Chrysler's financial woes continue to impact its production lines as it announced its Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrid SUVs will be discontinued, effective immediately. The two hybrids were announced less than a year ago and had only been in full-scale production for a mere two months. Chrysler announced the move to discontinue in the face of declining SUV demand and its desire to focus on the hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pickup.
The move was not limited to just the hybrid versions of the Aspen and Durango. Chrysler spokesman Scott Brown announced: "The demand for our full-size SUVs has really dropped off this year. Even though we got significant orders for the hybrids, it doesn't make sense to keep the plant open for just the hybrids." The Delaware plant where the two SUVs are being currently produced will be revamped to focus on production of the Dodge Ram, starting in the first half of next year.
Both the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango were Chrysler's first hybrid vehicles. They were unveiled at the L.A. auto show last November. The hybrid system used in the SUVs was the latest Two-Mode version, which paired an electric motor with a HEMI V-8 engine. The Two-Mode had been co-developed with GM and BMW.
Source: Motor Authority