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.