CEO Sergio Marchionne is set to present details of his five-year plan for Chrysler. Is an electric car included in it?
Confirmed today by a board member, automakers Chrysler Group and Fiat SpA are working together to develop an electric car. This comes not long after former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli unveiled several plans for electric and gas efficient vehicles before the company files for bankruptcy protection and was purchased by Fiat SpA.
Alfredo Altavilla, CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Senior Vice President of Business Development of Fiat Group Automobiles, said the development process of the new electric engine is “going very well” during a opening of a gearbox plant in Verrone, Italy. This is the first time a executive of the Chrysler/Fiat have announced plans to develop this technology.
CEO Sergio Marchionne will be presenting an detailed 5-year plan for the U.S.-based Chrylser. Will the electric car be a part of that plan on November 4th? Marchionne will also talk about the realignment of the U.S. automaker’s brands and new products.
Questions have been floating around about Chrysler’s electric vehicles for quite some time now. Not long ago former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli unveiled a portfolio of vehicles planned last year to hit North American showrooms in 2010. Nardelli showed an all-electric powered Dodge sports car, a hybrid-powered Town & Country minivan and a Jeep Wrangler which could give a driving range between 200 and 400 miles.
Fiat has a 20% stake in Chrysler. Altavilla said that they were “working like crazy” to be able to increase it. Fiat must reach several milestones with Chrysler’s recovery from bankruptcy before it can increase its stake in the U.S. automotive market.
October 8, 2009
Car News