures published by Autodata Corp. show none have sold. Dealer inventory searches on the Dodge and Chrysler websites revealed none in major metropolitan areas known to be hybrid hotbeds, including Seattle, San Francisco and L.A.

    Calls to local dealers were no more fruitful. A salesman at Glendale Dodge said he soon expected to take delivery of three Dodge Durango hybrids. He said there was no waiting list for the vehicles. A salesman at Alhambra Chrysler Jeep Dodge said he was "not even sure when to expect the first one."

    The closure of the Newark, Del., plant was announced late last week amid news that Chrysler was laying off up to 25% of its salaried workforce.

    Chrysler charges a significant premium for the hybrid versions of the mid-size SUV models. The Durango, with a base price of $45,340, comes at a 59% premium over the non-hybrid Durango, while the Aspen hybrid, at $45,570, is 30% more expensive than the traditional drivetrain Aspen.

    That's a considerably higher hybrid premium than found elsewhere in the market, a cost that is partially explained by the fact that, lacking its own hybrid technology, Chrysler buys it from General Motors Corp.

    Toyota's Highlander hybrid, for example, costs $34,700, 25% above what a non-hybrid version costs. And although the Ford Escape hybrid carries a 45% premium above the non-hybrid version, at $29,305 it's still $16,000 cheaper than the Durango.

    According to Chrysler, the Durango hybrid is rated at 19 mpg in city driving and 20 mpg on the highway, compared with 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway for the non-hybrid version. The company's site indicates that the Aspen is not yet EPA rated, but the company says it gets 20 mpg city/22 highway.

    Overall, sales of hybrid SUVs are down 11.5% through September compared with last year and light truck and SUV sales are down 20.6%.

    With none available anywhere, Chrysler has an enticing offer for would-be buyers: The company is offering $1,000 cash back on either one.
     
    #1 randreed, Oct 29, 2008
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #2 cwerdna, Dec 30, 2008
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I think the new Chrysler management has realized that the two-mode is too much. It is sized wrong and targeted for the wrong body, not the hybrid minivan we're all waiting for.

    I understand the current Chrysler management is looking at an EV alternative drive system for their vehicles. You would be able to buy either the gas or EV version of the same vehicle ... an interesting prospect.

    The average power needed by a vehicle is driven by the aerodynamic and rolling drag. But if you design a small engine for a fixed power range, it can be very efficient and small. Use it to charge the batteries and you'll have a practical vehicle that can operate either from the grid or extended range.

    IMHO, this is the direction I expect to see from Chrysler and or they've opened up their archives from PNGV. They had a pretty nice concept car in 2001.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Dec 30, 2008
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Has anyone considered that a series hybrid is the ideal drive train for a gas turbine engine? Very small, light and efficient for the power available and the reason they aren't used now is that driveability sucks. But in a series hybrid the turbine would only drive a generator.
    Chrysler once had a working prototype gas turbine car, I wonder if they ever will again?
     
    #4 patsparks, Dec 30, 2008
  5. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    Chrysler management is looking for anyone to buy Chrysler. So far they have resisted breaking up the company because most of it isn't worth anything. With few exceptions, Chrysler model line-up is obsolete.

    Cerberus bought Chrysler for Chrysler Financial, not the manufacturing business. It has been no secret that the manufacturing side was on sale from the day Damlier paid to get rid of it.

    The Durango Hybrid is dead because the Durango is dead, replaced by the Journey.
     
    #5 JSH, Dec 30, 2008
  6. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi Pat...,

    Yep, I actually saw the Chrysler turbine car when I was a kid.

    Volvo investigated using a Turbo-Generator in a series hybrid back in the 90's. Do not know what happened to it.

    The present Volvo series hybrid concept (diesel/generator) with wheel motors looks quite good. Saves on the Differential, CV Joint and shafts, Transmission costs and Transmission losses. Looking at it, I am supprised that GM did not do this on their series hybrid. GM has a single motor, but cannot believe a two half sized motors would be more expensive than a motor and all the drive train stuff.

    The main issues with turbines is they are not as efficient at small diameters and the blades must resist very high temperatures for them to be effiicient (expensive hard to machine metal alloys). Most automotive turbine engine concepts use rotary regenerators - which are ceramic disks with holes in them. The exhaust heats up a portion of the disk and air is sucked through the rest of the disk and into the engine intake. Thus preheating the intake air. Which reduces power, but increases efficiency. This is expensive too. If they could figure out how to make the turbine blades into the regenerator elements, that might make progress. It would reduce material costs, because the blades are cooled (like pistons in cars are by oil spray) and thus do not need to be high temperature blade metal.

    Another problem with mechanical drive turbine cars was the transmission losses, because of the large ratio. That would be avoided with an electric drive/turbine prime mover.

    The availability of high speed power transistors and rectifiers allows efficient extracion of DC energy from a high speed alternator. Small turbines run at up to 200K RPM. These electronics were not available till the 1990's.

    A 55 % thermally efficient stationary turbine power plant has two or more combustor stages, besides regenerators. Besides being even bigger in diameter than an aircraft turbine. This is impractical in aircraft, let alone cars.
     
    #6 donee, Dec 30, 2008
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