Chrysler's new "Envi" Division

Lots of really interesting Chrysler information in the news lately.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/13/news/companies/chrysler_envi/index.htm?section=money_latest

Chrysler creates electric vehicle division
First task for new organization will be to create a hybrid vehicle from scratch.
By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer
September 13 2007: 2:15 PM EDT


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Chrysler has created a new division of the company aimed at creating electric-drive vehicles and related advanced-propulsion technologies.

The new organization, called Envi, will be headed by Lou Rhodes who had been in charge of "Advance Vehicle Concepts and Innovation" at Chrysler. In that role, he had led the early stages of engineering development and strategy.

The group's will be dedicated solely to creating production vehicles, not basic engineering research, said Nick Cappa, a Chrysler spokesman.

Envi's first task will be to design a new type of hybrid vehicle, said Cappa. The division could also work on more advanced technologies such a hydrogen fuel cells, he said.

The new hybrid vehicle would be designed, from the start, as a hybrid, as were the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, the first hybrids to be marketed in the United States, said Cappa.

Most hybrid models now sold are modified versions of gasoline powered cars and SUVs already on the market.

Chrysler's first hybrids, for example, will be versions of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs. They're expected to come to market in late 2008.

Those vehicles will use a "two-mode" hybrid system developed by Chrysler's former parent company, DaimlerChrysler, in conjunction with General Motors and BMW.

"The creation of Envi allows us to focus on the development of a new generation of environmentally responsible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles," said Robert Nardelli, Chrysler's chairman and CEO, in a company announcement. "Under Lou's leadership, Envi will develop electric-propulsion vehicles that will provide customers with more fuel-efficient vehicle options."

Envi will be made up of a team of specialists in engineering, manufacturing and procurement, the company said.

"Envi will operate as a 'start-up' with an entrepreneurial environment," said Thomas LaSorda, Chrysler president, in a corporate announcement. "The organization is empowered to leverage the vast resources within Chrysler to develop appropriate solutions quickly."

Chrysler's sales have suffered because of an over-reliance on fuel-inefficient truck-based vehicles and cars powered by large V8 engines. The company has focused on bringing more small, fuel-efficient crossover SUVs, like the new Jeep Patriot and the just-unveiled Dodge Journey, to market.

Jim Press, who used to head Toyota's U.S. operations, recently joined Chrysler as head of sales and marketing. He shares the titles of president and vice chairman with former Chrylser CEO LaSorda.

Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management bought Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler in August. Former Home Depot chief executive Nardelli joined the company as CEO shortly thereafter.

Hmm, Cerberus may be a good thing for Chrysler. It is amaizing that at one time Chrysler had the cheapest production cost in the industry.

It seems that Chrysler has gone from being on a solid road to recovery to being shifted into warp drive. Seems every other day, there's new news coming out of Chrysler.

With the CEO stating that performance and Hemis are part of Chrysler's DNA, thet the company has relied too much on trucks for profits, to bringing in the former head of Toyota USA's marketing & GM's former China chief, to plans to cut back on some models (can you say Patriot?), and now a new group within the company to get serious about enviro-friendly vehicles (which no doubt will make it far easier to sell Hemis and performance cars even with higher CAFE standards), it's a shame I can no longer buy Chrysler stock or trade in my Daimler stock for Chrysler.

Seems GM and now Chrysler have layed down the foundation that will ensure they're both going to be around for alot longer.

Now it's Ford's turn.

Seems GM and now Chrysler have layed down the foundation that will ensure they're both going to be around for alot longer.

They still need better financial controls, a more sophisticated approach to quality, a Lutz-like product guru, and some more help in the design office beyond "Tom Gale will consult every now and then."

But they're on their way, for sure, and I like the pace.

I wrote an editorial about GM redeveloping the Geo brand as an all hybrid brand, from BAS, 2 Mode and E-Flex systems, sold through Chevy dealers. It seems that if this brand takes off, that Chrysler will have more success with GM's Two-Mode then GM will...

...(can you say Patriot?)

I think you meant to say Compass, didn't you?

The Patriot has MUCH more Jeep DNA than Compass, and it can go offroad to boot.

Now that the Patriot is out, Compasses are rotting...just as I suspected. Patriots? Can't get enough of them...I really like 'em too, actually!

Hmm...I just noticed the name Envi is 'similar' to Envy.

Perhaps Chrysler is going to use a certain Southpark episode as advertisement.

I took this to mean there would be an Envi brand, not just an Envi model. Someone on this board once said Toyota was going to make a Prius brand, a whole line of products. Interesting that Chrysler has beat them to the punch on that. Lets hope the Volt beats the Prius plug-in, too.

Also of note, I just read where Chrysler recalled somethign short of 400,000 2006 and 2007 SUVs. That's not a great way for Cerberus to start its Chrysler reign, but better now than later.

It seems that Chrysler has gone from being on a solid road to recovery to being shifted into warp drive. Seems every other day, there's new news coming out of Chrysler.

With the CEO stating that performance and Hemis are part of Chrysler's DNA, thet the company has relied too much on trucks for profits, to bringing in the former head of Toyota USA's marketing & GM's former China chief, to plans to cut back on some models (can you say Patriot?), and now a new group within the company to get serious about enviro-friendly vehicles (which no doubt will make it far easier to sell Hemis and performance cars even with higher CAFE standards), it's a shame I can no longer buy Chrysler stock or trade in my Daimler stock for Chrysler.

Seems GM and now Chrysler have layed down the foundation that will ensure they're both going to be around for alot longer.

Now it's Ford's turn.


Hmmmm.... on chryslers example alone, it would seem that Ford's shareholders should [censored] can thier entire current management completely and ASAP.

Hmmmm.... on chryslers example alone, it would seem that Ford's shareholders should [censored] can thier entire current management completely and ASAP.

I think Alan Mullany has the right approach, but I don't see any speed towards changes.

Chrysler seems to be going on a talent shopping spree. General Motors went on one as soon as Wagoner took over some years ago, and they're starting to reap the benefits. I have a hard time believing that the same group that ran Ford into the ground are suddenly going to be better, more stellar executives simply because they have a new CEO.


I think you meant to say Compass, didn't you?...

Correct.

If I can't keep those 2 straight....... :o

Anyone know approximately what life Chrysler's on right now? Many in the media had already resigned themselves to talking about the "Big Two" since Chrysler was foriegn owned and left for dead. Now it's back.

So the real question is, what types of cars can we expect to see from the "new" Chrysler. The company has always been able to produce an ace just when it's needed it, so what can we hope to see this time?

I wrote an editorial about GM redeveloping the Geo brand as an all hybrid brand, from BAS, 2 Mode and E-Flex systems, sold through Chevy dealers. It seems that if this brand takes off, that Chrysler will have more success with GM's Two-Mode then GM will...

Geo.....you're kidding, right?

I wrote an editorial about GM redeveloping the Geo brand as an all hybrid brand, from BAS, 2 Mode and E-Flex systems, sold through Chevy dealers. It seems that if this brand takes off, that Chrysler will have more success with GM's Two-Mode then GM will...
A brand might make sense, even if the Geo name does not. I would suggest more of a sub brand - along the lines of GM Performance division. Give every brand in the GM lineup an ECO-friendly car tied to a unified name.

My first target for this sub-brand? HUMMER. If there is any brand in this industry in need of an image makeover, it's the so-called "Dick Cheney" of the auto industry. Release fuel sipping versions of Hummer's biggest, nastiest vehicles, and use them as the eco-brand's flagship.

It would tout GM's technical prowess and destroy the perception that SUV's automatically equal global warming-inducing, terror-funding smog machines.

GM already has the technology on hand - DOD, Hydrids, Flex Fuel, and direct injection. Most people who know anything about the auto industry will tell you that GM has invested more in this stuff than any other company. They do indeed need a unified sub-brand to call attention to this leadership.

I wonder what press GM would get if it were to release a new generation of the H1 powered by the hybrid VVT AFM DGI 6.2L on E85 backed by the 6L90? Or maybe a DGI VVT AFM equipped BBC? :D

I just noticed that the H2 is now powered by the L92 with VVT with the 6L80.

Geo.....you're kidding, right?

Not at all. The brand was designed to have economical cars in the 90's, and the Geo name reflected the concern for the Earth. The Geo name would have the same meaning using hybrid cars as a full division, BAS, 2mode and Eflex systems used in cars based off of the Delta II platform.