Chrysler, owned by Cerberus Capital Management, has begun production of several hybrid vehicles as of last week, according to the troubled automaker. Like its larger U.S. competitors, Chrysler is desperately trying to shift its product mix into more fuel-efficient cars, trucks and SUVs as buyers look for the best fuel economy possible while not giving up the creature comforts of gas guzzlers.
Chrysler is now building the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs with hybrid capability in its Newark, Delaware plant and the company says both will be available on dealer showrooms soon. "Soon" can't come soon enough and it'll be interesting to see what gas mileage these SUVs have, even after undergoing a hybrid transformation.
Chrysler desperately needs a hit here, but this sounds like a "me too" approach similar to General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM)'s Tahoe hybrid and other vehicles. Yes, the fuel economy moves into the V6 level with these hybrid SUVs. Will that make customers buy them at a time when 4-cylinder vehicles are blowing off dealer lots, though?
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