Two-mode hybrid joint development disbanded; Ram hybrid coming in 2010
The big joint development program formed several years ago between General Motors, Daimler, Chrysler and BMW to develop the two-mode hybrid system for light duty vehicles is over. With all four automakers now having launched or about to introduce versions of the hybrid system, the joint program is being wound down and the Troy, Michigan office where engineers from each company collaborated will be closed by the end of this year. Most of the joint work actually ended last June and many of the staff have already been relocated to other facilities.
The Mercedes ML450 hybrid and BMW X6 ActiveHybrid are both going into production about now using a version of the two mode transmission built by Daimler.
Chrysler, which briefly built a version of the Durango and Aspen SUVs with the hybrid system last year, remains committed to re-launching the system in the Ram pickups in 2010. At this point however, it looks unlikely the planned light duty hybrid will launch anytime soon in the Ram 1500.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 2:49PM (10/27/2009)
Let's make some hybrids that people use. I know there are a lot of truck drivers out there but let's have a hybrid Charger. Better yet, why doesn't Dodge offer a better vehicle line up. Caliber? Avenger? Nitro? Dakota? Just awful. I can see why Dodge is going down the toilet. GM already tried the "hybrid" pickup truck and failed, TWICE.
Reply
Brandon 4:27PM (10/27/2009)
Another dumb 2-mode truck that no truck user would ever buy. Release a half ton diesel and truck buyers will come in droves. I live in truck country and I have never seen a single GM hybrid truck other than at the dealer. I have never talked to 1 truck buyer that would even consider buying a hybrid truck. Truck buyers don't take well to new technology, and even though there is a lot of new stuff on clean diesels, it is still something they are familiar with.
Reply
Dave 6:36PM (10/27/2009)
"I live in truck country and I have never seen a single GM hybrid truck other than at the dealer."
That makes sense. Hybrids work better in the city than in the country.
paulwesterberg 5:46PM (10/27/2009)
The 20mpg barrier has been broken!, job done.
Reply
Stan Peterson 12:37PM (10/28/2009)
Many have been waiting for the second generation dual mode transmissions in FWD and RWD versions. Those were the ones that were much lighter and meant to be used in large cars, minivans, large CUVs, and light trucks. The original dual- modes were heavy and were really meant for installation in Heavy Duty pickup trucks, Class 3-6 medium commercial trucks, and the very largest BOF SUVs.
It is impossible to tell from this release any useful information . Isn't it a shame that you get is "reporters" without a hint of knowledge about what they are reporting, do no backround research at all to even try to get educated, and haven't a clue as to the questions to get clarified.
Question : Is the second generation now complete and the engineering teams are finished and leaving?
Question: Has the second generation been abandoned, and the teams are being disbanded.
Question: Is GM pressing on alone, if the others are quitting but GM is continuiing?
Question: Is the Ram version one of the light ones for the Ram 1500; or one of the old ones for the Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, or 5500 which already are 95% T2B5 compliant diesel?
Question: Has progress on either light diesels, or HCCI for gas engines, solved the CAFE mileage problem if these dual modes are being abandoned?
Reply