Chrysler jumps headlong into electric future

MarketWatch (MCT) - Chrysler LLC this week unveiled three electric cars, one slated for production in 2010, with hopes of ushering in a new era for an automaker that has been slammed in recent years for its over-reliance on big trucks and SUVs.

The so-called "production-intent" prototypes include a two-passenger Dodge sports car that rockets from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds along with a Jeep Wrangler SUV and Chrysler Town & Country minivan.

Chrysler's trio, like the coming Volt from General Motors, run on an electric engine that can be charged up in a standard wall outlet. The vehicles can also turn to a small gasoline-powered engine to recharge the battery to eke out more miles, if necessary.

The Chrysler and Jeep vehicles are expected to reach 40 miles on one charge and then another 400 miles when it turns to the gas engine.

Chrysler did not specify which one of the three would arrive first but did say that about 100 of its electric vehicles would be made available to government, business, utility and development fleets next year.

Chrysler said the first car will reach Europe after its U.S. debut in 2010.

"We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer," Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli said.

"The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market."

Chrysler is in dire need of a facelift as its sales have fallen even harder than the broader industry, which is suffering from high gas prices, the persistent housing slump, and tightening credit. Through August, Chrysler sales have dropped 24 percent compared with an 18 percent drop at GM and a 16 percent decline at Ford Motor Co.

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