Chrysler announces a new electric and hybrid vehicle division called ENVI

Lou Rhodes

Chrysler announced a new engineering division, called ENVI, that will focus on designing and building electric and hybrid vehicles. This division will be based at the automaker's headquarters near Detroit and will be headed by Lou Rhodes, who has been working for Chrysler for a long time.

The creation of ENVI allows the company to focus on the development of a new generation of environmentally responsible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. ENVI's staff will be primarily made up of specialists in engineering, manufacturing, procurement and supply.

Following this announcement, Chrysler plans to roll out its first two hybrid vehicles, a Dodge Durango and a Chrysler Aspen, somewhere in 2009. Those hybrids will use a transmission developed with General Motors and BMW.

Before Chrysler became part of DaimlerChrysler a decade ago, the firm was developing a hybrid technology. It produced a diesel-electric version of the Dodge Ram pickup that was tested by utility companies. However, the truck was never offered for sale to consumers.

Chrysler also had an active fuel cell program and built several test vehicles, but that work stopped in 2002 when the manufacturer closed its Liberty Technical Center.
photo:Chrysler