Patriot CRD for the US????? Could be! Read the highlighted text in bold magenta below:
read below:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/21/autos/chrysler.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007062111
Chrysler promises new hybrids, better mileage
No. 4 automaker seeks to catch up with Japanese carmakers offering more efficiency, less environmental impact.
June 21 2007: 11:33 AM EDT
CHELSEA, Mich.(Reuters) -- Chrysler Group on Thursday said it would roll out new hybrid vehicles, streamline its cars and trucks and introduce more diesel engines in a bid to improve the fuel economy of its product line-up.
Chrysler, which is being acquired by Cerberus Capital Management from DaimlerChrysler (down $1.24 to $90.59, Charts) in a $7.4 billion deal, has trailed other major, competing automakers in key indicators of fuel economy.
"Chrysler Group is focused directly on improving fuel efficiency across our vehicle lineup," product development chief Frank Klegon said in a statement.
"We have developed and are implementing a series of major initiatives - including a bigger push in hybrid and clean-diesel technology - to meet the needs of American consumers."
U.S. automakers have seen their market share eroded in recent years, a trend many analysts and executives attribute in part to the reputation Japanese automakers like Toyota (up $0.97 to $124.67, Charts) and Honda (up $0.06 to $35.49, Charts) have established for offering better fuel economy.
Like other automakers GM (up $0.06 to $35.40, Charts, Fortune 500) and Ford (down $0.04 to $8.82, Charts, Fortune 500), Chrysler is also facing the prospect of tougher federal fuel economy standards under a pending bill in the U.S. Senate that would mandate fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2020.
The current corporate average fuel economy - or CAFE standard - is 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and 22.5 for light trucks.
Klegon, who was speaking to reporters at the automaker's proving grounds, said Chrysler would introduce a new "mild hybrid" vehicle equipped with a battery pack designed to power the vehicle at stops, improving fuel efficiency.
In addition, Chrysler plans to use hybrid technology developed jointly with General Motors Corp. and BMW AG in vehicles beyond the two hybrid SUVs it had already announced that it would introduce next year.
The automaker also said it would offer a clean-burning diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee designed to meet the tougher emission standards imposed in U.S. states such as California.
The BLUETEC technology for reducing nitrogen oxides in diesel exhaust that will be used in the vehicle was developed by Chrysler's parent Daimler, which is expected to complete its sale of the unit as soon as next month.
Klegon said Chrysler was considering offering a four-cylinder diesel engine in the U.S. market, a common passenger car engine configuration in Europe that could offer fuel economy gains of up to 30 percent over gasoline engines.
Chrysler, now the fourth-largest automaker in the U.S. market, relies on sales of trucks and SUVs, such as the Dodge Durango SUV and RAM pickup truck, for almost 70 percent of its total sales at a time when U.S. consumers are increasingly demanding lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The automaker's fuel economy average for passenger cars is the lowest of the six major automakers.
In addition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was singled out by the Environmental Protection Agency this year as the lowest-ranked SUV for fuel economy in its class, with just 12 miles per gallon in city driving.
Chrysler has also lagged other automakers in rolling out hybrid vehicles. Hybrid versions of the Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs are not due in showrooms until next year.
Chrysler is investing $3 billion in new plants in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Mexico intended to produce a family of more fuel-efficient V-6 engines and components.
Chrysler said the family of "Phoenix" engines, which will be available in 2010, would produce fuel efficiency gains of between 6 percent and 8 percent over comparable current engines.
By reducing vehicle weight and improving aerodynamics, Chrysler also expects to boost its fleet-wide fuel economy at least another 5 percent, the company said.
read below:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/21/autos/chrysler.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007062111
Chrysler promises new hybrids, better mileage
No. 4 automaker seeks to catch up with Japanese carmakers offering more efficiency, less environmental impact.
June 21 2007: 11:33 AM EDT
CHELSEA, Mich.(Reuters) -- Chrysler Group on Thursday said it would roll out new hybrid vehicles, streamline its cars and trucks and introduce more diesel engines in a bid to improve the fuel economy of its product line-up.
Chrysler, which is being acquired by Cerberus Capital Management from DaimlerChrysler (down $1.24 to $90.59, Charts) in a $7.4 billion deal, has trailed other major, competing automakers in key indicators of fuel economy.
"Chrysler Group is focused directly on improving fuel efficiency across our vehicle lineup," product development chief Frank Klegon said in a statement.
"We have developed and are implementing a series of major initiatives - including a bigger push in hybrid and clean-diesel technology - to meet the needs of American consumers."
U.S. automakers have seen their market share eroded in recent years, a trend many analysts and executives attribute in part to the reputation Japanese automakers like Toyota (up $0.97 to $124.67, Charts) and Honda (up $0.06 to $35.49, Charts) have established for offering better fuel economy.
Like other automakers GM (up $0.06 to $35.40, Charts, Fortune 500) and Ford (down $0.04 to $8.82, Charts, Fortune 500), Chrysler is also facing the prospect of tougher federal fuel economy standards under a pending bill in the U.S. Senate that would mandate fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2020.
The current corporate average fuel economy - or CAFE standard - is 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and 22.5 for light trucks.
Klegon, who was speaking to reporters at the automaker's proving grounds, said Chrysler would introduce a new "mild hybrid" vehicle equipped with a battery pack designed to power the vehicle at stops, improving fuel efficiency.
In addition, Chrysler plans to use hybrid technology developed jointly with General Motors Corp. and BMW AG in vehicles beyond the two hybrid SUVs it had already announced that it would introduce next year.
The automaker also said it would offer a clean-burning diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee designed to meet the tougher emission standards imposed in U.S. states such as California.
The BLUETEC technology for reducing nitrogen oxides in diesel exhaust that will be used in the vehicle was developed by Chrysler's parent Daimler, which is expected to complete its sale of the unit as soon as next month.
Klegon said Chrysler was considering offering a four-cylinder diesel engine in the U.S. market, a common passenger car engine configuration in Europe that could offer fuel economy gains of up to 30 percent over gasoline engines.
Chrysler, now the fourth-largest automaker in the U.S. market, relies on sales of trucks and SUVs, such as the Dodge Durango SUV and RAM pickup truck, for almost 70 percent of its total sales at a time when U.S. consumers are increasingly demanding lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The automaker's fuel economy average for passenger cars is the lowest of the six major automakers.
In addition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was singled out by the Environmental Protection Agency this year as the lowest-ranked SUV for fuel economy in its class, with just 12 miles per gallon in city driving.
Chrysler has also lagged other automakers in rolling out hybrid vehicles. Hybrid versions of the Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs are not due in showrooms until next year.
Chrysler is investing $3 billion in new plants in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Mexico intended to produce a family of more fuel-efficient V-6 engines and components.
Chrysler said the family of "Phoenix" engines, which will be available in 2010, would produce fuel efficiency gains of between 6 percent and 8 percent over comparable current engines.
By reducing vehicle weight and improving aerodynamics, Chrysler also expects to boost its fleet-wide fuel economy at least another 5 percent, the company said.
