Chrysler today announced a new engineering division, called ENVI, that will focus on designing and building electric and hybrid vehicles. The ENVI division will be lead by Lou Rhodes, who has worked at Chrysler’s advanced vehicle engineering organization and product design office.

“The creation of ENVI allows us to focus on the development of a new generation of environmentally responsible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles,” Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli said in a statement today.

Chrysler hopes to portray a ’startup’ atmosphere within the division. “ENVI will operate as a startup with an entrepreneurial environment,” said Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda.

ENVI’s main mission will be to design new vehicles that use pure electric or hybrid powertrains. According to Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa, ENVI will not be involved in converting any current vehicles in Chrysler’s lineup into hybrids.

Maybe we can expect a concept in the upcoming auto shows.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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