The Auto Writer

Chrysler has entered the hybrid segment with two powerful, but more fuel efficient SUVs. The Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen are being built at the company's Newark, Delaware plant and will be in showrooms this fall.

A decade since Honda rolled out its hybrid Insight to the world, Chrysler has finally launched its first hybrid vehicles, a pair of big SUVs with V8 HEMI engines. The Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango are both adding a hybrid version to their model lines, giving consumers one more choice when it comes to hybrid shopping.

Long after the Toyota Prius wrested control of hybrid leadership from Honda and after General Motors, BMW, Volkswagen, Ford, and other manufacturers launched their own hybrid vehicles, Chrysler’s first pair of gas-electric vehicles are now being built and are among the largest hybrids produced.

First MOPAR Hybrids

Competing with the likes of the GMC Yukon Hybrid, Chrysler is hoping that shoppers will note the $8000 savings vs. the Yukon and select the Aspen or Durango. Both vehicles will retail in the neighborhood of $45,500 a price that includes destination. Chrysler expects that U.S. buyers will also be available for a $1800 tax credit from the IRS.

Two-Mode Hybrids

Chrysler will be using the same two-mode hybrid technology developed with General Motors, Daimler, and BMW. When operating with a reduced load or at low speeds, the SUVs will be able to run on electric power only, gas power, or a combination of the two. The second mode is used chiefly when driving at highway speeds. In addition to electric assist, the second mode provides full power from engine when conditions demand it, such as when passing, pulling a trailer or climbing a steep grade.

During the two EVT modes, the system can use the electric motors to improve fuel economy, acceleration, and for regenerative braking to utilize energy that would normally be lost during braking or deceleration. The energy is stored in the batteries for later use.

Fuel Economy Improvements

With an estimated 19 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, the Chrysler hybrids sound anything but fuel efficient. However, when compared to their gasoline-only relatives which deliver 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, the savings are clearer, especially around town. Look for these SUVs to be popular with sporting enthusiasts as well as for large families.

(Source: Chrysler LLC)

Currently in its first generation, the compact BLS will be redesigned for the 2011 model year. When it arrives in Europe, will it also be made available stateside or does GM have something else in mind?

Imagining the BLS

Sometimes I like to imagine myself working as an executive at a leading automaker with the ultimate decision on which models will be built, how they will look, and what options will be made available. A benevolent dictator whose decisions would be final, above reproach, and respected by all.

Then again, I can think of only one privately held automaker and a handful of executives who weld that kind of influence (Carlos Ghosn, the force behind Renault and Nissan, comes to mind), so bear with me — I must be losing my own mind.

Influencing General Motors, Particularly Cadillac

If I could influence the powers to be at General Motors, I would recommend some additional changes for their premium brand, Cadillac. Not too many changes, mind you, but just enough to introduce one new model (BLS) and do away with another one (Escalade). GM is already planning to combine the STS and DTS into one, new model so I have no advice to give there. Nor do I have anything other to say than to give my “kudos” on the expanded CTS line with a coupe and a sport wagon as well as the next generation of that lovely SRX crossover. What I really want to see is a car like the BLS made available for the North American market.

Looks like my dream is coming true.

According to Auto News, which broke this story on Monday, Cadillac is planning to build a new sedan for the North American market, a car sporting a four cylinder engine. The only debate left is whether to offer an optional V6 and I say, “End that debate now — by all means do!”

Shades of Cimarron if Cadillac makes this sedan seem like anything else in the GM fold.

Can We Forget the Cimarron and the Catera Now?

I’m old enough to remember when Cadillac successfully built their first small car, the Seville, in the 1970s, but I also recall the forgettable (and embarrassing) Cimarron of the 1980s, followed by the ho-hum Catera of the 1990s. It wasn’t until the CTS showed up in 2002 that my confidence in GM’s ability to build a smaller Cadillac was restored, making those Cimarron/Catera memories fade a bit. Truly, the current version of the CTS is a wonderful car, but I fear that what could be slotted below it would diminish Cadillac all over again.

Then again, hope springs eternal and a car like the BLS (now built for Cadillac and serving a primarily European market) could do wonders for Cadillac especially as people’s tastes shift from V8 power to most anything economical.

I just don’t want GM to repeat an earlier mistake (Cimarron) by not offering an optional V6 from the outset or even a V6 that isn’t Cadillac quality (Catera). Please, stay away from the dumb commercials too as they tend to insult people’s intelligence; if you need PR help, I’m available.

Automotive manufacturers are often treated as the public whipping boy when it comes to environmental issues. True, car makers play a significant role in environmental impact when it comes to the vehicles they build and sell, but consumer demand plays an even greater role in what the car companies will develop in the first place. One only needs to look at the current sudden shift from big trucks and SUVs to compact cars to see how the winds of change can shift quickly.

The NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) is a federal entity under the Department of Transportation umbrella. The NHTSA is tasked with writing and enforcing safety, theft-resistance, and fuel economy standards for motor vehicles, the latter under its CAFE or Corporate Average Fuel Economy system.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) is a business trade association of ten car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. This association speaks as one voice to address issues pertaining to the automotive industry.

Ever since the NHTSA stated that fuel economy standards should be raised to a corporate average of 31.6 mpg by 2015 in a bid to reduce carbon emissions, the AAM has been working on a response. Last week, The Detroit News reported that the NHTSA assessment was, “…at different points “illogical,” “wholly inconsistent” and that the agency “misunderstands” other arguments, while vastly overstating the benefits improving fuel economy. Automakers argued the agency “improperly exaggerates the environmental benefits that its discretionary choices appear to achieve.”

In other words the AAM is disagreeing with the NHTSA’s assessment, criticizing them for putting the environmental burden squarely on the back of the auto industry alone. For its part the NHTSA claims that hiking fuel efficiency standards will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The AAM contends that this conclusion is incorrect as consumers will simply keep their cars longer as automakers will be forced to pass on the costs of building more fuel efficient cars to automotive buyers. The AAM also criticized the NHTSA’s analysis of climate change, contending that the conclusions the federal government is making about this problem are not factually based.

The NHTSA’s proposals are currently in the comment phase, where the administration is taking public feedback including what the auto industry has to say before issue their final ruling. That ruling isn’t expected to take place before the Fall.