CHRYSLER FIAT ALIANCE ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

Since its introduction to the world over one century ago, the world has become more dependant on the automobile than ever before. In the beginning, the automobile was considered a luxury and could only be obtained by those who could afford one. In the midst of the depression, the concept of mass production was introduced and the automobile began taking exciting new forms. The military, agriculture sector, and business sector brought on the need for do anything go anywhere SUV’s, pickup trucks and cargo vans we still produce today. The forties and fifties opened up an exciting new possibility with the big body and performance cars. The fuel crisis of the seventies bred smaller more fuel efficient cars which still remain today. The late eighties and early nineties were an innovative time that brought some industry first’s with the minivan, the mighty SUV, and a new class of compact cars capable of astounding performance. The new millennium created an overwhelming variety of foreign vehicles and ushered in a consciousness of depleting natural resources and environmental crisis. Throughout the history of the automobile, change and restructuring has been inevitable and mandatory and heading into yet another decade, 2010 and beyond will be no exception.

With the crisis facing our global economy, environment, the automotive industry must change at an accelerated pace. And the urgency has never been greater. We must accelerate our thinking, our technologies, and our comprehension of basic transportation and do this in an environmentally and economically responsible manner. These are obstacles the industry has never faced before and our realization of this has come swiftly with little time to prepare. With the financial collapse of two industry leaders there is much hope in restructuring and the birth of a new era.
From the standpoint of Chrysler, a new leaner, stronger, and more efficient company has been born. Our recent alliance with Fiat, a global leader in advanced fuel efficiency technologies, cost efficient manufacturing, and corporate responsibility. There are many exciting vehicles, technologies and designs currently being examined and tested. With the possibility of advanced Hybrid, Diesel, and full electric vehicles only a few short months away, this is an exciting time for the industry, The merger between Chrysler and Fiat allows two world class automotive manufacturers, the ability offer the consumer vehicles which address the environmental and economical demands of today and into the future. Chrysler alone has proven that it has the motivation to align itself with other world class manufacturers with the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance which produces industry leading fuel efficient engines. We formed an alliance with Jatco, the industry leader in second generation Continuously Variable Transmissions contributing to fuel economy and ride quality. Our investment into clean, efficient, environmentally friendly fuel sources such as ethanol and Bluetech diesel. An ongoing commitment to Hybrid technology with industry leaders BMW and GM, bringing to market an advanced two mode Hybrid available in our Chrysler Aspen and soon available in the award winning 2009 Dodge Ran 1500. Our dedication to full electric vehicle technology we have been developing and perfecting for well over a decade means a full electric vehicle could be available to consumers in the very near future.

In the short term, the new Chrysler is dedicated to accelerating its ability to produce technologically advanced, environmentally conscious, affordable vehicle that consumers will want to own, drive, and experience. The future of the automobile as we know it today will change dramatically. This is an exciting time for innovation, the creation and security of jobs in our communities, and stretching the imagination of what an automobile manufacturer can accomplish with a fresh start. The consumer will enjoy levels of performance, refinement, and versatility never imagined possible in an automobile. And this is only the beginning.

Here's an initial shot of the Fiat 500 EV: