The Chrysler, Ford and Chevy Volt?
America's hybrid?According to Reuters Chrysler views manufacturing alliances with other automakers as the key to Chrylser's success. And, if fuel economy remains a significant factor for American consumers, Chrysler's alliance with GM on dual mode hybrid vehicles will only increase in importance.
Might this lead to an alliance with GM and its E Flex technology that will power the Chevy Volt? Considering that Chrysler showed off a similar range extended EV technology concept at the last Detroit Auto Show, such a move seems quite plausible.
Likewise, there are rumors coming out of Ford, which currently licenses hybrid technology from Toyota, about a possible licensing agreement with GM on the Volt's E Flex technology.
Obviously, such alliances would be great for GM, but would they make sense for Ford and Chrysler as well? Considering each company's approach to hybrids thus far, such a move seems very real. And, it would probably simplify things for US auto suppliers.
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
10:43 AM
4 Comments:
I would love to see an agreement like this go through if they can implement it with vehicles on the road in say the next 3-5 years. US automakers banding together to save their asses is priceless but could work.
I really think its the supply chains that would be most affected by creating a standard for all three US auto makers. That could help scale down many electric drive costs faster than if all 3 US automakers were competing against each other with different technologies.
If the Volt and the E Flex are going to move forward, an alliance between the Big 3 might be the best - even only - way forward.
Consider that European airlines for the most part became national, by country, years ago and based on consolidation and global competition, we may see the same in the US before too long.
Consolidation in the auto-industry has also occurred due to receding companies being eaten up or combining forces for as long as that industry has existed. It is quite possible that industry changing technologies, especially non-petroleum energy-using-technologies (or at least petroleum-sipping) will drive large scale consolidation in the auto industry. Will the big-3 become US-Motors within 20 years? Who's to say?
More than anything, I just hope that there is at least one major us automaker in 20 years.
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