The hybrid pickup truck is dead
Dead after years of developmentThe Dodge Ram hybrid pickup truck is dead, well kind of. Thanks to a $48 million dollar government grant, work will continue on a plug-in version of the Dodge Ram. Of course, if the hybrid version can't sell because of cost, can a plug-in version be any more economical?
Ultimately, citing the fact that the Chevy Silverado hybrid has been a "total flop", Joe Veltri, vice president of Chrysler's product planning, told PickupTrucks.com that there is simply no business case for large hybrid pickups.
Labels: chevy silverado hybrid, dodge ram hybrid, hybrid trucks
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:25 AM
5 Comments:
FIFY: Joe Veltri, vice president of Chrysler's product planning, told PickupTrucks.com that there is simply no business case for Chrysler's product.
AT $10,000 over the cost of a regular truck, the hybrid truck was DOA when GM tried to deploy it. Why should anything be different at Chrysler?
It still amazes me that the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid was named "Green car of the year".
I think this is a smart move by Chrysler. They'll save money by not building a truck they can't sell, but they'll continue to improve the technology using development funds from DOE loans. Someday, when it is economically feasible, they can roll out this vehicle...
Zendude-
What's your point? That other hybrid trucks might succeed?
Toyota's HSD, for instance, offers poor towing and hauling capabilities compared to non-hybrid versions, which is a similar situation for Ford hybrid trucks, if they were developed.
GM and Chrysler share the same dual mode hybrid drive, and if GM can only sell 100 hybrid trucks per month, there is no reason to believe that Chrysler could do better.
Do you still feel there is a role for hybrid trucks?
Certainly, you could make more efficient hybrid trucks, but they'd lose much of their truck-like usefulness. Likewise, mini trucks would probably work, but would there be a market?
I'm not sure Chrysler will be around much longer due to the fact that none of their current vehicles are relevant or offer anything unique. As far as hybrid trucks, I don't see a big market right now without a quantum leap in hybrid technology. Not enough benefit for the extra money unfortunately.
yeah, sadly, i have to agree.
Post a Comment
<< Home