Every model to offer alternative-fuel version
James Press, the Chrysler vice chairman recruited last month from Toyota Motor Corp., told The Detroit News today that Chrysler "absolutely" expects to provide a hybrid, diesel or other environmentally-friendly version of each of its cars and trucks.
"Every car will be impacted by advances in power-train," Press said in an interview with The News. "Plug-in hybrid, diesel hybrid, fuel-cell hybrid, a petrol hybrid they’re all in the mix."
Press declined to identify a time frame, but emphasized that Chrysler is accelerating its "greener" vehicle development after lagging behind rivals such as Toyota and Honda Motor Co.
He said that Cerberus Capital Management, the new owner of privately held Chrysler, is committed to spending heavily on advanced power-train designs that use less fuel and preserve the environment.
"Cerberus has opened up the wallet to make (capital expenditures) especially in the area of product development and technology," Press said.