Chrysler revamps electric program

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Chrysler revamps electric program

Posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 2:42 PM EST. (Employee News)

Default_companyChrysler Group LLC is restructuring its electric program as it works to develop hybrids and electric vehicles for its own brands as well as for partner Fiat SpA, The Detroit News reported.

The combination of the extra duties, a change in the lineup of electrified vehicles on tap and the adoption of Fiat’s product development system has resulted in the need to redistribute engineers who were grouped together in a special division known as ENVI under the leadership of Lou Rhodes, the paper said. “ENVI is absorbed into the normal vehicle development program,” Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told the News.

The number of employees involved in electric programs remains the same or slightly higher than under ENVI, the paper said. Some have been redeployed to the vehicle development side and others are now part of powertrain development, the story said. The News noted that Rhodes continues to oversee electric vehicle development for both Chrysler and Fiat.

During last week’s presentation of Chrysler’s five-year business and product plan, a new electric vehicle strategy emerged, the paper said. Unchanged are plans to offer a two-mode hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pickup next year, the story said. (The Detroit News)