19.05.2009 CHRYSLER WELCOMES OBAMA'S TOUGHER NEW FUEL ECONOMY LEGISLATION

DODGE CIRCUIT EV
DODGE CIRCUIT EV

Chrysler is pushing forward with the development of a new generation of electric-powered cars under the ENVI name. The Dodge Circuit EV (above) was previewed earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show.

Chrysler has welcomed President Obama's announcement today of a framework for a single national approach for fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards which will end years of wrangling between carmakers, the U.S. federal government and the state of California. Carmakers will now need to meet a fuel economy target of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, which is four years sooner than this legislation had been scheduled to be introduced.

"We thank the Administration for their leadership," Chrysler said in a statement. "Today’s announcement begins an important process of harmonising state and federal fuel economy programs. Chrysler has long been an advocate for a national approach to fuel economy as the most effective way to help the nation achieve energy security and environmental sustainability. With regulatory clarity and certainty, Chrysler and its alliance partner, Fiat, will now be able to concentrate their resources on developing a nationwide fleet of clean, fuel-efficient vehicles that will help support its revitalization and benefit American consumers.

"These fuel-efficient vehicles will feature both improvements to conventional technology and technology that is entirely new. For example, Chrysler will soon introduce an all-new, high-volume V6 engine that will deliver up to 8 percent improved fuel economy across the company’s current vehicle lineup. Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat will initially deliver consumers a world-class small engine and overall powertrain technology that will rapidly bring to market even more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly small cars.

"Chrysler’s entirely new technology will be found in vehicles developed by ENVI, an organization within Chrysler that is focused on electric vehicles as its primary clean-vehicle technology. Chrysler’s product plan includes the introduction of several production electric vehicle models by 2013. We look forward to working with the Obama administration and others as this process moves forward toward an outcome that is economically and environmentally sustainable," the Chrysler statement concluded.
 

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