This also does not change the plans for the hybrid Ram next year.  Fiat/Chrysler has stated that they think EVs will account for 1-2% of their sales by 2014.  Not a big number, but a pretty realistic number.

While the hybrid Ram is still coming out next year, the Chrysler ENVI vehicle concepts are probably on shaky ground.  The minivan EV still makes the most sense in terms of up front costs (the minivan doesn’t need to be redesigned to electrify it) and market demand.  But the other two may never see the light of day.  The Jeep Wrangler is set to get a diesel engine (it’s about time too) brought over from Europe so they may decide that the diesel is good enough for now.

The Dodge Circuit EV is an electrified Lotus Elise – so a chunk of the cost in that car will end up going to Lotus.  I’m not sure that Fiat would like to be beholden to competitors for product.  They are already having issues with Diamler supplying parts for current Chrysler vehicles.

All is about to change though as Chrysler board member Alfredo Altavilla let word slip out that the company is working together with Italian owner Fiat on an upcoming EV.  News came while Altavilla was visiting Fiat’s gearbox plant in Verrone, Italy.

We should find out more on November 4 when Chrysler/Fiat release their 5 year plan.

Chrysler recently unveiled these two vehicles—along with the new Jeep Patriot EV, the updated Chrysler Town & Country EV and the updated Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV—reinforcing a commitment to developing and bringing to market a broad array of advanced electric vehicles for the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands.

“Our goal is to provide creative solutions to the challenges that our customers face around the globe,” Michael Manley, Executive Vice President—International Sales and Global Product Planning Operations, said. “We’ve made electric vehicles the primary path to developing clean vehicles for all our product lines. We will produce at least one of these vehicles for North American markets in 2010 and for European markets after 2010.”

“The partnership would also provide a return on investment for the American taxpayer by securing the long-term viability of Chrysler brands in the marketplace, sustaining future product and technology development for our country and building renewed consumer confidence, while preserving American jobs,” he said.

200C

A little smaller than the current Chrysler 300, this concept vehicle is the likely successor to the Seabring.  The theme for the 200C is connectivity.  The 200C has connections for just about everything you can think of.

“What makes the Chrysler 200C EV concept even more meaningful is the use of technology that will make traveling and managing one’s life an absolute pleasure,” Klegon added. “The 200C EV concept is a connectivity portal to the world outside, creating a rewarding relationship between driver and automobile. The result is a driving experience that celebrates the human instinct to be connected to our world.”

The design of the 200C is obviously more organic than the straight lines that cut through the air on the Chrysler 300.  The the curved body allows for better aerodynamic flow over the car resulting in better gas mileage or longer battery life.

Based on a shortened version (LY platform?) of the current rear wheel drive chrysler vehicles, the 200C provides a fun, powerful, and sporty ride.  The electric drive system similar to that in the Jeep EV and Chrysler EV allows the 200C to drive 40 silent miles on electric power alone.  After that a small gasoline engine starts up to provide extended range.

Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said Friday night in a release that the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company’s talks with the federal government about the bridge loan have been completed.

Nardelli says the initial loan will allow Chrysler to continue its restructuring and pursue “our vision to build the fuel-efficient, high-quality cars and trucks people want to buy, will enjoy driving and will want to buy again.”

The money will come from the $700 billion fund set aside to bailout Wall Street firms and banks in October.

GM will get $9.4 billion from the first allocation of federal loan money, while Chrysler would get the other $4 billion.

The loans are for three years but the money will have to be repaid in full within 30 days if the firms do not show themselves to be viable by March 31. It is expected that the companies will have to negotiate new agreements with unions and creditors in order to do so.

“Government has a responsibility to safeguard the broader health and stability of our economy,” he said. “If we were to allow the free market to take its course now, it would almost certainly lead to disorderly bankruptcy and liquidation for the automakers.”

“In the midst of a financial crisis and a recession, allowing the U.S. auto industry to collapse is not a responsible course of action,” Bush added.

Conditions similar to auto bailout bill

The terms of the loan are similar to those set in the auto bailout legislation that was passed by the House last week but was shot down in the Senate. Executives at GM and Chrysler must agree to limits on their compensation and eliminate perks such as corporate jets. The companies also must issue warrants, which convert into non-voting stock, to the government.

The loans do not include the concept of a so-called “car czar” to oversee the automakers, although it does say that a designee of the President would determine if the automakers are making the changes necessary for them to be considered viable.

The Bush administration official said that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson would fill that role in the remaining days of the current administration.

The loans call for the automakers to prove they are viable by March 31, even though they are not expected to be profitable by that date. They must submit the details of the plans by Feb. 17.

Source: CNNMoney

Thus, Chrysler’s big EV plans are to forgo aerodynamics, weight and fancy designs. Instead, Chrysler will begin its EV program by converting traditional Chrysler vehicles into electric vehicles, while achieving the same kinds of performance as a Volt – all at a cheaper cost to the automaker and to consumers.

So, why didn’t GM think of that?

Find the answer at the link

“While the situation in Washington remains dynamic, I am very encouraged by the developments over the weekend and the growing interest shown by Congress and the administration to provide needed financial assistance to the three Detroit automakers,” he said in a memo to employees obtained by the Free Press.

He cautioned that “this process is far from over.”

Chrysler has asked for $7 billion by the end of the month and has warned that without immediate help its liquidity could fall below the level necessary to sustain the company through the first three months of 2009.

Source: Freep

The vehicles — the Dodge EV, Jeep(R) EV and Chrysler EV — will be on display during press days (Nov. 19-20), and throughout the show’s public days (Nov. 21-30). Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler LLC, will attend the show tomorrow to discuss the vehicles with journalists.

Chrysler recently announced that at least one of these models will be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. Additionally, the Company will have close to one hundred electric vehicles on the road in government, business and development fleets in 2009.

Chrysler is well into the development of advanced production-intent electric vehicles, and will apply its electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.

“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,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO – Chrysler LLC. “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.”

Electric Vehicle Technology

Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles utilize just three primary components. These include an electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications.

Source