Lithium ion battery pack in the Fiat 500EV.
Chrysler Group LLC today announced its plans to engineer and manufacture a dedicated electric vehicle using the tiny Fiat 500 platform.
The Fiat 500EV debuted earlier this year at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, where Chrysler did not conduct any press conferences for the first time in decades.
“The alliance with Fiat presented new opportunities to merge Chrysler Group engineering knowledge with new platforms and the Fiat 500EV is an outstanding example of our efforts,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President Engineering–Chrysler Group LLC. “The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology.”
Beginning in 2012, Chrysler will manufacture the Fiat 500EV for the United States market. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
No dearth of supply for upcoming EVs. Supply of buyers is another matter entirely.
Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but will be competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market.
Last year Chrysler announced the company’s intention to build the Fiat 500 with a combustion engine for North America.
The vehicle will debut in late 2010.