Chrysler's advanced powertrain moves

Is the Aspen hybrid good for Chrysler's future?

Last week Chrysler released a press release announcing how advanced powertrains would play an "essential role" in the new Chrysler's ability to meet customer expectations for "quality, performance, and fuel economy".

Flex fuel, clean diesel, and hybrid vehicles were touted, which is good. Yet, all of these new powertrains are almost exclusively focused upon Chrysler's biggest vehicles, such as 5.7 liter Hemis.

Amidst the mortgage meltdown and high energy prices coupled with increasing Middle East turmoil, can the future for Chrysler really be so successful it if so focused on its largest vehicles? Certainly, hybrid technology, or clean diesel technology, can make these gas-guzzlers more fuel efficient, but at a greater expense when consumers have less to spend on automobiles.

Obviously, gas-guzzlers are Chrysler's bread and butter, and the automaker must continue to make such vehicles in order to survive, particularly in the short term. Nonetheless, isn't it time for Chrysler to make a dramatic push in a completely new direction?

Can Hemis really be the foundation of Chrysler's future success?