Chrysler Uconnect Web
Chrysler LLC Uconnect Web is a system that brings wireless Internet connectivity to any Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle, via a wi-fi "hot-spot". According to Chrysler LLC, the hotspot range will extend approximately 100 feet (30 m) from the vehicle in all directions, and will combine both WiFi and 3G cellular connectivity. Uconnect is available on several current and was available on several discontinued Chrysler models including the Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring, Town and Country, Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Journey, Nitro, and Ram.[27]
Fiat
Fiat Auto plans to sell seven of its vehicles in the U.S. by 2014, while Fiat-controlled Chrysler Group is to supply nine models to sell under Fiat brands in the European market, according to a five-year plan rolled out on 21 April 2010 in Turin, Italy, by Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. At least five of the Fiat Auto models are expected to be marketed in the U.S. under its Lancia brand. Showing the level of integration envisioned, a Lancia product introduction timeline shows Chrysler-built compact and full-size SUVs going on sale in 2012 and 2014, respectively, as Lancias in both European and North American markets.[28]
Domestic sales
It is reported that Chrysler was heavy on fleet sales in 2010, hitting as high as 56 percent of total sales in February of that year. For the whole year, 38 percent of sales of Chrysler went to fleet customers. The industry average was 19 percent. However, the company hopes to reduce its fleet sales to the industry average in 2011 with a renewed product lineup.[29]
Global sales
Chrysler is the smallest of the "Big Three" United States automakers (Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors). Chrysler is the world's 16th largest vehicle manufacturer as ranked by OICA in 2009.[30] Total Chrysler vehicle production was about 0.96 million that year.
Marketing
Calendar Year US Chrysler Sales %Chg/yr.
1999[31] 2,638,561
2000 2,522,695 4.4%
2001[32] 2,273,208 9.9%
2002[33] 2,205,446 3%
2003 2,127,451 3.5%
2004[34] 2,206,024 3.7%
2005[34] 2,304,833 4.5%
2006[26] 2,142,505 7%
2007[26] 2,076,650 3.1%
2008[35] 1,453,122 30%
2009[36] 931,402 36%
2010[37] 1,085,211 17%
In 2007, Chrysler began to offer vehicle lifetime powertrain warranty for the first registered owner or retail lessee.[38] The deal covered owner or lessee in U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, for 2009 model year vehicles, and 2006, 2007 and 2008 model year vehicles purchased on or after July 26, 2007. Covered vehicles excluded SRT models, Diesel vehicles, Sprinter models, Ram Chassis Cab, Hybrid System components (including transmission), and certain fleet vehicles. The warranty is non-transferable.[39] However, after Chrysler's restructuring, the warranty program was replaced by five-year/100,000 mile transferrable warranty for 2010 or later vehicles.[40] As of October 5, 2009, Dodge's car and truck line are now split into two, "Dodge" for cars, minivans and crossovers and "Ram" for light and medium duty trucks and other commercial-use vehicles.[41]
Chrysler plans for Lancia to codevelop products, with some vehicles being shared. Olivier Francois, Lancia's CEO, was appointed to the Chrysler division in October 2009. Francois plans to reestablish the Chrysler brand as an upscale brand.[42]
Electric vehicles
The first electric vehicle produced by Chrysler was the 1992 Dodge EPIC concept minivan. In 1993, Chrysler began to sell a limited-production electric minivan called the TEVan; however, this minivan did not gain much popularity throughout its lifetime. In 1997, a second generation, called the EPIC, was released. It was discontinued after 1999.
Chrysler intended to pursue new drive concepts through ENVI, an in-house organization formed to focus on electric-drive vehicles and related technologies. Established in September, 2007, Chrysler's ENVI division led by Lou Rhodes specifically deals with new all-electric and hybrid vehicles not based on existing models.[citation needed]
Chrysler LLC brought a wide range of green vehicles to the Detroit Auto Show, including three concept vehicles that incorporate electric drive technologies:
1.The Dodge ZEO concept—short for "Zero Emissions Operation"—is an all-electric sport wagon combining a 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack with a 200-kilowatt (268 horsepower) electric motor. The rear-wheel-drive vehicle accelerates to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than six seconds and has a range of at least 250 miles (400 km). There is also a plug-in hybrid electric version.
2.The Chrysler ecoVoyager concept combines a similar battery pack and motor with a small hydrogen fuel cell to achieve a 300-mile (480 km) range. The vehicle can travel about 40 miles (64 km) on battery power alone and can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than eight seconds.
3.The Jeep Renegade concept, a plug-in hybrid, combines a lithium-ion battery pack with dual 200 kW (270 hp) electric motors on each axle. The Jeep can travel 40 miles (64 km) on battery power alone and can travel 400 miles (640 km) with the help of its 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder clean diesel engine. The vehicle features a lightweight aluminum architecture.
Chrysler is also currently planning at least three hybrid vehicles, the Chrysler Aspen hybrid, Dodge Durango hybrid, and the Dodge Ram hybrid including HEMI engines.
Chrysler has also been experimenting with a Hybrid Diesel truck for military applications.
Chrysler has debuted:[43][44]
the Dodge EV, an all electric sports car based on the Lotus Europa, with plans for a 120 mph (190 km/h) top speed and a range of 150 to 200 miles (240–320 km).
plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), jolting the PHEV mass-production race:[45]
the Chrysler EV, a series plug-in hybrid with 40-mile (64 km) all-electric range, based on Chrysler Town & Country.
and the Jeep EV, based on a Jeep Wrangler. Chrysler is exploring in-wheel electric motors for this vehicle.
At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chrysler unveiled the 200C EV Concept, a sports sedan with an all-electric range of 40 miles (64 km) and an extended range of about 400 miles (640 km). It also added the Jeep Patriot EV, another range-extended electric vehicle. If Chrysler does release an all-electric sports car in 2010, it will be in direct competition with two North American startup companies: Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive.[46]
Chrysler's ENVI division, which is dedicated to creating production electric drive vehicles, announced in September 2008 that Chrysler LLC will have electric vehicles in showrooms by 2010. They showed three "production intent" vehicles and stated that these are going to be the first of a broad portfolio of electric vehicles.[47]
Chrysler Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said government loans would help speed the electric technology to market. But if they aren't approved, Chrysler will have to spend limited resources on developing new technology and would have to make cuts elsewhere, possibly in employment and development of conventional products. "Unfortunately we have had to furlough many families as a result of the economy turmoil and certainly the downward spiraling in the industry," he said. "I'd like to make sure that we don't have to go further to be able to support advanced technology work."[45]
The Chrysler executives said the day is coming when the whole Chrysler fleet has electric powertrains. "The goal is to achieve fundamental technology, get economies of scale, improve our ability to make the future generations more robust, less cost, smaller, more powerful, better performance," Press said. "Ultimately it will lead to a transformation of our entire fleet that will be in some manner electric drive."[45]
We chose a technology -- one in which we had the most experience, and which is most accessible to the consumer, and that's electricity.