Chrysler, GM Plan Just 2,600 Hybrids Next Year - Unavailable Most Areas

[hatrack]

DETROIT -- Consumers looking for hybrid pickups at dealerships selling Chrysler group or General Motors brands will have a hard time finding them. Dodge will build just 100 diesel-electric 2005 Ram pickups. The division will sell them to fleet customers such as utility companies.

None will be available to consumers this year or next - and the trucks may never be available to the general public, says Frank Klegon, Chrysler group's vice president of product development process and components.

Starting in August, GM will build only 2,500 gasoline-electric hybrid versions of the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The trucks will be available to consumers only in Florida, California, Nevada, Alaska, Oregon and Washington, says John Schwegman, Silverado's marketing manager.

EDIT

Last August, GM officials rolled out an aggressive plan to launch up to five hybrid models by 2007. The automaker said it would have the ability to build up to 1 million hybrids per year. But it appears that GM has backed off from its earlier enthusiasm for hybrid vehicles, says Walter McManus, executive director for global forecasting at J.D. Power. "They are taking a wait-and-see approach to see if people will buy it," McManus says."

EDIT

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=6014

[judge_smales]

1. And 10 years from now

they will be back in Washington begging Congress to impose tarriffs
on Japaneese hybrids- because "It's not fair that Japan makes 'em better
than we do. They're cheating!! They had a head start!!"

[NNadir]

4. You must have lived through the 1970's. Plus ca change...

[cprise]

2. But they will be talked about CONSTANTLY in the media

To the point where your ears will start to bleed.

[phantom power]

3. "wait and see approach" ???

"to see if people will buy it" ???

Toyota and Honda can't make their hybrids fast enough. Have these guys picked up a newspaper in the last two years?

[midnight armadillo]

5. "Booo-hoooo Japan is eating our lunch AGAIN!"

Expect to see GM, Ford, et.al. running to the feds in 3-5 years bitching how they need protection from the Japanese since their sales have fallen through the floor in the face of higher gas prices.

[phantom power]

6. better than that -- they'll probably ask for a bail-out

So our tax dollars can subsidize their lack of vision and poor performance.