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Durango Slated for Hybrid |
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Written by Kacey Green
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Friday, 14 April 2006 |
The Car Connection reports: 4/10DaimlerChrysler AG's top brass has never been big fans of hybrid vehicles because the company's executives believe that diesel engines offer a better and less expensive way to meeting rising demand for better fuel efficiency. The public's generally favorable perception of hybrids has given the green machines an important boost, though, despite the technology's shortcomings, DaimlerChrysler officials say. And that's why the company is bowing to market forces and is now committed to bringing out a new --
hybrid SUV within the next couple of years. The Chrysler Group confirmed last week it plans to offer a hybrid version of the Dodge Durango starting in 2008. TheDurango will be the first hybrid gas-electric vehicle offered by the Chrysler Group and will incorporate the very latest fuel-saving technology, DaimlerChrysler officials said. The addition of the hybrid powertrain also will make it easier for the Durango line to meet the tougher fuel economy standard being imposed by the federal government in the next few years.
They had to be dragged kicking and screaming into building cleaner vehicles just like Nissan, but the consumer and federal regulations won out in the end.
I can understand not wanting to do something the government is forcing you to do, but not doing something the customers want you to do is ridiculous. Daimler and Nissan, if you are in the business of making products that people want to buy, and you refuse to make something they want to buy, you are asking to go out of business.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 14 April 2006 )
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