Hong Kong Witnesses First Aston Martin One-77 Crash

2013 Volkswagen CC Gets Sporty R-Line Trim

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Weather Forecast
Sarrazin Gains Final Seat For Toyota Racing At Le Mans

Indy 500 Carb Day Practice To Franchitti; Dixon Takes IZOD Pit...

Volkswagen Golf R Cabrio Patent Photos Revealed
2013 Cadillac XTS Configurator Launched

BMW Zagato Coupe Unveiled At Villa d'Este

New Firestone Indy Lights Formula For 2014

Chrysler confirms plans to discontinue Aspen and Durango hybrid SUVs

Kenneth Hall

Author

LATEST ARTICLE
Electric Supercharger Offers Diesel Efficiency For Gasoline Engines
Existing hybrid technology uses electrical energy stored in a battery to power an electric motor... Read More

N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
1031ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
0COMMENTS POSTED

2 2,669 views Oct 25, 2008

Decision comes less than two months after the start of production of Chrysler’s HEMI hybrid SUVs

Enlarge Photo

Chrysler has announced that it will discontinue its Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango full-size hybrid SUVs less than a year after first revealing them and only two months into their full-scale production. The main reason behind the move is the closing of the Delaware plant where they are made. Instead, Chrysler will focus on launching a hybrid version of its full-size Dodge Ram pickup in the first half of next year.

"The demand for our full-size SUVs has really dropped off this year," Chrysler spokesman Scott Brown told Edmunds. "Even though we got significant orders for the hybrids, it doesn't make sense to keep the plant open for just the hybrids."

Both SUVs were the first hybrid vehicles that Chrysler had produced, and were unveiled in November last year at the LA Auto Show. The hybrid system used in the Aspen and Durango was the latest Two-Mode version co-developed with General Motors and BMW, and paired an electric motor with a Hemi-V8 engine.

The move is in line with Chrysler's current strategy of cutting expenses and raising liquid capital. The Detroit manufacturer recently announced plans to sell the Dodge Viper sports car business, as well as to lay off over 4,000 workers in order to cut its costs.

Posted in:

2008 Dodge Chrysler News Hybrid Dodge Durango Chrysler Aspen

Contribute

Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor

People Who Read This Article Also Read

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Comments (2)

Michael D Posted: 10/25/2008 3:08pm PDT

Sadly, that was a short run, perhaps one of the shortest in automotive history. I wonder of porduction of the hybrid Aspen/Durango could be picked up at another manufacturing plant? I would think it could fit into the fold.

The Ram, I know, would get that Hybrid/Hemi-powerplant, but, also, so could the next-generation 300 & Charger, maybe even a version of the Challenger.

Post Reply

Vote

Bad stuff?

NoNameDenton Posted: 10/26/2008 8:21pm PDT